The Great Hope …
This coming week, Israel will celebrate its 62nd birthday; it is hard to believe that only 62 years have passed since the reestablishment of the modern State of Israel. However, while it was 62 years ago that David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of the Jewish State in the Land of Israel, i.e., its Independence, Israel still finds itself constantly struggling for true Independence.
The reality today is that Israel faces many threats to its survival; the Iranian nuclear threat, Syria’s call for jihad, Hizbulla continuing to arm itself, Hamas’ continuous attacks from the south, the Turkish President’s constant declarations against Israel… the list goes on. Seeing all this, one may ask, “Is there any hope for Israel?”
Before the celebrations will start for the Independence Day, the majority of people in Israel will spend time remembering; remembering those loved ones who gave their lives in the constant fight for Israel’s independence. The fact is that almost every home in Israel today has been affected in one way or another by the reality of terror and war. This is a very hard reality for these families, and in a way they too have died with their loved ones. Many of these families are also asking, “Is there hope for Israel?”
As a young man in Israel I lost some very close friends in a terror attack. I, too, was asking the same question for many years. But, it was the God of Israel who took hold of my life and gave me a new heart through His Son, our Messiah. Today, my reality is a mix of pain from losing my friends, as well as mourning with their families, and hope. I have the peace of God knowing that not only is He on the throne and controls all that happens, but also that His promises will one day become real:
“For, look! I create new heavens and a new earth; past things will not be remembered, they will no more come to mind. So be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for look! I am making Yerushalayim a joy, and her people a delight. I will rejoice in Yerushalayim and take joy in my people. The sound of weeping will no longer be heard in it, no longer the sound of crying.” Isaiah 65:17-20
This day will be a glorious day! But in the mean time, we still have a lot of work and a great burden to share that Hope we have in our Messiah with those who do not yet know it. It is our responsibility to share our faith so that they too may have the peace of God today and will have something to look for tomorrow.
Please join me this week in a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).