Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
"I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown…" (Revelation 3:8,11 spoken to the congregation at Philadelphia).
Can you feel the relevance and reassurance of Yeshua’s words, right now? He knows everything that's happening; and He will take care of it all. During these challenging days, I am drawing strength from these words and experiencing a depth in God in ways I never have before.
The congregation of Philadelphia in the book of Revelation paid a high price for their loyalty to Yeshua, yet they did not deny their faith. They were willing even to be humiliated in the eyes of many, in order to be considered worthy and respected in the eyes of God. He saw their works and heard their prayers. As we read the verses above, written so long ago, their choices still resonate and stand as an example to us today.
The Emotional Drain of Danger
Residing in dangerous regions, such as Israel, necessitates a constant level of alertness and wariness that is emotionally draining. Normal life is hard enough, but now the continuous exposure to injustice, violence and the slaughter of innocents is thoroughly exhausting. I see in the life of believers here in Israel how suffering challenges our soul’s ability to remain in His Peace. Yet in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 we see that: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
When a person is strong and capable or rich and successful, he is convinced that success is the result of his own abilities. However, when a believer in God is weak and yet overcomes, it's clearly God's doing. Also, when a believer who is poor succeeds in advancing in life and building a better future, it is clear that God is the one who helped him.
The human weakness of Philadelphia’s believers allowed them to remain humble and dependent on the grace of Messiah. Humility leads to continual purification and blessings. As believers we must seek to live a life of surrender and humility. It’s not wrong to be wealthy and successful or strong and motivated, on the condition that Yeshua is the center of our lives.
As His disciples, our eyes must be on Yeshua all the days of our lives (Hebrews 12:2-3). He will enable us to focus on Him and to give Him our pain and sorrow – physical pain as well as emotional and spiritual exhaustion.
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Put your hope in the LORD. Be strong and take heart and hope in the LORD" (Psalm 27:13-14).
Living in a war zone, with uprooted border populations and hearing the pain of God’s children, I continually ask Him to show me how to reflect His love. Through God we will overcome! He brings victory to the battles in our lives, even in our weakness--especially in our weakness, when we lean on Him.
