“Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.”

We have seen the first part of this passage fulfilled in the last generation. The people of Judah have returned from the four corners of the earth and the land of Israel has been rebuilt. The Lord is bringing health and healing to His people and is revealing His truth and peace to them even now.

But this week, I would ask you to pray with me for all Israel to be cleansed from their iniquities and receive pardon for all their sins. We are believing for the salvation of all Israel as proclaimed in Romans 11:26,

“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.'”

And when this happens, we are looking forward to the life-from-the-dead revival that will sweep this nation as described in Romans 11:1,15,

“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!…For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”

Indeed, the whole world will see and be amazed by the goodness and prosperity that God lavishes on His people when they return to Him with their whole heart. This will usher in the ultimate Independence Day celebration. For, “therefore if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Only then will all Israel will be a joy and praise and an honor to the Lord before all the nations of the earth.

Thank you for praying with me about this great awakening. And may you too be blessed with all of God’s goodness and prosperity as you bless Israel and speak God’s message of love and salvation to her people!

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“That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.”

Jesus was crucified on the greatest of all the Jewish holidays—Passover. Everyone in Jerusalem was in eager anticipation of the feast that would begin that evening. Families and neighbors would gather for a huge, special meal and a night of teachings, followed by a day of peace and rest. These women should have been bustling around their house preparing food and setting out their best tableware and making nice decorations. But they dropped all their plans and ran to stand in solidarity by their Lord’s cross. They accompanied His body to the tomb and watched them seal the grave. Only then did they return home, not to finish their holiday preparations, but instead to grind spices and fragrant oils mingled with their tears, while all the country was celebrating with joy around them. And the Sabbath was not a peaceful day of rest, but the longest day of waiting for them to be able to go and anoint their Lord’s body with the spices they had prepared. They couldn’t envision the true joy that awaited them in the next two mornings.

Why am I telling you this? Because many people are gearing up for celebrating Passover and Resurrection Day with family, friends and neighbors. There will be Seder meals, sunrise services, pageants and cantatas, and fun activities for children. But there are also those who are hurting or mourning loss right now, who hear the sounds of celebrating all around them but can’t seem to envision the joy that awaits them. Take notice of those you meet whose holiday is mingled with tears. Share a loving arm (or shoulder to cry on) and help them see that we don’t have to mourn long because Jesus has already won the victory over all our troubles if we will yield them all to Him.

“Sorrow may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

May you be filled with the joy and peace of the Lord as you celebrate His resurrection power this season and all year long!

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