Israel - the Holy Land. The land overflowing with milk and honey. The very first nation we encountered.
With a lot of faith and no set plan we arrived at Ben Gurion in the early hours of the morning. This was it. Too late to look back, too soon to say what lay ahead. We just knew it was going to be a grande adventure with Jesus. And it was. Sleeping on the rooftop of a hostel with the most incredible view of Jerusalem, spontaneously dancing at the Western Wall - we did it all. All that the city had to offer we drank in. Even if that meant walking an endless set of steps up the Mount of Olives or hiring the smallest, cheapest car possible to explore. We walked everywhere we could, tried everything the budget allowed and made the most of every oppurtunity.
All around the city historic places invited us in for 'spiritual experiences' but after three processions and a lot of incense we realised this is not where we would find Jesus. Jesus is not in those places anymore, He's made His home in our hearts. No doubt that these are special places, but the place where we experienced Jesus most was when the day broke over Jerusalem, seeking Him in the House of Prayer, having hours of fellowship with fellow believers and sharing communion with family in Christ from America at the Garden Tomb.
During all of this He has filled us with rivers of joy, overflowing out to the nation and to each other.
How blessed we are to know the Messiah, to call Him friend and to walk with Him in unity.
'The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: “Praise the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His mercy endures forever”— and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the Lord.'
- Jer. 33:11
Jerusalem, we bless you with this scripture:
For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace,
And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
And her salvation as a lamp that burns.
The Gentiles shall see your righteousness,
And all kings your glory.
You shall be called by a new name,
Which the mouth of the Lord will name.
You shall also be a crown of glory
In the hand of the Lord,
And a royal diadem
In the hand of your God.
You shall no longer be termed Forsaken,
Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate;
But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah;
For the Lord delights in you,
And your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a virgin,
So shall your sons marry you;
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So shall your God rejoice over you.
- Isaiah 62:1-5