Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
Since the October 7th attack on our Southern border, much prayer has been focused towards Gaza. At the same time, Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets against the Galilee. Therefore, we have also been praying for Northern Israel.
Yet beyond these current attacks from Lebanon, we anticipate the situation escalating and becoming much more intense. Over twenty Israeli villages and towns bordering Lebanon have been evacuated since the beginning of the war. These 100,000 Israelis are internally displaced refugees, waiting and hoping that the IDF can make it safe for them to return to their homes before the school year begins. This may require an IDF ground invasion, in response to which Hezbollah would send tens of thousands of rockets to rain down on Israeli cities in the north and throughout Israel.
In early summer, I met together with Israeli pastors from congregations in the North. We attempted to estimate the possible damage to civilian areas where our congregants live. Even though we have supplied each family with an emergency medical kit and instructions for what food and supplies they should have on hand, it still doesn’t seem enough.
In addition to physical preparation, we must invest in emotional and spiritual preparations. Drawing close to the Lord is our greatest defense. We pray that when the hour of our testing comes, each one of us, both here and around the world, will put our trust in God. May the following words of Isaiah regarding Yeshua our Messiah-Teacher guide, strengthen and encourage us:
Although the Lord has given you bread of deprivation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will see your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:20-21)
Again, thank you for your prayers and intercession; they are needed now more than ever.
Who Do You Trust?
Even though these are painful and frustrating times, this not a new scenario for Israel. The Bible tells of challenges and wars throughout our history. Reading Isaiah 31, I can see many parallels from the time of the prophets, the same threats and the same tendency to seek help from other nations (for example Egypt).
The prophets urged Israel to lean on God and not on allies. When the Lord fights for you, all the world’s powers are inferior. When I look at Israel today, I see disagreement over critical decisions. Media and public opinion sway to and fro, while our soldiers are giving their lives. In the midst of it all, there is one thing Israel is forgetting – the God who chose Israel. He is the One who brought us back to the land, and He is the One who will save us.
When I look toward Jerusalem, I pray that my government will have wisdom, unity and guidance from the Lord. When the enemies of Israel rise up to kill, steal and destroy; we must remember that the arm of flesh will fail. We must put our trust in the One who cannot fail, the One who can fight for us with His outstretched arm!
“Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:11-12 NKJV)
