Israel Shall Be Saved
May 2010
Dear Friend,
“Israel Shall Be Saved”... truly a daunting statement.
If you are anything like me you wonder how God could use me/us to make this a reality. In the natural it is not possible. None of us are naturally capable.
We each have wonderful individual talents, however, the task of the salvation of Israel? That is beyond the human ability of any man. Yet, throughout the New Testament we are reminded of this awesome challenge.
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16
That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
Through Way of Peace, you and I have said “Yes” to this commission from the Lord.
As I meditated on this reality, I asked the Lord what word of encouragement He had for us, the Way of Peace partners. Yes, that’s right, I consider us partners with the Lord in this Gospel Advancing venture. We certainly won’t accomplish it on our own!
I was drawn to Isaiah 54. It is a passage I have loved and meditated on for years. The beauty of the entire passage never ceases to amaze.
First, it is crucial we recognize that chapter 54 comes after chapter 53. Elementary, I know, but of utmost importance to recognize. Chapter 54 would not be possible without chapter 53, which represents the work Jesus did on the cross, taking our sins and judgment we so rightly deserve. Chapter 54 is the resulting blessing we receive.
The whole chapter (54) is a remarkable passage of God’s love and provision, and I encourage you to meditate on it long after this letter has been set aside. Today, let’s focus on a few key scriptures. Look no further than verse one.
‘Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman’, says the Lord. Isaiah 54:1
Wow! Doesn’t that just send chills down your back? “Children” mentioned above represent fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is needed in all areas of life: spiritual, family, job, education, health, mental, etc…
I have yet to come across a human being who does not have some area of lack in their life. For example, all the wealth in America can not buy you health or a loving family. That is reality, we all have fruitless areas.
This verse is for everyone! Our fruitless area will become fruitful through Jesus!
Let’s sing and praise the Lord for the provision He has provided us through Isaiah 53, the finished work Jesus did on the cross. To back this up in the New Testament, flip with me to Ephesians 5.
Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20
We are exhorted in the New Covenant to be filled with the Spirit... singing and praising the Lord! Just like Isaiah 54. Why is the Holy Spirit important? Look what Jesus Himself says…
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
The word “declare” literally means “transmit”. So this verse says that the Holy Spirit is given us to guide us, teach us and literally transmit all of God’s blessings to us.
Today we are focused on fruitfulness in every facet and area of our lives, including ministry through Way of Peace. It is only through cooperation with the Holy Spirit we will accomplish all God has for our individual lives and for Israel.
Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
Back to Isaiah 54:1. Do you feel like the statement “Israel Shall Be Saved” is a challenge too large? Do you feel your family is past hope? Perhaps your finances are beyond repair? Maybe your mind is overwhelmed by weights and cares.
At the risk of sounding flippant toward our problems... REJOICE, REJOICE, REJOICE.
You are not alone. Often when faced with impossible situations, we feel isolated. We are not. Every human faces their own impossible situation.
Abraham did. It was prophesied he would be the father of many nations, but well after his and Sarah’s natural years of child bearing, they had no children. Yet in Romans 4 we see what Abraham did.
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20
Abraham was not perfect. He lied about his wife to the king. Sarah laughed at the Lord when Abraham was told he would be the father of many nations. Don’t feel that your own self inflicted mistakes will hinder you from receiving. Thank God He uses imperfect vessels, or none of us would qualify.
Despite your own, my own and the faults of those around us….. REJOICE, REJOICE, REJOICE.
That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14
See how beautifully it all ties together? The Holy Spirit is transmitting the blessings of Abraham to us today!
We haven’t made it far through Isaiah 54. Trust me it would take far more than this letter to do so. We can meditate on it for years to come it is so beautiful.
Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. Isaiah 54:2-4
Where can you and I enlarge, stretch out, lengthen and strengthen our lives today?
So often we are afraid of stepping out in faith. Afraid of what people will think. Afraid of what will happen if we fail. We question if we are crazy for thinking the impossible could actually happen for us. Fearful we do not have what it takes, and may embarrass ourselves. We are all the same.
Together, let’s ask Jesus now to reveal to us specific area of our lives we can take a step of faith today.
The Holy Spirit is our ever present Helper. Throughout the entire process He is revealing the Love of the Father. (Romans 5:5).
That is key. There is no pressure. God’s love does not change whether we accept His provision or not.
For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:9-10
Bask in the Father’s love today! Only in that love we will have boldness to say “YES”. We will have boldness to receive the provision God has freely given through Jesus! We will have strength to fulfill the purposes God has for our lives.
I look forward to hearing from you. Way of Peace is saying “YES” to the challenge of “Israel Shall Be Saved”. Would you give your very best seed offering today?
Together we can say, “ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED”!
Blessings in Christ,
Nathan Thurber
PS. Over the next month, let’s meditate on Isaiah 54. The inexhaustible, indescribable love of Jesus is awaiting us!