Comfort My People
“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God” (Isaiah 40:1).
This verse was on repeat in my head as I walked the Manhattan streets. When I had heard earlier this summer that there would be a campaign of Christians who oppose antisemitism, I knew I was supposed to go. I joined a group of people who, like me, wanted to show our solidarity with the Jewish community. I was stunned by the result.
My first encounter was with *Nadiia, a Holocaust survivor. She was sitting on a park bench with her friends and inquired what our group was doing. I explained who we were and what we were doing in NYC. She remained emotionless as I spoke, and then expressed concern for our safety as Hamas supporters had taken over different parks in the city. She then went on to explain how current world events reminded her of the 1930s in Europe, her harrowing escape from Ukraine during the Holocaust, and how the Christian church had betrayed her people.
“What could you possibly do to change these events and stop this hate?”
Her question silenced me. What comfort could I possibly bring to a woman who had experienced the death of her entire family? The “Christian” church at large had failed the Jewish community during the Holocaust.
I prayed to God for wisdom, and He reminded me of Corrie ten Boom. I began to share her story with Nadiia and how my parents named me after this incredible woman. The ten Boom family’s efforts resulted in over 800 people being preserved. I explained not all Christians betrayed the Jewish people during the Holocaust, and there are those like me who will stand against antisemitism here and now. My words seem to bring comfort. She took my hand as I was leaving and thanked me for listening. “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God whispered in my heart.
I couldn’t help but feel the emotion rise in my throat. The atrocities Nadiia had faced as a young woman were crushing, and now to see history repeating itself was inconceivable.
On day three of the campaign efforts, I met a few Israeli families. I had heard Israel as a nation is suffering from PTSD after the October 7 attack, and I found this to be true from my encounter with them.
One family timidly approached me, asking what our group was doing. They wanted to know if we were for them or against them. I explained we were a Christian group that wanted the Jewish community to know they do have friends in this world, and that we will oppose antisemitism in all its forms. This beautiful mama, *Tatiana, with two little ones clinging to her leg and pulling on her dress, broke down in tears. They had come to the United States to provide respite for their kids. In Israel, the constant unrest and need to flee to the bomb shelters had taken its toll. She asked if she could hug me. “Yes,” I said. “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
The last family I met broke my heart. *Aliya caught my eye as she brought her little girls with bright blue eyes up to our table. Aliya’s thick Israeli accent and dark brown eyes captured my attention. She was so grateful for our presence in the park. We asked her what brought her to the United States, and she began to share her tragic story. Her family lives on a kibbutz in southern Israel near the Gaza boarder. On October 7, 2023, her husband, who served in the IDF, died protecting that region from Hamas.
When Aliya shared a photo of her husband, it brought tears to my eyes. These fatherless little girls standing in front of me were his carbon copy. Aliya also was in the US to provide rest from the war for her children and apply for citizenship. A hug could not convey the comfort I longed to give this young widow. Her words of gratitude for our support were seared in my mind: “Thank you for not forgetting us.”
“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
As we approach the anniversary of October 7, let us remember the Jewish community who still needs to see, hear, and feel our support as the body of Messiah. Christians around the world need to make their voices heard, that “Never Again” is today and we will stand against antisemitism in all its forms. We are most like Adonai when we comfort His people. The Jewish community feels alone and isolated during this intense surge of antisemitism in this past year. How can you show comfort to one of His beloved? I pray He leads you like He did me this summer.
Written by Kori, Life in Messiah staff
If you have a Jewish friend or know Jewish people in your community, how can you show comfort to them during this time? Prayerfully ask “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” if there is a step He would have you take in reaching out, and trust Him to guide you in your interactions (2 Corinthians 1:3).
If you would like to learn more about antisemitism and how to stand against it, we invite you to visit our resource page here. Often people ask, “Should we not care about the Palestinians as well?” The answer is, “Of course! God cares about all human suffering.” We don’t believe political stratagems or military might can provide ultimate solutions to the root problem: hatred in the heart. We do believe pointing people to the Prince of Peace, Yeshua, is the best first step in peacemaking. With whom would God have you share the Good News today?
In 2 Corinthians 7:6, Paul writes, “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” Comfort is often best expressed in person. Which struggling friend or family member would the Lord have you comfort today?
*In order to protect our staff and the individuals we work with, we periodically alter names and faces in our publications.