Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
Through Isaiah God commands us, “Comfort my people.” How can we do this effectively if we are overwhelmed by fear, confusion or lack of faith? This is the enemy's strategy – to paralyze the believers so they cannot stand firm. That's why we must look beyond the earthly battle and look instead into the spiritual realm where the real battle is taking place.
When I read both Isaiah 61:1-9 and Isaiah 40:1-11, I see that the Spirit of God longs to bring comfort to Israel. These days many are mentally and spiritually exhausted. Since October 7, 2023, we are continually experiencing emotional ups and downs as a result of national/personal trauma and war.
Recently, in the span of a single week, we lost thirteen soldiers, two from a community near our home. One was an acquaintance of my son and the other of my daughter.
Would you pray with me that the body of believers in Israel will put on the armor of the Spirit of God – and walk into battle knowing we belong to Him. In this way we can bring comfort to those around us who hurt and mourn – not by focusing on the pain but on God's Glory here on earth. So, please declare these promises with us:
Isaiah 40
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” …
9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (NIV)
Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
