9/5/2025
"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
so pants my soul for You, O God."
Psalm 42:1
This morning I awakened alert and oriented after only three and a half hours of sleep. At least that's what my son said. I didn't recall that it was that late or early in the morning when I went to bed, but he goes to bed so early, and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he goes to the Y to swim when it's still dark outside, I guess he would know. I was tempted to lie back down at 7 am, but Alex was already at the window reminding me that it was time for his next meal - this was after his midnight snack. Mia was still resting, so she waited peacefully until I was finished with Alex. If cats twirled their eyes, I know that she was doing that. She does not enjoy playing second fiddle to him.
When I turned on my computer to get it ready for my daily prayer call, I saw the face of one of the hostages still being held by Hamas and saw the video of another. Both of these young men, 24 years of age, have been "featured" by the terrorists on more than one occasion, at various stages of their torture, starvation, and hideous mistreatment, now 700 days of captivity. Since Day 1 of this conflict, this horrendous crime on civilians, Hamas has sent videos to the families of the hostages in order to torment them. It is the worst form of cruelty and psychological warfare. Yet, the nations stand in support of the very terrorists who savagely murdered babies in their cribs, mutilating their bodies or burning them alive in the oven. I have covered this in the past, so I will not take the time to describe with detail the great inhumanity they have shown to the people of Israel and the hostages. Not once has Israel stooped to that level of debauchery, nor would they! It is all a game to Hamas and Iran who is behind it all. It is a demonic spirit called Amalek, of which the LORD warned Israel would be prevalent if they did not totally destroy all traces of it when they occupied the land He gave them. They are the ones starving their own people in Gaza, and if anyone protests, they are silenced, permanently. But, although I continue to speak out for awareness, no one cares. The church remains silent. And here in America, we continue to see warfare rise to new levels of hatred that is confusing our young people causing them to commit terrible crimes against the innocent. It is a sad and difficult thing to watch happen to our country, and yet few truly "see" or want to see.
The morning verse on Jack's daily prayer time is found in Psalm 119:28: "My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word." After what I described above, I can understand the weight of heaviness that causes us to sink so low, to feel crushed and poured out. Making a decision to say "Yes" to God to be His intercessor, to stand on the wall in defense spiritually of Israel and for His people, while also supporting them physically and emotionally, is like painting a target on your chest or back for the enemy to shoot at. But to those who answer the call of God, we understand the true spiritual battle is in the heavens, unseen by normal man, and many churches, who deny the power thereof. When I stand, and the enemy attacks me, my focus remains on the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. I am very much aware of where my strength comes from, and if I get knocked down, I won't stay down, rather I'm getting back up!
Even great men of God like Elijah, the might prophet of Israel; King David, a mighty warrior well-known for his victories in combat; and even the Apostle Paul had his periods of weakness, and this man single-handedly persecuted believers in Christ, but as he was on his way to do worse, with papers in hand, he had an encounter with the Living God, Jesus Christ. But all of these great men of God finished the race God had set before them, even to death or martyrdom. Pastor Jack shared that Charles Spurgeon, the great English pastor, had periods of darkness in his life and many, many victories through the blood of Jesus Christ. So we stand strong, and we continue on until our race on this earth has been completed.
This morning I was reminded of the scripture found in Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." We know our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
The main weapon in our spiritual arsenal is prayer, and to be effective we need to spend time with the LORD in prayer, seeking His direction and timing in all things. We find our strength in the secret place of the Most High. I was sharing with my group last night about a little allegory I love called Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It's a story about a young shepherdess called Much Afraid who worked in the service of the Good Shepherd. She was part of the Fearing family and lived in the Valley of Humiliation. This is her story of rising above the power of fear to find freedom and joy, even though the process takes her through the paths of grief and pain to gain the victory. It is based on the scripture found in Psalm 18:33: "He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places." and in Habakkuk 3:19: The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."
As I am well into my Sabbath rest, it is time to shut down distractions and enjoy the rest God demands we have. I feel that I enjoy the best of both worlds - Shabbat with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ, along with wild, ex-Pentecostals and other denominations who love Israel and feel called in this direction; plus, I enjoy Sundays with my friends and family members. So I have two days of rest. I love it, and I aspire to making them truly that - no distractions from the outside. Just Jesus! So don't be surprised if you call me or text, and there is a delay in my response. Just know that my thoughts are always towards you, and my prayers are continual. Shalom!
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