By Christine Darg
Israelis vowed “Never Again” after the Nazi Holocaust and they believed that the world agreed with them. But one year after the unspeakable atrocities of 7 October 2023, Israel has sadly learned that the entire world is capable once again of siding with the enemies of God.
Much healing is needed in a traumatized nation that has had iron poured into its soul.
On this dreadful day 7 October, as I was driving through Virginia Beach, Virginia, I saw a bunch of Americans standing on a street corner waving Palestinian flags, shouting at traffic and wearing Arab shawls. Why? What’s it to them? And why today? Do they feel no empathy with the 101 Israeli hostages still held by the terrorist group Hamas?
Earlier today I participated with nearly 2,000 intercessors on the commemorative October 7 memorial Global Prayer Gathering sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, and I prayed along the lines of “love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) Love is superior and supreme because of its permanence.
We are exhorted to love one another fervently because “love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) This verse echoes Proverbs 10: 12, ”Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.”
As we approach Yom Kippur on 12 October, I’m reminded that the Book of Leviticus literally refers to the Day of Atonement in the plural—Yom Kippurim— the Day of Atonements, the Day of Coverings. This speaks of corporate national salvation as well as individual salvations.
As we prayed today, I truly believed that the love and comfort of intercessors was covering the beleaguered nation, that our love was being spread over Israel like a healing balm. Not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God!
Indeed, the words of the prophet in Isaiah 61 are literally coming to pass before our eyes:
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me,
because the LORD has anointed Me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of our God’s vengeance,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 to console the mourners in Zion—
to give them a crown of beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
4 They [the Israelis] will rebuild the ancient ruins;
they will restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities,
the desolations of many generations.
5 Strangers will stand and feed your flocks,
and foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers.
6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD;
they will speak of you as ministers of our God;
you will feed on the wealth of nations,
and you will boast in their riches.
7 Instead of shame, My people will have a double portion,
and instead of humiliation, they will rejoice in their share;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity;
in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed. . . .
Leave A Comment