Here we are a number of years ago in Odessa, Ukraine, the birth place of the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute.

“For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this,” (Isaiah 37:32).

The above scripture was part of my quiet time this morning. Tears filled my eyes as I read it and remembered. This is the promise that God gave Wayne and me as we were sent out from Shady Grove Church as missionaries to Ukraine to pioneer the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute. The flames of communism had just gone underground and the Soviet Union was wide-open for the gospel, especially Jewish people. Communism had stripped them of religion but not a hunger to know God. It was such a privilege to sow and reap in that fruitful harvest. Over and over though we met roadblocks, endured betrayals, experienced setbacks, often didn’t know how we would pay bills, and honestly even sometimes didn’t have heat and water. Then we would remember the word of the Lord.

“The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.”

The most faith boosting exercise for me today is to recall the faithfulness of God and the personal promises that he has given us over the years. This one is key. It is also a reminder that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

And now in 2024 just after the holy Days of Awe and Day of Atonement on the Jewish calendar, I am sober about what God is saying. He is still making good on this promise. For I know the zeal of the Lord will accomplish all that the Lord has ordained for me and my family! This promise is not dependent upon any circumstance or man only on the faithfulness of a good God.

What has God promised you? Lean into it and be refreshed and strengthened.

“The zeal of the Lord will accomplish it.”