On February 28, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones, targeting US troops in the region and cities that are allies of the US. The next day, Dubai and Doha also suffered strikes. This has led to widespread flight cancellations across the region.

Rev Edmund Chan, in Dubai with his wife Ann to speak at a conference, penned the following reflection on the current situation. Salt&Light reproduces it with permission.

Explosions in Dubai. Sirens heard. Airspace closed. Flights suspended. Regional powers on edge. The markets tremble.

Crisis has a way of exposing vulnerabilities that many have quietly taken for granted.

Last Saturday, Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran. US military forces, comprising aircraft carriers and hundreds of fighter jets, are presently deployed in the Middle East.

In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drone attacks across the Gulf. Major cities, including Dubai, were targeted.

Ann and I are here in Dubai.

I was serving as the final keynote speaker for Impact Day (Middle East). And when “Operation Epic Fury” was launched last Saturday, the meeting had to be quickly wrapped up. I was told over dinner that a hotel relatively close to ours had been hit.

In response to a police notification to end the meeting early, a scheduled workshop was cancelled, everyone was called back to the hall, and the organisers requested me to reduce the message to 15 minutes, and “to go off script and share a message for such a time as this!”

I smiled. I already knew what I was going to share.

You see, as I first stepped into the hall on Thursday evening, without knowing what would happen on Saturday, the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart to share something other than what I had prepared!

The burden was so strong that I had asked one of the organisers if I could change my final message.

Come Saturday, it was done according to how the Lord has led me. And I had such a great freedom of spirit to preach His Word – that our God is “The God of the Already!” (Joshua 3:16).

Where is your confidence anchored?

Indeed, beneath the geopolitical analysis lies a deeper question for every believer: Where is your confidence anchored?

Scripture reminds us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Notice the word “present”. Not distant. Not delayed. Present.

The Psalmist continues: “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way.” The earth giving way is not just a poetic expression. It is the experience of every generation at some point. Wars erupt. Pandemic kills. Borders shift. Economies fluctuate. But through all these, God remains unshaken.

In a panicking world, the Christian leaders must be the most composed persons in the room. Not because they know what will happen next, but because they know Who reigns now. In the face of crisis, calm becomes capital; and steadiness, strength.

Our confidence is in God! When airspace closes, heaven’s throne does not. When nations posture, God purposes. When uncertainty rises, faith deepens. Our God reigns!

The will of God is totally sovereign, gloriously redemptive, sometimes puzzling, but always perfect.

Baruch HaShem!

Great days ahead,
Edmund Chan
Mentoring Leaders.
Multiplying Disciples.