“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
Only God could write timing like this.
As Purim begins, a modern-day Haman, sitting in power and certain he could continue threatening Israel indefinitely, was taken out in the days leading up to this feast. Not on our calendar. On God’s.
For decades, the Iranian regime funded terror, armed proxies, enriched uranium, and openly called for Israel’s destruction. Negotiations cycled. Warnings were issued. Deadlines passed. The threats continued.
Then, on Shabbat, it changed.
Israel and the United States moved when intelligence detected Iran’s supreme leader meeting with top security aides. The Iranian leadership gathered in broad daylight, as if the region was not already packed with U.S. military assets positioned for the moment the talks collapsed, again.
That is how pride operates.
Purim has always exposed that.
When evil grows comfortable, it assumes it will never be challenged. Purim reminds us otherwise.
Esther’s story and the timing of this week
The book of Esther in the Bible tells us the story of how Purim came to be. It is the story of a proud enemy who was defeated, out-maneuvered by Queen Esther.
Haman manipulated the King into a decree that would kill all of the Jews in the land. He believed the decree was final. He assumed the Jewish people were finished. Scripture tells us otherwise.
“So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.” Esther 7:10
As Jews around the world prepare to celebrate deliverance from Persia, nearly 50 senior Iranian leaders, including the supreme leader, were reportedly “impaled” in a single decisive strike ordered by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The timing speaks for itself.
Deliverance Has a Cost
And yet, as we celebrate Purim and the fall of the modern-day Haman, we also recognize something Scripture never hides.
Deliverance has a cost.
Over 11 innocent Israeli citizens have been killed.
Over 6 U.S. service members have been killed.
And here at home, innocent Americans have been murdered in Austin, Texas in a terror attack now being examined for motive and ideological influence.
Families in Israel are grieving. American families are grieving. And communities, like Austin, here at home are shaken.
Standing with Israel means telling the truth about evil. It also means honoring the weight of loss.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Purim reminds us that God reverses evil. It also reminds us that courage often comes with sacrifice.
Relief and grief can exist at the same time. Evil can be confronted without letting the heart become hardened.
A message that reads differently now
This past January, there was some pushback when Christian Women for Israel named President Trump as our Modern-Day Esther of the week. It was a concern that Christian Women for Israel would be politicized, and putting politicians on our merchandise stoked that fear.
Our purpose has always been to support Israel and to acknowledge leaders who defend the Jewish people, regardless of politics.
And yet, looking back today, the words “Haman Lost. We Won.” land differently.
At the time, it sounded like a strong declaration. This week, it reads like a headline. And, sounds like something President Trump might actually say today.
Because this is Purim. God does not ask His people to be timid. He raises up courage, exposes pride, and brings down the plans of those who build their power on hatred of the Jewish people.
And beneath that phrase is the anchor Scripture:
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Even in quiet moments, conviction matters. That has shaped Christian Women for Israel, because most standing with Israel is not dramatic. It is everyday. It is what gets said out loud. It is what does not get compromised. It is whether women keep showing up after the news cycle moves on.
That towel is not really about golf. It is about carrying a reminder that convictions go with you. On the course, at lunch with friends, in a conversation where Israel is being blamed, and in a moment when it would be easier to stay silent.
What to hold onto this Purim
So as Purim begins, hold onto this: God can stop what looks unstoppable.
We do not watch this as spectators. We respond as women of faith who love Israel and trust the God of Israel.
That response is practical.
Pray protection over Israel, over civilians, soldiers, and first responders.
Pray protection over the U.S. military, and over every service member in harm’s way.
Pray for innocent lives this war touches, in Israel and here at home.
Pray for wisdom for leaders making decisions that will shape the region for years.
And pray for the Iranian people.
The regime is not the people. Many Iranians have lived under fear, censorship, and brutal crackdowns. Many have wanted freedom for a long time. The hope is not only the removal of terror leadership. The hope is a different future for ordinary Iranian families, and real stability in the region.
Ending with hope
Purim does not end with ongoing threats. It ends with deliverance. It ends with hope.
Hope looks like lasting peace in the region.
Hope looks like Israeli children growing up without sirens shaping their childhood.
Hope looks like Iranian families living without fear of secret police and ideological control.
Hope looks like the end of regimes built on a culture of death.
Evil does not get unlimited time.
Today’s Prayer
Father,
Thank You that You are still the God who reverses evil plans.
Protect Israel. Guard civilians. Strengthen defenders. Give wisdom to leaders making decisions under pressure.
Comfort every grieving family, in Israel and in the United States.
Protect innocent lives here at home. Expose violence. Restrain hatred.
Bring real peace to the region. Bring freedom and dignity to the Iranian people. And bring an end to terror regimes that glorify death.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Peggy Kennedy is the co-founder of Christian Women For Israel, a global community devoted to prayer, education, and advocacy for Israel and the Jewish people. She has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, ministry, and communications, with a focus on strengthening Christian–Jewish relations and standing against antisemitism. Peggy writes on faith, Scripture, Israel, and the role of women in responding faithfully to the challenges of our time.
