Hey there! I trust you had an amazing holiday season filled with love, laughter, and moments that truly mattered. As Joel shared in our previous update, we’ve been riding the wave of an incredible time at our teen Chanukah camp last month. It was nothing short of extraordinary-watching God move powerfully in the lives of the youth who joined us.
Many of you have been following our journey, reading our updates, and faithfully praying over these camps. First of all, thank you! Your prayers and support are truly the foundation of everything we do.
Experiencing the Impact
Now, I know it’s one thing to hear about the impact, but it’s another to actually experience it. So today, I want to pull back the curtain and give you a little taste of what we pour into these young hearts. Below, you’ll find one of the morning devotionals I wrote, especially for the last Katzir (harvest) camp. Morning devotionals are a cornerstone of our time together in small groups. There are boys’ groups and girls’ groups, 6-7 teens with one or two young adult counselors. Each day begins with a quiet moment of reflection, connection with God’s Word, and lively discussion focusing on their real questions and how to realistically live out the Scriptures day to day.
These devotionals are designed to inspire, challenge, and equip the teens as they deepen their faith and wrestle with what it means to walk with Yeshua in their daily lives. They’re short, impactful messages paired with Scripture and practical takeaways, setting the tone for the rest of the day. Our “all-camp” meetings feature messages that also tie into the theme of the devotionals.
The devotional I’m sharing with you has been translated from Hebrew to English so you can experience firsthand the kind of spiritual truths we’re planting in these young lives. At the end of the devotional, there are discussion questions for the group leaders to help the young people interact personally. Let’s dive in!
Morning devotional (on the final day of camp)
Good morning, everyone! This conference has flown by, hasn’t it?
Here we are on the last morning of this camp. But I want to encourage you: the conference doesn’t end here. Let’s take the momentum we’ve started here and carry it back into our homes, our communities, and our youth groups. Let’s continue living out the truths we’ve learned here in our daily lives.
The events of October 7 caused significant damage to the sense of security within the people of Israel. We all know people who were called up for reserve duty- maybe even our own siblings or parents. Some of us know people who were wounded or even lost their lives in the war. All of us, in one way or another, experienced it: the sirens, the explosions, and the sight of rockets intercepted in the sky. This is a wound that will take a long time to heal for our nation.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident” (Psalm 27:1-3).
David’s special relationship with God was the foundation of his unwavering confidence. He didn’t see God as merely a supreme power but as a loving Father and protector. This intimate connection enabled him to face any challenge and maintain his faith even in the hardest moments. Whether he was confronting the giant Goliath or enduring the rebellion of his son Absalom, David entered the battle with full assurance that God was with him.
Life is full of ups and downs. We all face challenges and difficulties. God invites us to confront them with complete confidence that He is with us in every moment. When we choose to trust Him, we will find that He provides the strength and comfort we need to overcome every obstacle. History teaches us that even in its darkest moments, the people of Israel have always managed to endure, thanks to their faith in God. God doesn’t promise us lives free of hardship, but He does promise to be with us every step of the way.
What other examples do we find in Scripture of people who displayed great trust in God?
Can you recall a time when you were in a tough situation, turned to God, and experienced His response?
“We desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end.” (Hebrews 6:11)
One of the most significant promises given to us is that through Yeshua, our sins are forgiven, and we have the hope of eternal life.
What does Paul (the probable author of Hebrews) mean when he says we must remain diligent and hold onto the assurance of hope until the end?
How can we cultivate this diligence?
1. Reading God’s Word: The Bible is full of examples of God’s faithfulness and fulfilled promises. Whenever doubts arise, we can strengthen ourselves by reading His Word and seeing how He remains true to His promises.
2. Sharing with Him: The next time you pray, share openly and honestly with the Lord about the struggles you’re facing- Bring your fears and worries to Him.
3. Remembering His faithfulness: Reflect on past experiences where you’ve heard or felt God’s presence and seen Him answer your prayers. These memories can anchor us in our faith during challenging times.
What other promises or prophecies do you recall that God has fulfilled?
Why can we trust that God is faithful and keeps His promises?
Paul encourages us to hold fast to God’s promises because He is faithful and true to His word. We can see His faithfulness throughout Scripture―to Israel, to Abraham, to David. The fact that we are here in the Land of Israel, thousands of years after these events were written and after two millennia of exile, is itself a fulfillment of prophecies given long ago. These fulfilled prophecies give us hope that God will continue to fulfill His promises—His promise to forgive our sins and secure our salvation.
The world around us is changing rapidly, and the future often feels unstable and full of uncertainty. But as believers, we have a firm anchor: God. He promises to be a refuge for us in the storm and our defender in every battle. The promises in Proverbs 3:23-24 are like a shield given to us, guarding us against fear and anxiety. Let us hold fast to these promises and trust that God will fulfill them in our lives.
Thanks for traveling with me through this devotional. It’s not too early to begin praying for our Passover Camp in early April. As I hope you can see, these informal, intimate discussions of how the Bible really is relevant to our lives are a key to life transformation.
“Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:23-24)
Please receive my personal gratitude for our God-authored partnership. Ruby.
