The Bible has much to say about the importance of hope, which is closely linked with faith. Hope involves optimism and the expectation of positive outcomes despite present circumstances. Hope is ingrained in Jewish culture. Indeed, the Hatikvah, Israel’s National Anthem, means ‘The Hope.’

Sometimes the Lord whispers, but there are times when He roars. When He does, let the earth tremble at His majesty. We may be at war, but God is about to roar.

At least 144 times, the fear of the Lord is mentioned in the Bible, with 19 of those from the New Testament.  Perhaps a lack of importance has been placed on this key Biblical admonishment. 

I have sought to learn many things from the Jewish people, such as how they have kept the Sabbath faithfully through the years and have a culture of blessing. Also, how they value things like a coming-of-age ceremony they call the Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) or Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandment). Indeed, my husband and I have incorporated many things in our parenting taught by the Jewish people. We celebrate the Sabbath the Jewish way and conduct a Bar Barakah (Son of the Blessing) and Bat Barakah (Daughter of the Blessing) for each of our six children when they reach thirteen, which has been a great blessing to them.

Truly, there is a battle not only in the land of Israel with tanks and guns but in worldwide ideology. It is the battle for truth.

What an incredible Savior to humble Himself to leave the glories of heavenly splendor to embrace humanity.

And so the Lord speaks over all who will come to Him. He is our defender. He is our healer. He is the one who gives “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3).

It is impossible to ignore the miraculous nature of the State of Israel. David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister, stated, “In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.” For those with ‘eyes to see,’ it is also evident Israel is living in the unfolding Biblical prophecies.

The Lord is challenging us as intercessors to ensure the standard of our speech is high in life, purity, and anointing. We come to the Lord out of a relationship with Him with words in prayer, petitioning, and standing in the gap for others.

Forgiveness can take different forms. We need forgiveness for attitudes, thoughts, and actions we have done outside of the will of God. There is the forgiveness of others for wrongs done against us. Forgiveness is needed towards ourselves for wrongs that cost us in some form.

Intercessor in Hebrew is ‘paga’ meaning one who reaches, encounters, and entreats with urgent petitions just as one reaches God with urgent requests. The Lord continues to search for intercessors, as in Isaiah 59:16, where He “wondered that there was no intercessor.” Ezekiel 22:30 says, “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land.”

It is an exciting time to be alive in God’s Kingdom on Earth. We get to be part of the company of God’s army, helping to push back the powers of darkness and usher in the power of His Presence over His beloved firstborn Israel.

The word ‘family’ comes to mind when I think of the trials Israel and the Jewish people are experiencing. In other words, will we be like family to them? Do we see God’s firstborn Israel as family?

Something fresh is happening from university campuses to houses of worship, from spontaneous prayer and worship meetings to repentance with tears. Amos 3:8 says, “A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?”

I want to share with you today about the Red Sea Road. Some of us may face what can be considered insurmountable obstacles needing miraculous deliverance from the Lord, just as Israel is facing many existential threats today as it did long ago at the shores of the Red Sea.

I have heard in my spirit for some time now, “Earth may be preparing for war, but heaven is preparing for a wedding.” Indeed as the Lord speaks in Haggai 2:6-9, He “will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and…shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations and …the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former…”