By Tal Haroni

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,  the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Isaiah 40:28-29

 

We are all going through an unexpected roller coaster right now. For us here in Israel it feels like our world turned upside down overnight. During these tough times filled with challenges, pain, uncertainty, and even fear, we hold on to God’s promises, for the people of Israel, and for the entire world. At the core is the promise of salvation and that’s why we pray for everyone wherever they may be – to come to the knowledge of the truth, embrace Jesus as their Lord and King, and step into the wonderful inheritance waiting for them in the Kingdom of God.

 

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

 

So, how can we do good in addition to practical actions, giving donations, and so on? First and foremost, through encouragement! The current period we are in stirs many emotions, and we all need encouragement. Whether it’s praying for one another, offering a listening ear, or even a shoulder to cry on, the bonds of the Lord will provide strength. In Hebrew, the term for “renew their strength” is “יחליפו כוח”, “Yachalifu ko’ach” which means, exchange strength. To those who have hope in God, those who know and stand on His promises, those who understand the truth and the hope that awaits us in Him—are called to encourage, uplift, and exchange strength. To give strength to others, even to our believing brothers and sisters when they lose hope.

 

This basically says that if I have hope I can give it to others who at the moment do not have it. Moreover, I call them higher to look from God’s perspective, instead of from an earthly one. It is so easy to watch and dwell on the news, videos, testimonies, and politics – but when we look at it from a Kingdom perspective everything looks better.  

 

Since the war began, many believers and various organizations have made efforts across the land to meet soldiers and provide them with basic supplies – undergarments, socks, sweets, shirts, and more. We at Revive Israel have also taken part in this effort. We have many personal connections with believing soldiers, but not only with them. When we, or any other organization of believers bring essential equipment to believing soldiers on the front lines, we aim to strengthen the soldier’s faith and their testimony among their unit. We tell them, “Brother, you have support. Someone is behind you, praying, supporting, and standing with you. Don’t hesitate to shine the light of the Messiah.”

 

In the midst of all this darkness, there is light—the light of the Messiah. Within all this despair, there is hope, the hope of salvation. We who hope in the Lord can provide strength to those who are weak, to all people, and especially to our fellow believers. Thank you to all of you who have been praying with us during this time, thank you for helping us reach out to the soldiers and civilians and through this shine His light. You are the ones helping us all hold on to hope.