Israel Independence Day April 23, 2015
The number 67 may not stand out at first glance, but in the eyes of those who love Jesus and who rejoice over God’s continued, faithful work with Israel, it is a wonderfully significant number. The anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel on May 14, 1948, can be seen as the 67th annual celebration of this continuing miracle of God. Israel Independence Day is observed this year beginning at sundown April 22 through April 23, 2015. We rejoice as we remember that God foretold of His restoration of Israel and re-establishing her as a nation after thousands of years – for the express purpose of reviving within them a passionate love for Him among His covenant people.
“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel;” Ezekiel 37: 21-22a
As we rejoice together this week over the Lord’s demonstrated faithfulness, let’s also continue agreeing together in prayer… and never lose sight of His far greater purpose – for it’s not at all Israel’s independence that He seeks to establish, rather their true dependence on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that they would receive and embrace the Messiah He’s so graciously sent them.
It is also critical to remember that along with commemorating God’s faithfulness to Israel, as followers of Jesus we must be mindful of the many difficulties and struggles experienced by the Arabs in the Region. We take our example from Jesus, who taught in the Gospel of Matthew, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22: 37-39
The Joshua Fund celebrates and rejoices over God’s steadfast faithfulness to Israel. We pray for and bless the Jewish and Arab people living throughout the region. Please join us in prayer and thanksgiving, remembering all the great things the Lord has done. We can be assured that God never falters in His promises. We can always trust in the fulfillment of His Word. Join us as we celebrate 67 years since the physical, visible beginnings of the restoration of Israel. Most of all, let’s celebrate our God who is restoring lives in the Epicenter region through the amazing love of His Son, Jesus Christ.
