As Jewish people prepare to celebrate Passover this week, they have resolved to stand firm in the face of much opposition. The wars in the Middle East have been a daily reality for many in Israel, and numerous acts of antisemitism have risen before the faces of Jews around the world. But just as the Israelites had to stand strong before the Egyptian opposition at the time of the Exodus, now is the time for all believers in Yeshua, our Lord and Messiah, to stand up for their faith in the face of the devil’s attacks.

When King Hezekiah rose to reign in Judah, he faced many daunting obstacles to lead the people back to the LORD. The Temple was desecrated, the priests were unclean, the people mocked and laughed at him, and the land was completely filled with idols and pagan altars. But he was determined to celebrate the Passover even a month later than it was supposed to be observed. He had to set the example for the people to follow. But 2 Chronicles 30:12 says,

“Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and leaders, at the word of the Lord.”

Against all odds,

“Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.” (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)

Did you notice that the verse says, “he did” and “his God”? Hezekiah was the lone example for the people. He had to first take the stand for what was right and then the people gradually came to follow. But when they did, God gave them a singleness of heart to obey the king and the LORD.
There are many other obstacles standing against the Body of Messiah and individual believers today too. It takes grim determination in the face of the compromising world to stand firm for what we believe and to not let our testimony be swayed. We have to serve God with all our hearts and put aside petty grievances that come between us before we can prosper in our work and service to God. And can you imagine the great revival that will sweep our country if the Body of Messiah will stand in singleness of heart to obey God’s Word?! We must be determined to shine as lights despite the thick darkness that is closing in around us.

Don’t give up! Keep standing by faith and look up to see how the awesome hand of our God will work in these last days before His return to rule and reign on earth! Don’t be dismayed when you face opposition but be energized to serve God with all your heart.

And please pray for the peace of Jerusalem this Passover season, that the love of God will overcome the devil’s evil schemes against His chosen people and overwhelm even the hardest hearts to turn to Him in repentance.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1)

 

–dmrf