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N Cooke2022-02-17 14:55:552022-02-17 15:08:25Reaching the Hard-to-ReachShalom in His grace.
After 738 days of unimaginable darkness, the horror for 20 precious souls and their families is finally over. We thank God for their release and commit to praying for their healing—a journey that will be long and difficult.
I remember the horror of that morning, which began at 6:35 a.m. Israel time when we first heard reports of the attacks in Israel among the communities situated along the Gaza border. The attacks quickly expanded to the Nova music festival and other cities. We then began hearing about the murder and kidnapping that led to over 1,200 Israel perishing and 250 innocent victims being dragged into the terror tunnels of Gaza.
It is a day that I will never forget as a Jewish person, and especially as a Messianic Jew, who believes the word of God with all my heart and His promises to Israel. So many Israelis were so disappointed in the inability of the Israeli army to put a stop to this unfolding tragedy. But like the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the enemies of Israel chose a holiday when they knew Israelis would not be at work and more easily taken by surprise.
Along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu I am grateful for the efforts and support of US President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and others who worked tirelessly to bring the hostages home and to end the war with Gaza.
I cannot but be reminded of the words of the great prophet Isaiah in chapter 2 of the future He has predicted for the nation of Israel and for all the peoples of the earth. Why don’t you make this your prayer today? Of course, we know that this will not fully happen until Jesus returns, but we have hope knowing that this is the kind of world God will ultimately create.
We must be people of faith and remember that we are moving forward each day towards His ideal for our broken world. This gives us and others hope! And it is heartwarming and encouraging to remember that one day there will be no more war and that one day the Messiah will reign on His rightful throne.
As Isaiah wrote,
And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war. Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:3–5).
I want to thank you on behalf of our Israel staff in praying for the release of the hostages and for their well-being and safety. Thankfully, even though a number of our staff have served in the Israel Defense Forces and have been in harm’s way, they are healthy and able to see this day of rejoicing.
As you probably know, an Iranian missile struck our new center during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June. Our greater Tel Aviv Messianic Center had just been dedicated days before. We consider it a privilege to suffer along with our people in Israel and believe that the rebuilding of the center will take about a year, but nothing will stop it from being rebuilt. And, thanks be to God, our ministry continues because we kept the rental facility across the street and will continue to use it for all of our many activities and outreach opportunities during these days.
As the president of Chosen People Ministries, I’m so grateful for you—for your prayers, for your love for the Jewish people, and for standing with us as we bring the message of the Prince of Peace to the Jewish people who need Him so desperately in these days.
In the love of the Messiah,
Mitch
President of Chosen People Ministries
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N Cooke2022-02-17 14:55:552022-02-17 15:08:25Reaching the Hard-to-Reach
Nova Festival, October 7 Memorial. (Photo: Chosen People Ministries)
Dr. Noya Shilo, head of the Return to Life Center at Sheba Medical Center, walks with two hostages released from Gaza captivity in February 2024. (Photo: Courtesy/Sheba Medical Center)