Blessed is the one who fears the Lord
Blessed is the one who walks in His ways
His blessing will be like this:
- He’ll see the fruit of his hard work
- He’ll see these divine riches:
- His wife will be like a fruitful vine
- His children will be like olive plants
- He will see his grandchildren
- He will see the good of Jerusalem
- God will bless him from Zion
I love Israel.
I love the land itself - from the deserts in the south to the lush mountains in the north.
I love the people – they’ve been kind, hospitable, generous. Secular and religious Israelis alike have shown me so much kindness and hospitality, I feel like I’m indebted to them.
I love the language. It’s the old language of prophets and kings 3000 years ago, yet revived through a small miracle in the 19th century, and spoken everywhere in Israel, albeit with a modern take on the ancient tongue.
I’ve been here almost a month now. Not on some tourist-y Disney Holy Land experience, thankfully, but instead seeing Israel for what it is, good and bad together, meeting old friends and making new ones, seeing Israel beyond just the landmarks and holy sites.
I hiked out at Karmi’el (Vineyard of God) the other day. Didn’t plan to hike there, just happened to see it as I was exploring. Next thing you know, I’m hiking for a solid 3 hours, just taking it all in as the sun set over the Haifa horizon.
At one point during the hike, I just stood there in one spot, admiring the beauty of the land as the sun went down. Thanking God out loud for bringing me here, what a privilege and honor it is to be in this land. I must have spent a good 30 minutes in that spot, just giving thanks to God.
I don’t really want to leave.
Thankfully, I am here for another week.
I am looking forward to seeing Zion one last time, to go back to old Jerusalem. Going to go there this weekend. Such a special place – every student of the Bible, every Christian, every Jew needs to go up to city of David, that ancient, history-soaked holy place!
Jerusalem – I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go up to God’s house.”
Jerusalem – my feet are now standing in your gates!Jerusalem – the city built in harmony!
Jerusalem – where the tribes of the Lord ascend as a witness to all Israel!
Jerusalem – where God’s people give thanks.
Jerusalem – where David’s throne of justice was established forever.
Jerusalem – pray for its shalom!
Jerusalem – prosperity on everyone who loves you!
Jerusalem – shalom in your gates!
Jerusalem – joy in your streets!
Jerusalem – home of friends and family!
Jerusalem – for my friends’ and family’s sake, I say, “Shalom be with you!”
Jerusalem – for the sake of God’s house, I will seek your good.
-King David, Psalm 122
Signing off (while singing the above psalm
Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim!
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