Day 49 Do Not Fear

2/18/2025 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Earlier Tuesday mornings I enjoy participating with Kehilat HaCarmel's prayer watch in Israel. Unless the siren sounds, and there's a dash to the bomb shelter, they faithfully meet, as we online "members" gather. Someone shared from 1 Peter 2:9, "But you, Israel, are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This scripture reminds Israel that God chose them to be a royal priesthood, to function as His set apart people. Many have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and they still wait His return. When we pray, we are using God's own words, speaking them into the lives of people for whom we pray. Jesus is the Living Word, and His words bring life. At the present moment the people of Israel are brokenhearted, as they wait, as all of Israel holds its collective breath regarding the fate of the hostages. They have endured so many challenges and severe persecution. I guess they don't feel "chosen" some days. But we know through scripture that the Lord will never go against His covenant. Continuing in verse 10: "who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." In the beloved psalms of David, Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul." The word here in Hebrew means "to return," so as we pray, we ask for the return to what Israel originally was destined to be, and is in fact, "a royal priesthood, a holy nation." We as followers and believers in Jesus Christ as Messiah, Jews, Arabs, and Gentiles alike, rejoice in this heavenly declaration of 1 Peter 2:9 for the day Israel steps into the position intended, and all of Israel will be saved.

Israel is in the throes of evil and deep darkness, so we must stand in agreement for their restoration, just as the prophet Joel prophesies that God will destroy the years the locusts have eaten. We must stand strong and encourage one another with God's word. There have been reports from former hostages who gave glory to God for keeping them, saying they remembered scriptures they had learned in school and in their homes. They have boldly said their faith kept them going. Now, as they heal, as they learn what happened that horrific day, we know that the trauma will take time from which to recover. It has been unimaginable. But, it will take faith and courage and forgiveness. 

In like manner at home and abroad, the world faces much loss, trauma, hardship, and turmoil. God has shown His extreme mercy and grace by giving us men and women of faith in leadership, who desire to see this nation restored to One Nation Under God. Even so, the battle will be long and hard, so we must encourage each other and rest on the promises of God. We look to the Lamb, who is altogether worthy.

Shalom and blessings to all.