The Vine Shall Give Its Fruit

December 27, 2004

In Israel, the past four years have been intense. Suicide bombings, shootings, rockets fired into civilian neighborhoods, poverty, mourning, and sadness have become a way of life. The atmosphere is heavy with spiritual pressure. Many Israelis are distressed, as hope grows dim.

As the needs increased, so did the requests received at Bridges for Peace (BFP). Many on the staff of BFP found themselves overwhelmed by the pressures. In a time of fasting and praying in the summer, I felt the Lord telling us to get ready for the days to come. A trusted intercessor sent the message that only the pure and the strong will be able to stand in the difficult days to come. I came to realize that God is asking more of us—much more.

The time has come for believers everywhere to get serious about our relationship with God. He is saying to us, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:7–9). The Spirit is moving in Israel, especially in these difficult times, and God is asking us to sow to the Spirit. Now more than ever, we must not allow ourselves to grow weary while doing good.

Difficult Days For Israel

“Slicha, geveret.” I turned at the sound of her voice as she repeated herself, “Excuse me, Miss.” Her tired eyes looked out from a face lined with the sorrows of life. “Please help me,” she plaintively cried. “I have four children at home and nothing to feed them.” I was in a hurry and almost walked on without really listening, when the Lord stopped me in my tracks by reminding me of the Scripture, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” (James 2:15–16).

Convicted, I stopped, took another look, and saw someone God cares about. Reaching in my purse, I put some money in her palm and prayed that God would supply her needs. The money I gave would soon be gone, but fortunately, assistance is available through the BFP Food Bank, where more than 15,000 people receive help each month.

Over three million Jewish Israelis came to the land as immigrants.  Many more are children of immigrants.  They are a partial fulfillment of God’s many promies to bring His people home to Israel and to redeem them.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; I will bring them back, and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness’” (Zech. 8:7–8).

The prophet Zechariah goes on to say that God is going to provide for their needs as they return to Israel. “‘But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew—I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these.’” (Zech. 8:11–12).

As God has called us to holiness, I have come to realize that in order to walk in holiness, we must see through God’s eyes and do things His way, instead of fulfilling our own desires. We must move with God, rather than asking Him to move with and bless our plans. In these last days, God’s heart is turned toward Israel, as He fulfills His promises to the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As we seek to know Him better, He is calling us to love the Jewish people with His love. He has given us the privilege of helping provide their daily food and showing His mercy and compassion to them. Our acts of love are speaking louder than a thousand words.

Join us as we minister to the needs of immigrants, the elderly, the poor, and hungry children. Partner with us as God uses BFP to change attitudes toward Christianity. Join us as we, through our lives, are representing Yeshua (Jesus) to the people of Israel.

God is moving, and we have chosen to move with Him. Is He calling you to join Him as He fulfills His word to save His people? Your donations for food will be used to bless those in need with the love of the Lord. Many are hurting and hungry. Daily, they appeal for our assistance. We don’t want to turn any away empty-handed. If He is moving upon your heart, please don’t delay. Send your gift to minister to those whom the Lord loves. He is calling to Israel, saying, “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins” (Ps. 130:7–8).

By Rebecca J. Brimmer
International Executive Director (COO), BFP
Jerusalem, Israel

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