10/10/2025
"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying
'This is the way, walk in it,'
whenever you turn to the right hand or
whenever you turn to the left."
Isaiah 30:21
I rejoice in the faithfulness of our LORD, who is faithful to watch over His Word to perform it, in just the right timing, too! I woke up early, early this morning, as I was awakened about events happening in Israel at that very moment. With all the excitement of the planned release of the hostages after over two years in captivity, we cannot allow ourselves to slack from standing with Israel. The call as a watchman continues until we graduate to the next level and meet our Savior face to face. We are reminded daily that once the hostages are home, a long period of rehabilitation and restoration from all the trauma faced in the tunnels, in addition to coming face to face with the horrendous reality of the aftermath of that day of horrors, will need to happen. Many who been in captivity have not been told about their families, nor have the family members been given the truth about their loved ones who have been in the dark, chained, tortured, starved, and persecuted with psychological warfare, living in filthy, unsanitary places and not allowed to bathe. From time to time some family members received proof of life, but again, it was primarily for the purpose of further tormenting them. For those who are returned deceased the rigorous process of identification of the bodies must take place, as Hamas has returned unknown remains before. These two years have literally been hell on earth, or what one imagines as hell, for all concerned. Although I have never met any of these dear, precious people, I have grown to love them, as I pray for them daily, posting their photos on Facebook, both those reported as living and those presumed dead. When one is released, I weep in joy and thanksgiving, and when one is found dead, I grieve and mourn with my family in Israel. I have always prayed for Israel and love the people, but God has given me a supernatural love, and I pray most of all for their salvation, that they will know that Messiah has already come, is returning soon, and that He loves them. He is the deliverer, the only cure! When I see the people at the wall on the mount, I so want to gather them in my arms and share with them about Jesus, and how God wants so much more for them. May their eyes be opened and enlightened to the hope for which God has called them. He is the only way, and He is the only one who can heal and set the spiritual captive free.
This morning as I began to pick up where God had me leave off last week, so I could be built up and reminded of what I needed for the day, I found myself once more where God has had me return so often, where the story begins for me, the Sermon on the Mount. Before that, however, He reminded me of the enemy's attempts to dissuade me from the path He set before me. It's so easy to become distracted with so much happening, and the way the world is poorly handling "life" in general. There is so much deception, so many lies and tricks, while the enemy is gearing up for another full scale assault on the nations. It has been disheartening to watch and personally witness how many are listening to the lies, or those who are falling away from the faith, or those who are sitting on a fence with their legs dangling on both sides, afraid to commit. The only commitment that needs to be made is one to the Almighty God in whom we serve. In Israel President Trump is being exalted, while their own Prime Minister is being hung out to dry! I saw a post on the Jewish hostage family page saying "In Trump We Trust." I was appalled, as it is only God in whom we place our trust, no mortal man. Yet many people exalt man. No! God alone receives the glory. Regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu, this man has been attacked in every conceivable way by every nation. He deserves better as an emissary from God. God put the Prime Minister and President Trump in these positions, at this time, for His purposes, and it is high time people wake up and recognize that God has His hand on our countries, and He will not be mocked! We should be on our faces before a Holy God asking forgiveness and thanking Him for His favor, mercy, and grace.
Three times today the Lord pointed me to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah from three different sources. He always confirms to me in threes. The first was on the prayer call with Pastor Jack who taught from a scripture found in Nehemiah 4:17-18:
"Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me."
The Jews were held captive in Babylon for seventy years as according to 2 Chronicles 36:21 and Jeremiah 29:10. In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia's reign, God stirred his heart, so that he would show favor to Israel and send His people back to Jerusalem to build the temple, the house of God. So a proclamation was made throughout his kingdom:
"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem."
The heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and the Levites, and others in captivity who wanted to return home to Judah gathered together and returned home with the aid and assistance of King Cyrus. Among those returning was Zerubbabel who was put in charge of rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt sacrifices. Jeshua and others of the priests assisted in the rebuilding the altar and in the sacrifices and praises. The actual work on the temple did not begin until the second year, and naturally, they were met with opposition from the people who had been left in the land when the others were exiled. They included some indigenous, poor people who had been left behind to keep the land and some people the enemy sent over to occupy the land. When the leaders of this group asked to assist in the rebuilding, they were denied, because they were not part of the Jewish people. So, they looked for ways to hinder the work. Every attempt was foiled, because of the perseverance of Zerubbabel.
Ezra was among those who returned from exile during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, who was sent to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel and to see about the spiritual restoration of the people. Those born in exile had never been taught the ordinances of God, so as a scribe in the Law of Moses he was given this task. When he arrived he found that the people of Israel and the priests and Levites had intermarried with heathen nations and had children. This was not allowed, so Ezra had to deal with this abomination in God's sight, and the pagan wives had to be sent away.
Nehemiah was a cup bearer to the King Artaxerxes, and when he received word from Jerusalem that the temple had been restored, but that the walls were not repaired and gates were burned, he was grieved. So he sought the king's favor to return to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the walls. God saw to it that not only did the king give Nehemiah permission to return, but he provided for every expense, just as He did before. Naturally, as with Ezra, Nehemiah was met with opposition, delays, resistance, and threats. They resisted every effort to impede the work, and the walls were rebuilt, as noted in the above scripture from Nehemiah 4:17-18, with a trowel in one hand and a weapon in the other.
These men withstood exile, returned to face opposition and every conniving spirit who tried to stop the work of the Lord. These men were not warriors, they were priests, Levites, ordinary men who would not back down, not give up, and they fought back in obedience to complete what the Lord had told them to do. In considering the present day situation in Israel, war on every front, the horrific loss of innocent lives and military, and the fight to exist in the land given to them by God, the IDF and the leaders have stood against every onslaught of the enemy, and have resisted every attempt to destroy them. Over the two years, we have witnessed miracles, divine interventions, and stamina beyond human understanding. They have been fearless, dauntless, resilient, and they have not wavered. Led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who himself has faced so many battles, lies, attempts on his life, and the administration and military cabinet set in place, Israel has remained strong, aided by the strong support of America. God watches over His people.
Now as we wait for the hostages to come home. A plan has been put in place, hands have been shaken, words have been spoken, and Israel is following her part of the deal. There is hopeful expectation in the air, fear, concern, a mixture of feelings, families holding their breath. Only God knows, but our eyes are on Him alone.
Whenever we choose to walk with the Lord, we will be putting our lives on the line, so we must understand that surrender means giving our lives unreservedly to the cause of Christ. I have been attacked from every angle for choosing to stand with Israel and for honoring the call of God on my life. The enemy would try to make us doubt God, as he did in the Garden with Eve. So he plays on every angle in our lives to distract us, to get our focus off of the primary task. Right now in America we see chaos everywhere, homes being torn apart, sin in the camp, all kinds of folly, but we must remain vigilant and at our posts, our eye on the prize, our gaze on the Captain of the Armies of Heaven, Jesus Christ, King of kings, and LORD of lords. It's all about Him and the furthering of God's Kingdom.
Whatever you're going through, listen for the pause of heaven, listen for the still small voice. Listen closely for God's yes. These are reminders that we are hearing His voice. Stay focused!
