When The Odds are Stacked Against You

           As I reflect on our trip to Israel, I am struck by the compassion of a very “just” God.  He understands us: his creation.  He wants a relationship with each of us which in our mere human minds, seems unfathomable.  Why would our Creator choose to love us so much?  We may never understand, but we can know he keeps his promises, even when we are unfaithful. 

            On our second day in Israel, among other places, we visited Independence Hall where we listened to a recording of David Ben-Gurion proclaiming Israel's independence, on May 14, 1948.   This is significant, because the Jewish people had been scattered to the corners of the earth.  They had rebelled against God time and again and with disobedience come consequences.  They had also been a persecuted people and nearly destroyed through a horrific black mark on history: the Holocaust.  Millions were killed out of hate.  Of the nine million Jews who lived in Europe at that time, two thirds where killed; including one million children.  Yet, there was a remnant that escaped. 

            God promised one day the Jews would reunite and once again become a nation.  The Jews were still His chosen people and Israel still His Holy land.  God keeps his promises and against all odds, Israel declared its Independence, knowing there would be battles ahead they would have to face.  God’s chosen people have not only won the battle, but are standing strong as promised in the last days.  

Ezek 37:21-22…...."I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. 22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms."

Independence Hall

At Independence Hall

We also visited the Elah valley.  This was an amazing place.  We walked up a hill to an observation point where we could see the valley where David killed Goliath.  We parked where the Philistines would have camped.  We could see the stream, albeit smaller and dryer than Biblical times, where David would have chosen the five stones he put in his pouch to face the giant.   As David, the young shepherd boy, placed the stone in his sling, he wasn’t fighting the battle alone, even though the odds looked stacked against him.  Goliath after all, at seven foot tall, towered over the lad.  But David knew something Goliath did not:  His God was greater than any height, any armor, any training or any army before him.  He faced the giant not alone, as eyes perceived, but with the army of God.

Goliath was sure his insults, threats and physical abilities would deter David.  He had after all, been successful up until this time to frighten every other soldier, even the entire army before him.  No man wanted to stand before this giant and become food for the birds and beasts of the field.  What made David so different?

David knew something had to be done, despite the heckling he faced, even from his own peers. He knew to obey God would bring a powerful conclusion to the stalemate between the armies and prove that His God was mightier than anything he faced as a human.  He believed in and placed his faith in a God with a plan and a purpose.  

Elah Valley

We, like David, face problems or situations everyday that seem greater than we can bear.  Perhaps if we stop, refocus by lifting our eyes to Jesus instead of looking at our self, we may see the answer as David did, and even as the Jewish people did before they began making their way back to their homeland, Israel.  Rather than staying stuck, or sinking deeper in our dreadful situation, we can remember God has a plan and a purpose.  Take courage, ask God for guidance; then follow God’s leading, even if it means stepping out in faith, when the odds are stacked against you.

1 Samuel 17:46   Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will feed your dead body and the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God.

 The thin brown line between the trees in the foreground and the road in the background is the stream where David retrieved his stones.

The inscriptions on these "seats" are actually scripture.

 This picture is just for fun.  I caught a rather large lizard/iguana up a tree above the seats!

Ten Days of Miracles!

            God is still a God of miracles.  Many people will tell you that miracles don’t happen anymore, but I, for one, would heartily disagree!  Our trip to Israel was amazing.  The very fact that Israel became a state in 1948 is a very real miracle in itself.  We learned much, made wonderful friends and felt the power of our living God, over and over.

            What made the trip even more special was the gift of His miracles he provided.  There were the what I will call the big miracle: the day we were anchored in the middle of the Sea of Galilee when a wonderful storm blew in.  This is significant because it just doesn’t rain in Israel in the middle of May.  Typically it doesn’t rain past the end of February, but a stray shower the early part of March isn’t unheard of.  But it rained in May….the middle of May….while we were on the boat worshiping!  We had just sang the song, “Let It Rain” (spiritual rain to flood the soul) and the Pastor had just finished teaching from Mark 4 where Jesus was in the boat asleep, when the disciples woke him because a storm had blown in suddenly and they were frightened.  The storm was a miracle which we all will forever cherish!

            On the very first day there, Moran, a Messianic Jew, and owner of the tour company gave a message on Jonah asking, “What is God calling you to do?  Are you listening?  Will you be obedient?”  Jonah was an unlikely candidate who did not want to follow God’s call, and tried to run away.  Running didn’t work though, and he found himself in the pit of a whale’s stomach before deciding to obey God and finally being spit out on shore to follow the command to go to the city of Nineveh.   I will tell you God spoke very clearly to me later on the tour, in a clear, unmistakable voice in a way I never expected or have had happen before.  I am very excited and while I won’t go into the details at this time, you can be sure, “I will be obedient!” ….and will share with you later!

            Then there was the night I fell getting into the slippery bathtub and had two very bruised knees and since I hit the side of the tub right on my rib cage, I was certain I’d be sore the next day, even as I asked God to please not let this ruin my trip.  I showed Charles my bruised knees after I showered and went to bed.  The next morning, not only was there no pain in my ribs, my knees had no signs of any bruise or soreness!

            We had two days of a lot of walking up and down stairs, through the Old City of Jerusalem and through narrow tunnels that were more suited for my five foot frame than Charles’ six foot height.  This meant he stooped over and was often twisting as we made our way through the newly excavated tunnel beneath Jerusalem.  Given Charles’ health issues, we weren’t surprised when after the two days, his joints were screaming with pain.  Moran noted Charles’ pain and prayed for healing…..and it came!  Charles moved about for the remaining duration of the trip without further issue.  Even as I write this, while he still has issues, it is nothing like what he anticipated or completely expected given this activity! 

To follow this, God provided an empty seat next to Charles on the plane home to provide much needed space to stretch his legs and move around.  The lady assigned to that seat moved to another, once the plane was in the air.

            Then there was the day when a diabetic in our group found her blood sugar level extremely low after some rigorous hiking.  Yet, God didn’t allow her to crash.  He sustained her until she was able to receive the required food stuffs necessary to stabilize her blood sugar levels.  Everyone rallied around her to see that she had food and water.  Not once did she find herself in any emergency situation, despite the blood sugar count.

            I suspect every person on our tour experienced their own miracles during those ten days, besides the one we all shared on the Sea of Galilee.  God is real and wants us to know him.  What better way, when we are focused on Him, to reveal himself to us?  He is always among us.  We need only to recognize Him and welcome him in our midst.

            Just being in Israel was a miracle, but I want to go back for a moment to Jonah.  Being asked to do something by God often makes people nervous.  As humans, we are just sure we aren’t up to the task that is set before us.  Yet God knows us better than we know ourselves and has chosen us for a reason.  We are the best person for whatever he has called us to do.  What’s more, if he takes us to it, He will get us through it.  We just have to allow Him to work through us so He can be glorified.  When we are obedient and accomplish the task before us, is this not also a miracle?  God is good…..all the time!  

             I hope you will be blessed through my writings as we journey through Jerusalem, via my blog!

            The pictures I have included are those from our first day in Israel.  The first picture was taken at the airport, in mid afternoon on Saturday. 

 

 From the air port we visited Old Joppa.  It was here Jonah boarded a ship, and then tried to flee from God, fearful of what God wanted him to do. 

Note the whale statues commemorating Jonah's departure from this city on his way to Ninevah before being swallowed by the whale....

 Jonah 1:2-3 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:  "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."  But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

 The next two pictures are of ruins of The Lion Temple where ritualistic sacrifices were held during the time of the Canaanites.  A lioness skull and part of a statue of Aphrodite was also found here which were indications of the ceremonies held in this place.  

  

 

 The last three are views of the modern city of Tel Aviv, the cultural, financial and entertainment city of Israel.  It is often called, "The city that never sleeps," due to the nightlife offered in the area.

           

Next week I will share "Day 2" of our incredible visit to Israel!  I hope you'll join me!

You Lose, Satan!

I had the misfortune this week of being bit on my index finger by a frightened young kitten.   He was terribly upset, and undoubtedly meant no great harm when he sank his razor sharp teeth into my finger (well, maybe a little at the time!) since he began purring as soon as the deed was done!  The bite was deep and caused a good deal of pain for a short while.  I took the necessary steps of cleaning and peroxiding the area and felt confident all was good, but agreed when we went into town the next morning, which was already a planned shopping day, to stop by the Base hospital and get a tetanus shot since I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had one.   In just an hour or so, I began to see swelling, so I iced it and still wasn’t terribly concerned. 

The next morning, as planned, we stopped by the Base to get the tetanus shot.  When the tech looked at my hand, he immediately said that perhaps this needed further attention so he went to get someone with more authority.  After questions about the cat and us being unable to prove the little guy had any shots, the next tech looked at my hand and said, “I think you might need rabies shots.” 

Surprised, I hesitated, but responded, “Well, okay.”  They then proceeded to explain the process:  One today, another on the third day, the 7^th day and 14^th day.  The only problem with that is I would be in Israel when it came time for the last shot!  My response:  “I will not forego Israel for rabies shots!  I will start them all over again, if necessary!”  I was adamant with every doctor I saw that day!

As it turned out, I ended up with six shots for the day, plus an IV of extra antibiotics since by afternoon the hand was clearly infected with some type of bacteria!  Phone calls were made and it was decided that I could get the last shot in Israel and if worse came to worse, the rabies hotline the doctor called, assured me I could have the last one done here if  I got it the day I returned home.

As we finally made our way home in late afternoon, I couldn’t help but chuckle at my husband, Charles’ comment:  “Well, I’ll bet Satan is mad and saying ‘Oh great!  Now she’s on the mend!”

It’s true, when we hold our ground with Christ against whatever Satan throws at us, we do make him mad.  But we overcome!  I have no doubt Satan was pleased as punch at the very thought of deterring us from this trip.  He knows we will never be the same again.  To walk where Jesus walked, to see the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Carmel Mountain, Armageddon, Caesarea Philippi and so much more, will change the way we view God’s word.  It will become more personal, more real, tangible and powerful.  I am looking forward to this trip, because I know it will be a once in a lifetime blessing.  Let Satan be mad!  We aim to make this trip to Israel and with God’s grace, we will overcome!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."   John 16:33

(The picture included above is of our own sweet "Little Bear" not the little one that bit me!)

Honoring God

            As my quiet time came to a close, I stopped thinking and just tried listening, hoping to hear God’s voice.  The scripture from Proverbs 31 came to mind, so I reached for my Bible and read the chapter.  At the conclusion I was left with this feeling of total incompetence.  I simply was not doing enough.  I surely don’t come close to matching the woman described as a “wife of noble character” in this chapter.  I would have to make changes!  I would begin rising earlier and working later, doing less of “nothing” and concentrating on using my time wisely and being more productive!                                                                                        

            Then I read the commentary below the scripture.  It pointed out that women, like me, often compare themselves to this passage and like me, feel inadequate!  Yet, no woman can be perfect or completely measure up to these standards.  Frustration and despair would set in if we believed we needed to be this person!  Further, God accepts us just like we are and we should allow God to change us into the image he wants us to be.  If God can accept us, we should be able to accept ourselves.  As we grow, we will begin to reveal the characteristics that demonstrate the unmatched perfect wife.

            Accepting myself, can be a struggle, however.  I am far from who I would like to be!  I am a procrastinator in some areas and tend to put off what needs to be done.  This happens primarily in my writing when I have a large daunting assignment ahead of me.   This may be perhaps out of fear of failure or again from the feeling of inadequacy.  I find when I break a project down into sections, I do much better, because I can look at the small tasks without the great fear of the massive undertaking.  This is a good thing considering I want my writing to be fruitful and to always honor God.

            So I find myself changing my prayer, somewhat!  Instead of “Lord give me motivation to study more, to write more, to be a better wife….” which are all about me, I want to pray that he would give me a heart to keep striving to become the woman he wants me to be.  I need to pray that more than anything I would love him first and more than anything else.  Then pray for his direction, guidance, and that his kindness be reflected in all I do.

            When I do this, I am honoring Him and making my life about Him, not me!         

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10