The Heart of Redemption

Shalom from the Promised Land!

Something interesting I noted throughout this entire time: At no point did anyone comment on whether the hostages deserved to be released. No one asked or looked into whether these were good or problematic people. There were many beautiful things shared about the hostages. He was a farmer, she was a kindergarten teacher, he was a loving father, she was musician... but no left or right-wing media dug up dirt on the hostages. 

      Statistically with 1,200 people murdered at random and 251 kidnapped—they could’ve found something—bad business deals, drug use, DUI’s, anger management issues, marital problems. But none of that mattered. 

      To us, the young people who were busy doing God-knows-what at the Nova festival needed to be brought home, just like the babies who had been ripped out of their bedrooms. They had been stolen by our enemy and it was our responsibility to bring them home. In Hebrew, we call it “redeeming hostages.”

      I believe you’d agree that even at our best, we don’t understand the depths of love like God does. And so, it is worth considering what Israel just demonstrated as a nation to the world. If an entire nation could view every last person captured from this random group of people as must-be-redeemed, how much more does God desire that every person He created be redeemed?

      We didn’t do anything to deserve His desire for us. We are simply His creation—made in His image. Taken by His enemy. And, we too were rescued for a heavy price in a bloody exchange. 

      It took incredible courage for the families of hostages to pour so much time and emotion into bringing their loved ones home—not knowing if they ever would, but also not willing to take no for an answer. One thing is sure—if they hadn’t pushed as hard as they did, this would not have happened.

      Only time will tell how well the current ceasefire will hold. What we do know is that with the hostages home, many soldiers will now be released back into their civilian lives and the nation can now finally focus on healing and restoring. All during the war, Maoz has been involved with offering therapy through believing counselors.

      With your support we can continue treating soldiers, Nova survivors and struggling children. You can sponsor one of them for $100 a month. Join us on the road to recovery. The future looks beautiful from here.

God's Unfailing Promises

Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, declares the Lord. They will return from the land of the enemy.
Jeremiah 31:16

Can plunder be retrieved from a giant, prisoners of war gotten back from a tyrant? But God says, Even if a giant grips the plunder and a tyrant holds my people prisoner, I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children. And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves, killing each other in a frenzy of self-destruction. Then everyone will know that I, God, have saved you—I, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 49:24-26

I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison so I can thank you.
Psalm 142:4-7

We too can find the courage to intercede for the redemption of our loved ones living in darkness, like Israeli families interceded for the return of theirs’.

And as we pray these scriptures to complete the return of the fallen hostages from Gaza—include those in your life who are.