Despite demonic attempts to prevent it, the Gospel is spreading slowly but surely across the land of Israel! Some Jewish eyes are beginning to recognize Jesus as Messiah. Of course, the enemy of our souls won’t stand for it. Satan dispatches his demons to throw up every roadblock imaginable, but the Word of God cannot be stopped!

The same is true for you and me! The Word of God is unstoppable, so in whom and what will you put your trust in 2023? Let’s glean the encouragement of this devotional as we consider the power of God’s Word.

"But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied" (Acts 12:24). The word "but" ("de" in Greek) is a tiny little word that carries the incredible weight of impossible odds. Up till now, Luke has told us about interrogations, jailing, beatings, and persecution at the hands of the religious leaders (Acts 4:3; 5:18, 41; 6:12; 8:1; 12:4), forced exile (Acts 8:4; 11:19), public executions of Jesus' followers (Acts 7:58-60; 12:1-2), church scandals (Acts 5:1-2), famine (Acts 11:28-29), and political opposition (Acts 12:3). "BUT the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied!" Since the founding of the modern State of Israel, there have been many attempts to keep Jewish people as far away from Jesus as possible - court rulings preventing Jewish believers from becoming citizens, anti-Missionary organizations, public smear campaigns, vandalism to churches, physical violence and harassment of believers... BUT the gospel continues to make incredible progress in Israel, and the church is rapidly growing. Thirty years ago there were very few believers and barely any Messianic congregations. Today, we can find a congregation in practically every city! Whenever and wherever the church preaches the gospel (the word of the LORD), no matter what the challenges, church growth cannot be controlled, contained, or stopped by outside forces. No wonder Satan spends so much time trying to provoke us to argue about doctrines of secondary significance. BUT even then, Satan still fights a losing battle! "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it" (Isa 55:10-11).

As we peek into 2023, who will win the battle in your life as you launch into the new year? Make this the year you dive into God’s Word each day. You’ll be amazed at what it produces in you! I’m recommitted to it…who’s with me?