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Speaking out on Israel’s behalf is an important part of our vision. We believe that the Lord wants us to continue to send the Word out from Israel regardless of the circumstances. As the prophet Isaiah says, “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (2:3b). We are to be like “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God’” (40:3).
At the same time, we are to minister in practical ways to the Jewish people. The prophet Isaiah called out,“‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God” (40:1). And the Apostle Paul encouraged Gentile believers to financially bless the Jewish people: “For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings”(Romans 15:27 NIV).
Faithfully, year after year, Bridges for Peace has fulfilled this vision. Our food banks in Jerusalem and Karmiel distribute more than two tons of food each working day. In spite of food shortages and price increases, we continue to bless more than 20,000 Israelis a month with life-giving food. With the faithful help of our dear Christian friends around the world, we continue to comfort the people of Israel through our many projects (see page 32). Our publications roll off the presses regularly to help Christians around the world understand Israel and the Hebraic roots of their faith.
Over the past year and a half, we have felt impressed by the Lord to prepare to minister in practical ways to the Israeli people in times of crisis, whether it be war, disaster (like earthquakes), or financial collapse. We have felt it important to prepare in as many ways as we can to be ready.
We have now stocked the Karmiel Assistance Center with 395 tons (358 metric tons) of food in order to be ready to feed people in time of war or disaster (both of which are prophesied in Ezekiel 38). We now know that we have room for around 500 tons (453 metric tons) of food in the new storage facility in Karmiel. If you would like a short video of the new warehouse, please write to your national office, and they will send you a copy. Show the video clip to your friends, Bible study group, Sunday school class, or congregation. We need your help to raise the funds to fill the warehouse and to increase our monthly food distribution.
We also are determined to continue to send the news out from Israel, even if times get very difficult. We have outfitted our journalists with emergency equipment. Now if there should be a disruption of our Internet connection or electricity, they could continue to get the word out to the world, utilizing solar battery chargers, satellite data, and phone connections, etc. We are also working to improve our Web site and e-mail communication network. Already we have over 11,000 people who receive a weekly e-mail news update with prayer focuses. Should a day of financial crisis hit the world, making it financially difficult to continue printing and mailing the publications, we are ready to get the word out electronically. If you want to insure you are on the e-mail list, please go to www.bridgesforpeace.com and sign up for the weekly News Update with Prayer Focus. On the left-hand column, select “subscribe,” and you will find the form to send in your details.
I am reminded of the words the Lord spoke to Joshua when he was preparing to enter the Promised Land. It must have been a very daunting and difficult time for Joshua, a brand new leader replacing Moses, a much loved and respected leader. I believe these words are important for us today as we prepare to enter daunting and difficult times.
“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shallnot depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you willhave good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5–9).
First, in challenging times, we must remember that the Lord our God is with us. He will not leave us. We can put our trust in Him.
We have to be strong and of good courage. This was so important that the Lord repeated it three times in this short passage of Scripture. God understands our fears, and failings and wants us to know that we can make the decision to trust in His presence and act with strength and courage.
We must not only read the Word of God, we must have it in our hearts, meditating on it, and making it such a part of our lives, that our lives are a reflection of the Word. We must not only read but do. As it says in the book of James, “Faith without works is dead”(2:20b). If we want to succeed in trying times, we must act in faith and obedience in accordance with the Word of God.
We must maintain a close relationship with the Lord. If Joshua had not already developed his relationship with the Lord, he would not have heard and understood the direction given in this passage. We cannot wait until crisis hits to suddenly build a relationship with God. We must prepare our hearts now to beat in time with the Master.
We were never told to put on white robes and sit on a hillside waiting for the Lord to return. We were told to be ready at all times (Matthew 24:42–51).We are told to keep our lamps trimmed and full of oil (Matthew 25:1–13). At Bridges for Peace, we are prepared for the future, while living lives of faith and love in the present. God has called us to feed the people of Israel with food and to feed the Church with the truth. In good times and in hard times, we will continue to fulfill that call. Thank you for joining us in prayer and support as together we stand with the Lord for His truth and for His covenants.
Source: By Rebecca J. Brimmer International President and CEO
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