A Lesson for Hard Times - Gleaned from Israel's History
by Guy Cohen, Harvest of Asher in Acco
"Hardships
often prepare ordinary people
for an extraordinary destiny." - C. S. Lewis
The world is going through a hard time…again.
Just a few weeks ago Israel commemorated the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, as they have been doing for millennia. This solemn anniversary culminates the annual three week “dire straits” period of mourning over the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem as well as other disasters in Jewish history.
As the world faces the current pandemic and the other events that have brought fear and strife to many nations, I want to go back in history, focusing on Israel in order to draw a parallel to our current difficulties. 2 Kings 19:15-19 records Hezekiah's response to a fearsome threat of impending destruction in Jerusalem. What did he do? He brought it before God. He literally spread out the pieces of paper with the written military threat, in the temple, and cried out, “Open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.” (verse 16)
Hezekiah was a king in crisis, in spite of having restored Israel to following God's way of holiness, and in spite of having destroyed the idols! Now he was in the middle of a storm, just as big as ours or bigger. With encouragement from his “buddy” Isaiah, he persevered in faith—through conflict and trouble. In the end, he was victorious. This is where we are today, watching Israel and other nations being pressured from every direction. People are changing before our eyes—looking inward at their individual needs and responding with anger at governments and those in authority. We are in a time of trouble which is affecting the health of the nation as well as the economy, security and future.
In Israel, we face military threats, as in the time of Hezekiah. Meanwhile, brother is turning against brother. Will we and our leaders rise up and run to God as Hezekiah did? Or will we put our trust in something else (foreign gods and idols), succumbing in the end to their authority and not God's? Have we even noticed that, in the meantime, the enemy has arrived at our borders with Gaza and Lebanon, waiting for our destruction?
The book of Lamentations is read in its entirety on the eve of 9th of Av. In the face of the coronavirus, the words ring truer than ever. I feel as if we have never been closer to the physical and spiritual condition of Jeremiah's day than now. Mankind so easily forgets God until a time of dire need arises. With God’s righteous judgment impending, may the world not be found lacking (like Sodom and Gomorrah) in men and women of righteousness, those who know the Lord and are ready to stand in the gap for their nation. As we draw closer to the fulfillment of all things, we join in agreement with the closing words of Lamentations 5:21: “Turn us again to Yourself, O Lord, and we will be restored.”
Thanks to Yeshua, we are the righteous of this day, standing as Hezekiah stood. May the Spirit of God lead us in intercession for our people and nation.
Guy Cohen leads the Katzir Asher/Harvest of Asher Congregation in Acco Israel
His article is
available online here. acco.watchmen@gmail.com www.harvestofasher.org Guy's Facebook page Donations: See instructions on
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Arni Klein of Emmaus Way writes 8/29 about the roller coaster ride that
most of us have gone through emotionally trying to process the unimaginable
changes we have gone through this year with the explosion of the Chinese
Coronavirus Pandemic. By this time we have heard so many things it is a wonder
anyone has faith in the authorities. Arni says he has been through all that too
but beings us back to, why has God allowed it? What is God looking to turn for
good out of what the enemy has meant for evil?
Arni writes, "There will be no quick fix for the systemic deception
overrunning the world. It did not start yesterday, and it will not be gone in
any soon tomorrow. The answer is not in a new revelation, insight, prophetic
word, or something that God is just starting to do right now. The road
through is from ancient days. This path long untraveled has become overgrown
with thorns and thistles. We’ve been lost for a while and haven’t known it....
It doesn’t take a genius or a prophet to understand that financial destruction
resulting from an extended global lockdown supplies one essential dynamic
further paving the way for the imposition of a world economic system that would
enable totalitarian control over society. How close we are to that day is
hard to say....
"What do we know? What do we know for sure? We find two things. One is that we do not
know how the coming days will play out. The second is, God is the answer. Not
God has the answer. Not God is in control. Not God knows. But He alone, the
Captain of the Lord’s host, is sufficient and able to stand in the face of this
present darkness....We are in a battle that is too great for us. The Covid-19
chapter of human history has brought into the open a view of the advanced
level of the existing technologies along with the plans and motivations of a
consortium of powerful leaders from almost every arena of life. We
suggest that it has been grace and mercy from Father
that has exposed what has been held in secret for decades. What man
means for evil, God means for good." Amen, and amen!
Daniel and Shirya Yahav write from Tiberias, the Face of God Fellowship (Peniel) about how they are adjusting to all the changes Covid restrictions have brought onto their large congregation and school for children. They are doing online messages, but also home groups in order to keep people in fellowship. One area of prayer is for the small groups that are struggling with the resources to teach the children in their small groups. Also last school year ended in a deficit of several hundred thousand dollars, due to a drop in donations, probably caused by the affect of Corona. They are praying for more support for this coming school year and are pressing ahead in faith. In other news they are having babies born with spiritually faith building stories, but also a number of members who are in need of healing. They ask also for the blindness too be lifted from their people, so more of their unbelieving relatives, neighbours, colleagues, and citymen can come to the faith of Yeshua, Messiah of Israel.
In Kfar Saba the Hamaayan, Congregation of the Wellspring, which is led by Tony and Orna Sperandeo share their ministry newsletter on their blog - packed full of new and prayer points.
Cody and Liat Archer, who have transitioned from Revive Israel in Jerusalem to Fields of Wheat in the Golan Heights, write about the 90 visitors they've had since moving to the Golan in early July. They write that it is due to a focus in the last decade on building relationships and investing into people. This focus will serve them well as they begin their vision to build a home fellowship discipling young people and reaching the lost in the North of Israel. They are already reaching out and making friends of all ages in their new community. Their children are just starting school and they ask prayers for their family for overflowing favor and love as we make new connections. Connect with them
Eric Benson at Beit Nitzachon, House of Victory writes about how blessed
they are to people following and commenting on the ministry on Facebook. They were blessed with a pro building contractor
who has been able to help them with renovations that really required pro
guidance, so they are working even during the heatwave and on a stairway they
joke about having "existed since the time of the Ottoman Turkish Empire."
They have taken in an elderly man who had no place to go even though he was not
an addict. He man appealed to him, “I have heard that you were the people who
help people.” Eric writes, "Thirty years ago when Pastor David Davis and his
wife Karen started this ministry, one of the first people who came to the
center said those exact words. In the moment he spoke it, these words came into
my spirit “These are the roots of House of Victory.” Click to listen to Eric
preach on the Gifts of
the Spirit at the Carmel Congregation.
Leon Mazin, leader of the Return to Zion congregation in Haifa has A Prayer for Humanity.
"Probably not everyone knows this, but four of the Israeli Prime Ministers
were born in Belarus. Other leaders of Israel are children or grandchildren of
those who left Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and Poland. I as well was born in
Belarus." If you are a news watcher, you have probably heard about the great
unrest there as they people are fighting back against a dictatior. If not read Belarus protests: who are the key players and what
do they want? More than that, Etic asks you: "I ask you to pray for Belarus, for
the Freedom of the people. Hold us in the arms of your prayer, us and our team
in Israel!"
From Maoz ministries Shani Ferguson writes The Fun Commandments about the High Holy Days beginning in mid-September. “Can or should Christians join in these Biblical anniversaries?” Shani writes, "The short answer—according to what the early Jewish believers decided in the book of Acts in regard to Gentile believers is: yes, you absolutely can; no, you are not required to. Whether you’ve never heard of these holidays, or you've celebrated them for years, you may appreciate insight from Israel."
Chuck Cohen of Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem has their prayer point online here: Friday Prayer Points 9/4/20 and for 9/11/20
Good to hear from Rachel and Gilad Netanel who continue to show hospitality to visitors, groups and to share their testimony in the faith. Rachel writes, "Gilad and I have had so many more opportunities to share the Gospel during these troubled times than ever before. In the last month and a half alone, we have enjoyed sharing with at least 5 groups and individuals in our home in Ein Kerem and in our place in Zukim in the desert. More than 150 people have come through our gates and none left without hearing at least part of the Gospel." After sharing many encouraging stories in her letter Rachel writes, "Thank you, dear friends, for standing with us with your support and prayers. We pray that the Lord will keep you safe, healthy and filled with His peace especially during these days. It is a great comfort and encouragement for us to know that you are standing with us."
Carolyn Hyde has returned to Israel in time to see a new granddaughter born (well almost, she had to quarantine during the actual birth) and Richard has stayed behind in Iowa where people have been picking up the pieces of their lives after a land-based hurricane called a derecho swept through. Richard is using his trauma counseling to help people. In Israel, they along with their son Avi-Asher Hyde & the media team at Tree of Life Israel have put out a new video in conjunction with Be'ad Chaim, the pro-life ministry of Israel called Saving Lives from Abortion. Carolyn writes about another of their videos having impact, "Last week an Orthodox Jew who had seen our video about fear contacted me and now I'm talking with this person's friends too! The L-rd gave me a prophetic word for one person and after sharing, they gave a heavy burden over to Yeshua and prayed for deliverance in His name." She shares that there were many divine appointments in their summer tour in the US...many are asking about Aliyah, "What do we need to do to come home?"
From Asher Intrater's Revive Israel Two online Praise, Prayer, Prophecy and Preaching -- Global Broadcasts with the Revive Israel Worship Team and preaching for Sept 1 and Sept 8. Also on Revive Israel's Facebook page, enjoy Wednesday Worship with Paul Wilbur, and also his "Shabbat in Your Home" each week.
The Bass family have had another wedding, with Tal and Eden marrying on Sep 3. Mazal Tov to all. The Beer Sheva congregation has had many comings and goings - mostly young people following their callings and careers. As Howard writes, "The Lord is faithful, and we need to trust Him for the continuing life and ministries of Nachalat Yeshua, which has produced much good fruit till now. We also have new Israeli students coming to study in Beer Sheva, and some have already "plugged into" the fellowship." They have also had three baptisms over the summer. Howard writes, "For any of you following our series on the Book of Daniel, you can see the latest (since our last letter) on Chap 8, 9, and 10 on the website, plus a couple of other articles, especially A Bitter Root Defiles Many, which shows the connection of the current dissatisfaction and rioting and intersectionality with the bitter root that was in Esau. You can usually find these teachings and articles also on Kehila News."
This urgent prayer request from Michael Beener in City of Life in Sderot, "We strongly request your special prayers for our headquarters building of our “City Of Life” ministry in Sderot which is currently in danger of being unjustly closed by the authorities due to false accusations and pressure from the religious sector on the Urban Planning Minister. We ask that you be covering our building in prayer, so that our attorneys can reach an agreement with the city attorneys and we do not have the need to go through a trial in court." They must raise $10,000 to renew the the old and precarious fire extinguishing system before the imminent controls of the Urban Planning Office that are looking for reasons to close the place, as well as the hateful comments in the digital media that incite to "set fire to the missionaries." They are continuing to minister to the people of Sderot and you can help them with their Back to School Project, food coupons and holiday food distribution also.
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is
in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders
and believers with urgent health needs
Pray for Sally Shiff who has one surgery for skin cancer which she says went perfectly...sounds like more surgery to come. | A prayer request for Naomi, for a dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed recently with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in her own words| Ronit Bender whose cardiologist told her that her irregular heartbeat is SEVERE, and is suggesting further tests. Please intercede for Ronit: No weapon formed against her shall prosper! | Olga Bikas severe back pain has kept her in "quarantine" for the past 4 years or so! Olga’s health. She went through several checkups that showed new findings and the doctors believe that an operation should improve her condition. Different doctors, however, propose different kinds of operations, and we need God’s guidance and wisdom to make the decision. | | Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva | Continue please to pray for Ruth Nessim who at last report was losing her eyesight. I have heard nothing from her in months and she may be in nursing home care now. If anyone knows more please write me...and pray for Ruth. | Prayer for one of Yariv Goldman's daughters, married with possible endometrioses.
Donna Diorio
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
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