“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” – Isaiah 60:1
As we look back on the past year and how the enemies of Israel have treated God’s people, we cannot ignore that we are living in a world full of darkness. We are living in a world where truth has been rejected, unrighteousness seems so prevalent, and evil seems to pushing even further against the things that God loves. But we must hold onto the hope that we have in the One who watches over Israel. This year we have seen many victories in Israel overcoming their enemies. From the thwarting of two major attacks by Iran, to the set back imposed on Hezbollah, to Hamas’s almost near defeat – the Lion has been awakened and Israel’s enemies know it. But these small encouragements in the physical are only a taster of the larger scale victory that Israel will experience when they fully overcome their enemies and will experience the peace of Jerusalem.
In the blessing given by God to Abraham and the Jewish people in Genesis 22:17, we read, “blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.”
In this season, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus knowing that Jesus is the Light that has overcome darkness and will ultimately make Satan His footstool. At the same time, the Jewish people will begin celebrating Hanukkah on 25th December, celebrating the light overcoming darkness in the Feast of Dedication. For the people of God, the promise remains: although we might see darkness all around, it is the promise to Abraham that his descendants will “possess the gate of their enemies” that should fill us with hope and assurance that it is the God of Israel who holds the future. Our trust must be in Him, His Word, and His promises.
The Nation of Israel Lives! Today and Forever. Amen!
