Yesterday I did something that I had gotten out of the practice of doing. I opened up the Intercessors for Israel prayer e-mail and prayed along.
Every time that I pray along with these weekly prayer prompts, I feel so strengthened and connected to the Father. It keeps me up to date on current events in Israel, and also fills me with hope that the Father is hearing our prayers.
If I want to be so committed to this, why don’t I pray along more often?
Any excuse I come up with isn’t good enough.
I’ve always struggled with praying consistently for Israel for years. I’m not proud of that, but it’s the truth.
Distraction is often zapping our time, efforts, and prayer life.
But if we open up the Word of Life, and quiet our soul to hear His still small voice, we will know His heart. We will know His will. We will know how to pray.
Sometimes there are many prayer requests on our hearts. We have family, friends, communities, and worldwide issues to pray for. And we need to focus on these important things. But we also need to remember to always “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
photo from pinterest
That small strip of land, about the size of New Jersey, is unlike anywhere else in the world. All the earth is His, but Israel is His special treasure.
For the YHVH has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy. “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
(Psalm 132:13-18)
His heart is for Israel.
With so many people in the world standing against Israel today, we must stand up for this Promised Land.
I set off on this past trip without knowing exactly what to expect, yet I knew that it was His trip and I was excited to see what He had in store. The Father had His hand upon this trip from the beginning (in fact, He started aligning circumstances many years ago…but that’s a whole ‘nother amazing story).
This was my first time to fly by myself, but I would connect with friends once I arrived at the airport in Tel Aviv. First, I had to fly from Atlanta to Newark. The thought of being in the Newark airport, surrounded by thousands of people, and yet being quite alone, made me nervous. One night, as I was feeling overwhelmed at the thought of flying by myself, I felt the Father lay Malachi 3:1on my heart:
“I will send My messenger before you, who will prepare the way before you.”
It filled me with courage. I wasn’t alone. He was going before me. My parents were encouraging me in this trip. They would be praying for me. My friends would be praying too. I would be praying. I had nothing to fear.
My travel went smoothly, and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the Father answered that verse directly by sending someone to accompany me on the flight over the Atlantic. I sat next to a believer in Yeshua, and we talked for hours about prayer and faith.
This was only the beginning of the many instances where the Father “prepared the way before me.” Every day He showered His love and faithfulness upon me. When I came to Israel I was thirsting for more of Him, and He filled me with living waters. I came not knowing quite what to expect, and He blew me away with His plans. I came wanting to serve, and He allowed me to sweat under the Golan sun, plucking out weeds in the gardens and singing (I worked alongside an amazing woman of faith who also had a passion for prayer and praise).
It was hard to leave. It’s always hard. But this trip was harder. I connected to Israel on a deeper level. I also got to visit some places that I’d never been before (like “Samaria”–the heartland of Israel).
This land is special in Yahweh’s eyes.
Every promise written in Yahweh’s word will come true. No matter what the news predicts. No matter what the future looks like from our human point-of-view, we can look to the Word of God and know that Israel will be restored (physically and spiritually). We know that there will be (and is!) an ingathering from the North and the South, the East and the West, back to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:6). We know that the desert will blossom like a rose (Isaiah 35:1). We can see it happening. We know that salvation (Yeshua) will shine forth out of Zion (Isaiah 62:1).
I’ve shared many of my pictures from this trip on Flickr: Israel 2016
I hope that these pictures will bring Israel closer to you today. If you love Israel, then no matter how far away you are from it today, no ocean can separate you. You can still pray. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the leaders. Pray for the believers and the non-believers. Pray about how you can bless Israel personally. (FYI: Here is a wonderful newsletter that sends out prayer points for Israel every week: Intercessors for Israel).
We live in the days when the “dry bones are coming to life” (Ezekiel 37). We live in the days when the tribes are gathering in Jerusalem once again (Psalm 122).
Tomorrow I’m leaving for Israel where I’ll be living on a Christian kibbutz for 5 weeks! This opportunity is purely a gift from the heavenly Father. I can’t wait to see what He has in store. This is His trip.
I look forward to sharing pictures and stories with y’all when I get back. :)
Until then, shalom & blessings!
Ahava,
Joy
P.S. I wanted to share these lovely verses and quotes about Israel.
I see highs and lows. I see battles that raged in my soul, and victories. I see laughter and tears. Memories. Fears. Doubts. Faith that overcame. I see ways my heart changed, and ways it didn’t. I see lessons I learned, and lessons I’m still learning.
I see how gracious my Savior has been to me each step along the way, and my heart is overcome with thankfulness.
I’m thankful for family.
There’s truly no place like home. No one like family. I’m thankful for my family’s’ passion for Yahweh–their devotion to living out His Words, even when it’s counter-culture. I’m thankful for their jokes that make life fun, and the memories that only we share.
I’m thankful for friends.
They become family. They encourage me when I’m down. They point me back to Yeshua. They inspire me. They bless my heart more than they’ll ever know. Each one is special to me.
I’m thankful for Israel.
For the opportunity to visit the Promise Land once again. To walk where Yeshua walked. To smell the spices in the market. To hear the wailing at the Wall. To listen to music on the streets of Jerusalem. To hear what used to be a dead language–Hebrew–being spoken once again by its people. To see the sun peaking through the clouds over Jerusalem, and to remember that one day those clouds will break, and Messiah will return to Mount Zion, the city where Yahweh placed His name forever. To be able to pray for the peace of that city, of that nation, of the people I love.
I’m thankful for words.
Short ones. Long ones. Crazy ones. Simple ones. I love how they string together to form lyrics or poems or sentences or 1,000 page novels. I love how they carry meaning. How they paint pictures in our minds. How they transfer thoughts and feeling so well, and yet how much they don’t. I love how they’re powerful. How they’re life-giving. How they fill my heart with joy.
I’m thankful for Creation.
The world outside my window. That world where I should spend more time, because it’s not artificial. It’s not man-made. It’s Yahweh-made. It was spoken into existence by His Words. The place where I’m surrounded by the simple things like birds and trees and rocks and flowers. The things that Yeshua used in His parables, because they’re the basic components of life.
I’m thankful for music.
For the way that my heart soars with the drama of a heartfelt song, and the way it’s calmed by a peaceful hymn. The way that voices blend together in praise. The way that music carries me to a deeper understanding of life and faith and how they connect together.
I’m thankful for art.
Not so much the painting on the wall, but the little things that inspire me–the beautiful things in life. A burst of sunshine through the window on a rainy day. The baby that gently falls asleep in my arms. The laughter that makes me feel better. The moments when I’m overcome by the presence of my Savior.
Which leads me to what I’m thankful for most of all.
I’m thankful for Yeshua.
I’m thankful for my precious Messiah, who is the reason I’m alive. The reason that I can enjoy any of these things. He’s my life. My hope. My best friend.
I don’t know where He’ll take me this year.
But I do know that He’ll lead me by His hand.
Day by day.
Through every season.
I’m thankful for 2015.
When you look back at 2015…what do you see? What are you thankful for?
There were lots of pictures taken on this trip. Between my brother, my friend Melanie, and me, there was almost always a photo being snapped as we toured the Land.
Photographing the photographers! :)
It’s always good to find a balance when traveling though, and at times I purposefully left my camera behind, so I would enjoy the sights without staring through a lens. But, alas, pictures and videos are the best for saving memories, and they’re also perfect for sharing with others. So quite often I had my little point-and-shoot on hand, because you just never know when you’ll discover something beautiful.
Here are some pictures and passages.
Feast of Tabernacles
Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are natives of Israel dwell in booths, so that your generations know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am יהוה your God.’” (Leviticus 23:42-43)
These booths (Sukkot in Hebrew) are set up all over Jerusalem outside restaurants and homes. Many of them are decorated elaborately, and at night you can hear the families gathered inside, singing in Hebrew, chanting prayers, or talking to one another.
Photo by Melanie
For in the day of evil He hides me in His booth; in the covering of His Tent He hides me. (Psalm 27:5)
Jerusalem
It’s estimated that 100,000 people came to Israel for the festival!
Thus said the Master יהוה, “Once again I shall let the house of Israel inquire of me to do for them: I shall increase their men like a flock.“As a set-apart flock, as the flock at Jerusalem at her appointed times, so shall the wasted cities be filled with flocks of men. And they shall know that I am יהוה.” ’ ” (Ezekiel 36:37-38)
Thousands gathered to hear the priestly blessing at the Wailing Wall.
The Jerusalem March went up the street across from where we were staying. It was amazing to see thousands of Christians from around the world showing their support for Israel.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion exult in their King. (Psalm 149:2)
These gentlemen brought smiles to our faces as they bursted out singing in the Old City.
Walking through the Arab bazaar is like walking through a kaleidoscope, with shops overflowing with zillions of shiny and colorful trinkets for sale. It’s quite different than shopping in the United States, since the shop owners expect you to haggle for the price that you want. Sometimes you have to walk away to get them to lower the price enough. You can get a good deal if you play it tough. ;)
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. (Proverbs 20:14)
Photo by Melanie
Sweet Home Alabama followed us there!
I loved the delightful umbrellas hung above this street. :)
The Galilee
And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea.” (Mark 4:1)
This tour boat on the Galilee is called the “Jesus Boat.” From the shores of Capernaum, we could hear the Christian music they were playing.
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He went into the congregation and taught. (Mark 1:21)
This is an ancient synagogue at Capernaum.
“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to the grave. (Luke 10:15)
We have only the remains of this city today, just as Yeshua prophesied.
En Gedi
After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)
This is one of the many waterfalls at Ein Gedi (an oasis in the Negev desert). I can see why David and his men hunkered down here!
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of יהוה ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God “See, I am doing what is new, let it now spring forth. Do you not know it? I am even making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. “For יהוה shall comfort Zion, He shall comfort all her waste places. For He makes her wilderness like Ěḏen, and her desert like the garden of יהוה. Joy and gladness are found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of song. (Isaiah 40:3)
There were lots of ibex in the park. Isn’t this one adorable?
The Garden Tomb
“He is not here, for He was raised, as He said. Come, see the place where the Master lay.” (Mathew 28 6)
This is said to be the Garden Tomb. It is one of the most beautiful places in Jerusalem. Wafting through the air was the sound of a tour group from Africa singing “It is Well With My Soul” in their native tongue.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
!ישוע חי! עם ישראל חי
{Yeshua (Jesus) is alive, the people of Israel are alive!}
I hope you have enjoyed this mini tour of Israel, and I hope that one day God will make a way for you to visit His Land too. Pictures truly don’t do it justice. There’s no place on earth like Israel, and no other city like Jerusalem. Out of all the earth, this is where Yahweh has placed His Name forever. It’s where Yeshua walked,. It’s where Bible stories come alive.
It’s also where tension and terrorism is raging right now.
Let us never forget to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the House of יהוה.” Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built As a city that is bound together, Where the tribes have come up, The tribes of יהוה, A witness to Israel, To give thanks to the Name of יהוה. For there the thrones of right-ruling were set, The thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Let those who love You be at rest. Peace be within your walls, Rest in your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and companions, I say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the House of יהוה our God
I seek your good.
“For יהוהyour God is bringing you into a good land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise יהוה your God for the good land He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10).
I am so thankful to Yahweh for the opportunity to visit that good land.
Here’s some of the beautiful things:
Sabbath in Jerusalem Jerusalem honors the Sabbath unlike any other big city in the world, and that’s an amazing thing to be a part of.
The market on the Sabbath
Visiting a Messianic Synagogue The congregation was overflowing with believers form all over the world. There was such diversity, and yet so much unity. The teacher talked in Hebrew. Someone in the congregation translated into English (for which I am very thankful!). A lady sitting in front of me took notes in Chinese, and a lady behind me quietly translated the teaching into Norwegian for her friends. His message was themed on Joshua 1:7–“be strong and courageous”–and how we should not fear death. It was especially powerful considering that it was preached at the start of this recent wave of hostilities in the Land. There was such peace in all of our hearts as we sang familiar hymns and Hebrew songs together, including some of my favorites: Ram Venisa, Come Thou Fount, and Blessed Assurance
The sandy hills of the Judean Dessert Not only was the desert picturesque, it was also fascinating to see Bedouin dwellings, camels, and shepherds leading their flocks of sheep, as we drove along the highway. It reminded me of Yeshua calling Himself the Great Shepherd, and explaining that we are the sheep of His pasture. Suddenly 2,000 years seemed so much closer.
Washing clothes by hand Okay, so this might sound like an odd “beautiful thing,” but I felt like a real Israeli as I washed my clothes by hand in the apartment where we were staying. The kitchen window was open and I could hear Jerusalem outside and breathe its dry air. (Any time that I get to feel like a native, it’s a beautiful thing.)
The worker who loved his work He was an older man, with a gentle smile, kind eyes, and a peaceful countenance that defied the noise and hustle of the open-air market. I could tell that he delighted in his job as he slowly selected the carrots, oranges, apples, or pomegranates–whatever we requested–to press into juice. He told us how it was good for our health, and seemed to get as much pleasure in serving us and as we did in sipping that delicious fresh-pressed juice.
Israeli flowers
I love how many beautiful flowers there are in Israel, especially considering that it’s in a desert climate.
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” (Isaiah 35:1a)
Reading Hebrew This was my first trip to Israel since learning how to read Hebrew. It was exciting to read the signs and labels and be immersed in a culture where Hebrew is the native language. Note to self: I should have learned to read a long time ago! (It’s actually quite easy.)
Fellowshipping in the park with friends When family in Messiah from all over the world gathers in His city at His festival to worship Him, it’s the most beautiful thing of all! Here’s one of the songs we sang together (led my James Block).
P.S. If you’ve never heard James Block’s music, I’d highly recommend you do. He mostly sings the Psalms and returns God’s Hebrew names to the text.
I know it’s been a while since I last posted. Life has been busy and blessed, and I’ve been taking more time to cherish this thing called “life” rather than write about it. Sometimes it’s good to take a break, but I’m looking forward to sharing about the many things that Yahweh has been doing in my life.
A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity of celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in Jerusalem with some of my family and many friends from around the world.
We joined a group of believers for an amazing time of prayer for the Land of Israel. (It was hosted by Cry for Zion.)
It was a good trip, with lots of sightseeing and memory making (it was my brother’s first time in the Land.).
It’s hard to describe a trip to Israel. It’s not like a normal “vacation,” because Israel is different than anywhere else in the world. Every time I’m there, it’s life-changing. This time one of the lessons that hit home with me is that I need to be praying for Israel more than I have been.
While I was there I felt the tension in the air. Psalm 122–“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”–takes on a deeper meaning when I’m standing in its streets, when friends talk of the riots that raged outside their hostel, when an ambulance speeds past, and when news reports are from just up the road.
Since flying back to the States, the tension in Jerusalem has risen drastically. Places where we felt safe a few weeks ago have now been affected by terrorism.
So often in the States, I live my life without standing for Israel like I should. It’s during these times when Israel is in distress that I feel the most unhelpful. But there is one thing I can do–something any of us can do anywhere–pray.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. (Isaiah 62:1)
During my Bible reading, the promises to Israel have been jumping off the pages. Yahweh has made a covenant with Israel, and He never breaks his covenants. He has promised to give the Land of Israel to the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob forever; and He is faithful to His Word. He has not forgotten His Land, and we shouldn’t either.
But I want to do more than just pray for Israel. And as I seek the Father, surely He’ll show me what to do. He has ways for all of us to stand for the Promise Land.
It is by His strength that Israel will become all that He has promised it to be.
“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
(Isaiah 65:18-19)
I long for the day when Yeshua Messiah brings peace to Jerusalem.
Those who trust in יהוה are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So יהוה surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.”
(Psalm 125:1-2)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let those who love you be at rest.”
(Psalm 122)
A memorial to Jewish soldiers who fought against the Nazis
Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I don’t quite know what to say…
But I must say something.
There are horrible things that happen in this world. And sometimes I wonder why I am blessed to be alive and happy and to feel the sunshine kiss my face.
What makes me different than any of those six million lives that died in the massacre of the Holocaust?
Nothing really.
We are all just as human, just as loved by God, just as fragile and dependent on Him.
Life isn’t fair, and that is hard to understand.
The holocaust is atrocious. It’s a reminder of how wicked mankind becomes when we reject God and follow our sinful inclinations. But what I want to share today is not another graphic reminder of the horror that engulfed so many.
What I want to share is hope.
Mount Herzl in Jerusalem (near the Holocaust Museum)
The Nazis tried to put an end to the Jewish people. But you know what?
They failed.
Israel is a living testament that the Nazis didn’t win in the end.
I’ve been blessed to visit that land several times. I’ve seen with my own eyes that Yahweh has returned the Jewish people to their home. I’ve walked in the streets of Jerusalem and heard the Hebrew language being spoken and songs being sung.
I’ve visited Holocaust museums in the Jerusalem, but after each dreadful visit, I’ve always stepped outside into the sunshine again to see Israel alive and well.
I’ve heard stories of the courageous souls that defied Hitler. Some gave their lives. In every generation, there are those who will stand for justice. There are those that believe in hope.
We live in a broken, sinful world, y’all, but Yahweh takes the brokenness and makes something beautiful in the end.
We can shake our fist at heaven or we can fall on our knees and let Him lift us up again.
He alone can give us hope.
As we remember the Holocaust, let’s also look at the future.
The day was June 7. It was the Sabbath, and a group of believers from all over the world had gathered at one of the main parks in Jerusalem. Kids ran across the grass and played in the bubbling creek under the trees while the adults sat on blankets in the sun and discussed Scriptures and current events. My dad shared a teaching on the book of Ruth, and then one of the ladies suggested we read Psalm 96.
“I read it last night,” she explained, “It’s such a lovely psalm.”
I tried to remember it, but nothing came to mind.
One of the men began to read it:
(Note: יהוה is the name of God, commonly pronounced as Yahweh)
Sing to יהוה a new song, Sing to יהוה, all the earth! Sing to יהוה, bless His Name, Proclaim His deliverance from day to day. Declare His esteem among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
It began like so many other psalms, but from the beginning I was captivated by it.
For great is יהוה and greatly to be praised, He is to be feared above all mighty ones. For all the mighty ones of the peoples are matters of naught, But יהוה made the heavens. Excellency and splendour are before Him, Strength and comeliness are in His set-apart place.
Perhaps it was within Jerusalem that the psalmist first sang these words. Perhaps that’s what caused them to come alive to me.
Ascribe to יהוה, O clans of the peoples, Ascribe to יהוה esteem and strength. Ascribe to יהוה the esteem of His Name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Bow yourselves to יהוה,
In the splendour of set-apartness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among nations, “יהוה shall reign. The world also is established, immovable. He judges the peoples in straightness.”
I had memorized those verses years ago.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Let all the trees of the forest then shout for joy, At the presence of יהוה.
Creation itself was singing. I must join the chorus.
For He shall come, For He shall come to judge the earth. He judges the world in righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.
The chapter stunned me. It’s a cliche, but at that moment I felt that the psalm had been written just for me. I had found my life motto. Psalm 96–it was the same number as the year I was born.
The psalm called me to sing for joy. It called me to ascribe the greatness of God. It called me to remember that justice conquers and truth still reigns.
I felt a tugging at my soul to be the singer that God called me to be. He had never explicitly told me “be a singer,” but he had been leading my heart in that direction for many years.
He was calling me to get over my stage fright, and sing praises in the company of others, not just myself.
But singing praises doesn’t just mean singing songs. It means living praises.
How we live is how we sing. Our lives are our greatest songs.
So let us embrace Psalm 96:
Sing to יהוה a new song,
Sing to יהוה, all the earth!
Sing to יהוה, bless His Name,
Proclaim His deliverance from day to day.
***
P.S. Thank you Elisefor prompting me to share this story.
Today’s “quote of the day” on www.dictionary.com touched a topic dear to my heart–Israel:
Israel is truly a land of miracles. David Ben Gurion, the main founder and first Prime Minister of the Sate of Israel, knew that first hand.
Israel was established in 1948 and was attacked by Arab armies on the same day. With only one tank, twenty-eight scout planes, and no war planes, the odds were against this newborn state. Even the experienced British Field Marshall, Bernard Montgomery, predicted that Israel would last only two weeks, and yet it miraculously survived.
Israel is smaller than New Jersey, with a population half the size of Metro New York. It is only sixty five years old, and yet…
Israel’s scientific research institutions are ranked third in the world.
Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation in the world per capita.
Israel has more museums, orchestras, and published books than any other nation per capita in the world.
Israel has the largest number of start-up companies per capita in the world.
Israel has the highest number of engineers, physicians, PhD’s, scientists, and technicians per capita in the world.
and the list goes on…
Israel is the only nation whose people have returned to its land after 2,000 years of forced exile. It is the only nation that has revived a dead language. Israel is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Jeremiah 16:15: “The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them. For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.”
