The Israel Letters

This devotional is dedicated to today’s Israel and members of Jewish and Christian communities throughout the world who daily express their love for her in prayer.

O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever. Psalm 131:3

But thou, O LORD, shall endure forever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Psalm 102:12-13 The Israel Bible

Preface>/p>

Encouraging understanding between Christians and Jews while supporting Israel is a wonderful calling. I find that if we can agree to disagree concerning our faiths God allows wonderful things to happen. When our working together seems a bit difficult or spiritual warfare rises to a higher level, I’m convinced God must chuckle. Many times during a radio broadcast a rabbi has remarked, “Nancy, the difference between us is we Jews expect the Messiah to come. You Christians expect Him to come back!” They are right. We do!

The Israel Letters were written during my prayer times. In Hebrew the word for eighteen is “chai” which means life. The letters are written to bring life into God’s relationship with those who read them. Therefore I have included eighteen letters in this book.

Scripture references are included with each letter. All the Scriptures used come from the Old Testament portion of the Bible found in the New King James Version unless indicated. I hope your Bible has excellent chain references and good footnotes. If it does, be sure to use them often. My faith grows by leaps and bounds when the Holy Spirit reveals God’s hidden treasures tucked among the Scriptures. I have also included a prayer for today’s Israel with each letter. I formatted this book to make it easier to take along where ever you go, making it convenient to stop and pray at any time. There are extra pages in the back of this devotional for notes, thoughts, extra scriptures or your special prayers to God for His beloved Israel.

A few months ago I wondered what I would include in this devotional when I started to write it. When I penned the words “O Israel” writing began to flow, and each one of my prayer times became a new adventure with the Lord. Reading over what was written; I realized the words created a collection of short letters to Israel. The letters could have been written by a concerned brother or sister to their beloved sibling.

The Children of Israel receive God’s grace throughout the Bible. If the word “grace” means only “the unmerited favor of God”, its meaning is most apparent in Israel’s repeated backsliding and God’s repeated forgiveness of them. However the Hebrew understanding for grace is the word “chen” and includes God’s purpose to establish a bond or relationship with His chosen people. Hence the author of the letters is called “Grace”.

May the Holy One of Israel meet you in these pages. May He encourage you, strengthen you and pour out His grace upon you. Yes, you!

L'Chaim! - To Life!

Letter Eighteen

Be of Good Courage
Psalm 27:11-14; Numbers 22:2-24:25; Psalm 34:7

O Israel, be of good courage! Turn your face to God, and He will strengthen your heart. He will not deliver you to the will of your adversaries. He reminds you day by day in your Torah portions of His steadfast commitment to you. Remember Balak and Balaam in the Book of Numbers! Read past the verses about Balaam’s donkey and grasp the truths embedded in the words. Repeatedly Balak asked Balaam to seek God to curse you and every time God blessed you. God gave Balaam an insight to tell your enemy:

“God is not human that He should be false, nor mortal that He should change His mind. Shall He say something and not do it, or speak and not fulfill? It is a blessing that I have taken, and when there is such a blessing, I cannot reverse it.” (Numbers 23:19-29)

O Israel, the Lord is still with you! You have the Great King’s friendship. Balaam prophesied saying, “Since God brought them out of Egypt, they are like His highest expression of strength.”(Numbers 23:22) Your history since He brought you back to the Land has been the same. This you know: the Angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.
Blessed be He,
Grace

Prayer:
O Mighty God, in this hour teach Israel Your way. Lead them in a smooth path because of their enemies. Do not deliver them to the will of their enemies. False witnesses rise against them and breathe out violence. O Holy One, let your love flow to them from the ends of the earth from those who love You. Speak gently to Israeli hearts where only You can enter saying, “Don’t lose heart. I know you believe in Me. I desire for you to see My goodness to you in the land of the living.” Toda! Thank You, O Mighty One! We are devoted to you.