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The Time of God’s Favor for Zion

September 21, 2020

“You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time has come…For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer” (Ps. 102:13,16–17).

We live in a day when God is keeping His ancient promises to Israel. He is bringing the Jewish people home from all over the world. He is building up Zion. Yes, He is fulfilling His prophetic Word.

We also live in days of the coronavirus and the resulting financial troubles. The poor and the newly poor (formerly middle class) in Israel are living in extremely difficult times. Many are becoming destitute. Others fear their downward slide is leading to destitution.

The psalmist goes on to say, “For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death” (102:19–20). Many in Israel are groaning. They see no relief in sight. They don’t know that God is looking on them with compassion. He hears their groans; He hears their prayers. God is not a God who just listens to prayers—He is a God of action. So, He called Bridges for Peace and told us to reach out with His love to provide food for the needy of Israel. We currently bless more than 22,000 each month with food. Throughout this difficult year, we have continued without a break (even during lockdown) to feed the needy in Israel.

New requests come to us constantly. We just received a request to help 750 Holocaust survivors. I hope we can find a way to stretch the budget again. I don’t want to have to say we can’t help to those who have already suffered so much.

An urgent request came to help single moms and their children. They have no support from their ex-husbands. We said “yes” to 25 families, and today there is food on their tables. Others in this situation are still waiting for our help.

Last month I told you about the urgent need for computers or tablets for school children forced to study from home. We have supplied nearly 100, but the need is great. A recent study shows that 20% of school-age students are in need of a computer. If they don’t receive them, their education is halted. They may never catch up. According to Gilles Darmon, the head of the Latet organization: “Their chance of gaining work skills and eventually taking part in the workforce is almost zero. We are now seeing the making of Israel’s poverty report 15 years down the road.”

I am thankful that we serve a big God. He is not impersonal. He is not callous or uncaring. He is looking from heaven and hears the groans of His people. He has called us to be His hands and feet, to give hope to the hopeless. We can only fulfill this call with the partnership of Christians around the world who are investing in God’s Kingdom. Together we are part of God’s plan to build up Zion. Together we are providing for the destitute. Thank you for your prayer and financial gifts. No gift is too small or too large. We are making a difference.

Every day we are praying for you to be protected from this virus and its financial complications. Please send us your prayer requests. We want to pray for you.

Blessings from Israel,

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO

Photo Credit: bridgesforpeace.com