V'ahavta (...and you shall love...") Hadassah from Jerusalem - “Lessons Learned from the Front Lines in Israel”

V’ahavta  

וְאָהַבְתָּ    ‘…And you shall love…’ 

V'ahavta (...and you shall love...")

Hadassah from Jerusalem

July 17, 2017

“Lessons Learned from the Front Lines in Israel”

“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10

Looking at the world headlines (or on Facebook) we read of so much suffering and disaster and wars. It seems that there is no shortage of sad and depressing news. The timetable to the ‘End’ seems to be pressing in on us at breakneck speed. How, as Believers in Y’shua, do we keep our heads up and maintain some semblance of sanity never mind joy? What are some keys to allowing these situations to strengthen us and not faint?

Having lived in Israel a combined 19 years - through several wars, terror attacks, sirens- surrounded by enemies both inside and outside the borders - the Lord has been strengthening me so as not to ‘faint’. It has been - and still is- a long difficult process. It is made more difficult by my independent attitude in thinking I can ‘handle’ what is going on around me. Rather than run to Him immediately, I would listen to all the news… and opinions about that news… bemoan the state of things, get angry or fearful or ‘super spiritual’ (Oh it’s OK- the Lord is coming soon) wax eloquent in solutions… everything BUT sit still and listen and receive instruction.

Other countries are also going thru their tribulations and trials as we come to the close of this era before the return of our Messiah and King.  Please let me (humbly) share the lessons I have – and am - learning from our front lines here in Israel. May these words encourage you and strengthen you for your own battles. Please share the things you have learned from your ‘front lines’ of battle. Let us embolden one another.

 

Battling the spiritual warfare

 * Wait on the Lord. The first and most important lesson - the place from which all else springs. Sit in His presence. Renew. Refresh. Let the time be all about Him… not everything going on. He will restore perspective. He will lift your eyes and spirit upwards. He will carry you on eagles wings and renew your strength.

* Carry ONLY what He gives you. DO NOT PRAY THE NEWS! Give a short season to read what’s happening - get educated - and then TURN IT OFF! Read the Word MORE than you read the news! Ask the Lord for Scriptures to pray. There are hundreds and He will show you which ones and how to pray them. The Word is the powerful weapon of our warfare.

* There is only ONE Messiah and it’s not me. I do not need to carry ALL the burdens that I see around me - all the things that are breaking my heart. I need to sit quietly in His presence and wait. Let Him give me HIS burden at the moment that is MINE to carry. It will hurt. It will be difficult BUT He said HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT… which means He will carry it WITH me… with a resolution in the Spirit.

* Allow your heart to be burdened with those things that burden the Lord’s heart. Don’t run from pain.

* Know and guard against the dangers of being a Burden Bearer:
-Losing your joy and sense of humor
-Becoming rigid and inflexible
-Judgmental (‘They’ just don’t get it!)
-Oppressed
-Physically tired and worn down
-Self-centered, self-pity (no one really understands the burden I’m carrying)

* As a watchman - know your ‘Wall’. What is your ‘post’? Ask the Lord for your specific area of prayer and intercession. Your duty station cannot be manned by anyone else…. Nor can you man anyone else’s.

We are truly in the End of Days. We each have an assignment from Heaven to fulfill. Be encouraged as the birth pangs increase. Be busy about the Father’s work. Redeem the time. Pray. Praise. Share. Soon… it will be over!

“Do not pray for easy lives!
Pray to be stronger men.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers,
Pray for powers equal to your tasks.
Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle,
But YOU shall be a miracle.
~Phillip Brooks~

Nissim & Hadassah

Jerusalem, Israel

Hadassah and Nissim, her accountant husband, live in a settlement just outside Jerusalem with their dog Molly. After making Aliyah (immigrating) from the U.S. with their five children in 1989, they are now semi-retired and open their home to guests and those wishing to make Aliyah. When not busy with their 16 'GrandWonders', they enjoy a quiet life of study, prayer and learning to serve the LORD.

07.17.17 #4