Hope in the midst of war

About a week ago, we returned from Israel. 

It was truly an amazing experience, a testament to God's protection. 

For five days—rather, the nights—we spent time in bomb shelters. 

It's really... interesting, though that may not be the best word for it.

Sitting in a shelter, waiting for rockets to fall and not knowing where they would land was a unique experience.

Somehow, this time spent in uncertainty brought us closer to God, reminding us that we are ultimately in His hands, relying on Him every moment of our lives. 

In such moments, it’s best to turn to the Word.

As you may know every week, we follow a designated reading from the Torah, the Prophets, and the New Testament. It is called Parsha - The readings.

During our stay, the readings included passages from the prophet Jeremiah, particularly chapter thirty-two. As we know, chapter thirty-two follows chapter thirty-one, which contains the remarkable promise of a new covenant with Judah and Israel. 

Chapter thirty-two is incredible.

God instructs the prophet to buy a specific field from someone.

While that may seem ordinary, the circumstances are significant: Jerusalem is under siege, and the king has imprisoned the prophet for speaking uncomfortable truths.

Sometimes, the messages from prophets are not always pleasant. The truth about ourselves can often be difficult to accept, as it touches the essence of who we are. 

In the midst of a besieged city and a confined prophet, God commands him to buy land, seal the deed in a clay jar, and bury it.

He promises a time when land will be bought in Israel once again.

It’s amazing to realise that our current reality is not the only one we face; there is a hopeful future ahead.

This promise that God made to Israel and Judah is beautifully fulfilled through our Lord.

Through His death, He established a new covenant that includes not only Jewish people but also all nations, all who believe in Jesus the Messiah.

It’s a beautiful reality of which we are all a part. 

Lastly, I want to thank everyone for your prayers and thoughts during this time.