Watching and Waiting

Almond Blossom - the first tree to come into flower in Israel

“The word of the Lord came to me: What do you see, Jeremiah?

I replied: I see a branch of an almond tree.

The Lord said to me: You have seen right, for I am watchful to bring My word to pass.”

Jeremiah 1:11

As we transitioned into another New Year together, we were struck by the poignancy of the marking of time since Yeshua’s (Jesus) first appearance on our earth and our anticipation of his return. His first coming took many by surprise. He was the promised and much awaited Messiah, but as a small baby was only recognised by a few. Our desire for this coming year is that many more in Israel will know Him and be expectantly waiting for His return - and we warmly welcome you to pray with us:

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe. As we mark the new year on the Gregorian calendar - 2025 - we acknowledge this counting of the time since your coming into the world, your breaking into our history, and your journey to the cross transforming all things. In this new year, we pray for the grace to live in joyful anticipation of your return.

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

(1 Corinthians 13:12)

With the devastating effects of war for nearly the last year and a half to infrastructure, resources and families alike, alongside the long-term toll on minds and emotions, the tide is finally turning toward considerations around rebuilding, restoring and healing. For many this will take months, if not years. Though the relief and thanksgiving when hostages have been returned are in no ways diminished, the impact of 7 October 2023 will have a long-term effect for many on multiple levels.

In these moments come the questions - How did this happen? Why is there so much hate? Where was God in it all? I venture to say that Yeshua was sitting in the rubble alongside the one who lost their home. He was weeping hand in hand with the one who lost their loved ones. He was interceding for the one who’s anger overwhelmed them, and he was holding tightly onto those who lost all hope. Even in the midst of our greatest tragedies, if there is one thing we can know for sure, irrespective of how we feel, it is that our God is constant - constant in love, in compassion, and in hope.

May we ask you to pray with us for Israel and her neighbours, for Jewish and Arab people who are in the midst of their trauma and only have questions? Would you pray that the love of Abba Father, the compassion of Yeshua (Jesus), the hope of Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) invade their worlds, their minds, their homes and their hearts? That with all the ploughing this war has brought, the soil of souls has been turned over, ready to receive the seed of the Gospel, and that what others ‘intended for evil, God will turn about for good and for the saving of many lives!’ Gen 50:20.

For such a time as this!