‘Comfort My people’: With the last hostage home, Israel begins healing

Israel has just witnessed the final hostage come out of Gaza. After 843 days of captivity, the last hostage, Ran Gvili, has finally been returned to Israeli soil.

It has been a very sad and emotional time and, of course, it ended with a funeral. But it feels like there is now a sense of closure.

The circle is complete. In one way it is, but in another way it isn’t.

After two years of war, pain, and heartache, the healing begins.

All Israel News recently reported: Israel's health figures after over 2 years of war: 24,000 hospitalized, half a million required mental health services

Over the coming months and years, there will be much more healing that needs to take place.

The war has been a very trying time for Israel. Mothers have lost their sons in battle. These brave soldiers died defending their country. Today I feel safe because of these brave men and women of the IDF. Sadly, many paid the ultimate price with their lives. Families and loved ones will be feeling the pain and distress of loss. They need comfort and counseling.

Many soldiers were injured, and because of those injuries, life will never be the same again. They will have to adapt to a new way of life because of disabilities caused by battle. They will need all the physical and emotional strength they can muster to get through this.

Families were torn apart when fathers had to leave their homes and go into the reserves. Mothers were left with the burden of responsibility for the home and children. They became single-parent families for a time. Many mothers were thrust into this situation, and it is a lot of pressure.

A child asking, “When is daddy coming home?” and giving a positive answer when she doesn’t even know the answer herself—knowing, of course, that he may never come home. That is the nature and sadness of war.

All this pressure and stress takes a toll. Families need to talk now—talk to each other. Husbands need to open up about the war and not bottle it up. Wives need to talk about the stresses and worries they went through, feeling alone and afraid.

Talking and openness will bring healing after a painful two years. They may need to talk to each other or to a professional for help and guidance.

The Bible says in Isaiah 40:1 and part of verse 2:
“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” says your God. “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended.” (NKJV)

This is very apt and appropriate for today. The war has ended, so now there is a call to go out and comfort God’s people, Israel.

Israel needs to heal. Mental health services will be needed for the horrendous things they have been through—the difficulties and trials they have faced. They have endured all this while at the same time being vilified by the world, made to look like the evil ones when all they have done is defend themselves after the worst terror attack on Israeli soil.

Christians from all around the world need to come to Israel at this time with one purpose in mind: Comfort, comfort My people Israel.
Come to Israel and show love and kindness.
Show them that you care.
Show them that you love them.
Show them that they are not alone.

If you can’t come, then support organizations that can help bring healing to the nation—counseling organizations, medical organizations, and organizations that support the Jewish people in their hour of need.

We can all do our part to show love and support to the Jewish people. Now that the war is over and the final hostage has been released, the healing begins.

“Comfort My people Israel,” says the Lord.