On August 27 my family and I returned to Jerusalem from a summer vacation in central Europe. For a few glorious weeks we relished the cool days, the occasional, dramatic thunderstorm and bucketing rain that left the lush, deep-green vegetation streaming and dripping for hours.
With the drought, heat waves, grime and crush of Jerusalem far away to the east, our time in southern Bohemia seemed quite “heavenly.” Early morning jogs on winding trails through the dark, majestic forests, followed by plunges in the small cold lake behind the old sawmill where my in-laws have their home – the whole experience was a God-given blessing – balm for the mind and the soul.
My wife, naturally, loved being with her relatives; the kids thrilled at running barefoot and wild in the fields, waging war on the nettles. Members of my own extended family visited too, adding to the pleasure.
Despite it all – and amidst it all – Israel remained vividly before me. Sporadic Internet access let me follow the news and, far from my post on Jerusalem’s walls, I watched as the nations continued to encircle and press ever in on the Jewish state.
The Czech Republic, statistically the most secular country in Europe, does have many believing Christians who want to learn the truth about Israel from a historical and, of course, biblical perspective. Towards the end of our stay I was invited to speak to a congregation to the east of Prague. For nearly five hours they kept me on my feet, devouring what I shared then grilling me with questions. It was wonderful how hungry they were. Some have been to Israel; more want to come.
As August wound down and we began preparing for our flight home, I reminded our six children that the people among whom they were born – in the land to which we were returning – are today become the most hated nation on earth.
“Every country stands against Israel,” I told them. “So we are especially privileged to live among them.”
While tens of millions of believers among the nations do ardently love God’s ancient land and people, every head of state without exception has chosen to accept – if they don’t as yet all wholeheartedly champion – the false Arab narrative concerning the history and ownership of the land of Israel. They have all rejected the true, Jewish version.
From the United States to the members of the European Union and the United Nations, not a single government opposes the Arab claim to the land of the Jews. United they stand behind the “two state solution” that purposes the establishment of “Palestine” in the very heart of the territory divinely and exclusively given to Israel.
Everyone, including Israel’s sworn “friends and allies,” insist that the Jews acquiesce to this theft of their patrimony – the cradle of their nationhood.
Israel’s failure to successfully comply with this demand– notwithstanding its innumerable attempts to do so against the better judgment of millions of its own citizens, and in the face of increasingly violent onslaughts upon its people – has long irritated the world.
In the “positive” global atmosphere ushered in by the rise of US President Barack Obama, Israel is well on the way to infuriating it.
As I explained this to my family, gathered as we were around the Bible, I could point out to them God’s promises to re-gather the Jewish people into their homeland, and to keep them securely there, “as a shepherd keeps his sheep.”
It really does not matter how overwhelming are the forces aligned against Israel, how determined they are to coerce the government of the Jewish state into submitting to their demands, or how powerful they believe the means at their disposal are to secure the results they want.
Ultimately it’s a lost cause for them all.
Wrote my brother upon our return: “Welcome back to the kitchen, hot and getting hotter by the day.” We flew happily back into the midst of the turmoil, quite content to affirm again that we have cast our lot with this nation.
As for me and my house, will stand with them. We will fight alongside them. We’re not afraid of Obama or Clinton or Brown or Sarkozy or Merkel. We fear neither Ahmadinejad nor Assad nor Nasrallah nor Masha’al.
Fed by the liberal media, the local rumor mill is churning out settlement freezes, new international peace conferences; upgraded versions of the ‘Road Map’; new trilateral meetings, etc. etc. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, there are lots of journalists reporting lots of things but he pays them little mind. His job is to do what he believes is in the best interest of all the people of Israel. And we pray for success in his endeavors.
Thrilling in the faithfulness of Almighty God, we choose to embrace Israel and God’s purposes for her. In this new school year, as “ordinary” life gets back under way, we will look for opportunities to encourage those we know to stop putting their trust in Washington, stop living in fear of the nations, and instead put their trust in the Lord.
Let the nations rage. Let them plot and scheme. Our allegiance is pledged to the God of Israel. If you listen carefully, you may even hear His laughter in the heavens.
And I am sure the Almighty truly laughs at the plans and schemes of the nations regarding Israel! He has a date on His calendar and it is not far away when He gathers the nations together so they can meet the Almighty for themselves! What a day that will be. He will not do in on any other location; but in Israel and Israel alone.
Praise God Stan
The Mighty God Of Israel Is about to unlease some of the Mightyest judgements that have ever been allowed to fall on a nation ……. As america desert’s Israel we are about to come under the strongest judgements to date……
Know matter what this country does as for Me & My Family We WILL follow the Mighty God Of Israel so we wait for the next move… Even though there are many mile’s between us we Stand with You in the Land Of Our Father & His Soon to be Returning SON Jesus Christ
All Our Love In Christ Jesus
Don & Tammy PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
Stan, greetings and welcome back. You were sorely missed.
FOR the United States and our blind and arrogant president and his government AND to the Almighty, “Forgive them, they know not what they do”.
Welcome back fellow ZionWarrior, pleased you were able to spend quality relaxing time with your family.
As for me and my family, although not physically located in Israel (would love to be though), we stand with Israel from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
God bless you Stan, good to have you back, have missed your writing. Keep up the good work. Exciting times ahead.
Thank you for this nice article.
Praises, praises, praises! Thank you, Stan, for speaking the truth clearly, and for faithfully standing with Israel. I agree with your post altogether, especially the last paragraph! Things are turning grim here stateside, except for believers who pray and support Israel.
Welcome back my friend. May God watch over you and your dear family during these exciting but perilous days. Know that I and a small remnant of believers here in Monroe, North Carolina stand fully alongside you in prayer. We stand with Israel and her precious people and pray for the peace of jerusalem
So glad you were able to have the respite away from home for a bit!
I’m sure many have been watching, as have I, from afar. We are also battling politically for our own freedom here. These are indeed times in which urgent intercession in prayer is needed.
Will post this article on my blog with a link, as usual. Good stuff indeed.
Hello Stan so glad you are back….am so encouraged to see God’s chosen people looking up.
Welcome back, Stan! You have been missed, but I am glad you and your dear family found rest and relaxation for a while on your vacation. I sure appreciate your comments here, and pray for Israel. I especially like: “Let the nations rage. Let them plot and scheme. Our allegiance is pledged to the God of Israel. If you listen carefully, you may even hear His laughter in the heavens.” I believe He is coming soon to judge the wicked and unbelievers, all who have set themselves against Him.
Shalom,
sharon
Welcome back dear brother! You were so very missed, and how good it is to see you back here.
I hear Him Stan. I hear Him laughing. BHO and all the other enemies of Israel are not to be feared. They may THINK themselves all powerful. But to G-d, they are as a bug. He can and will stomp them right out of existence. By the Word of His mouth, they’ll be destroyed. ALL of Israel’s enemies will be destroyed. So be it. Maranatha!
We all know THE END of The Book. ISRAEL FOREVER!!!!
Hi Stan, you have been much missed! No matter what happens remember there will always be some from every nation, tribe and tongue that stand with Israel in defiance of our leaders. Many of us in the UK have pledged to stand with Israel and with Jews everywhere because it is the express command of God and our great privelege!
God keeps His promises.
Welcome Back! I have missed reading your thoughts from our sacred Holy Land!
We are living in very unique times. We in America are watching our nation being destroyed quicker than ever imagined. The lack of respect for the unborn, the elderly and our founding fathers principles will certainly cause us continued pain. Our destruction has always been inevitable, yet under the leadership of the current administration, destruction has been accelerated!
Come Lord Jesus Come.
great article. godspeed, shalom.
remi@
This was a letter I sent to my Local Paper in Castlegar BC Canada
Reading An Open Letter to the Toronto International Film Festival Titled The Toronto Declaration: No Celebration of Occupation. They complain about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and its aggressive wars. No focus at all on the reason for the war which was years of rockets or on any wrong done by those who want to wipe Israel off the map. The Israelis are only trying to protect themselves from Anihilation once again as they did during the Holocaust. Just read the Editorial by Mark Medley in the National Post Sept 04, 2009 where he says “I think it’s reminiscent of the atmosphere in the world between 1936 and 1939, where the Jews could do no right, and the [opponents] could do no wrong. To me, this is scary stuff.”
They also mention South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and UN General Assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann as characterizing Israel as an apartheid regime. This is just nonsense. They are only trying to survive in the midst of a world that wants them not too. These two men (Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu) along with others including Mary Robinson who received a Medal of Freedom Award from Obama are a part of a Group called the Elder who I believe was started by Richard Branson (a very rich man). I just cannot see how this Group of supposedly wise people can be so blind. I may not be all that wise but I am trying to at least open my eyes to what is going on around me. I encourage others to not just assume and to search.
Welcome home, Stan, so good to have you back! Your summer vacation sounds wonderful. I thank the Lord for blessing you with this time of refreshing and strengthening, something you have already begun to pass on to us through this latest commentary.
Praise God for providing you with the opportunity to speak to that Czech congregation about Israel! Wish I could have been a fly on the wall…or just a somebody sitting in one of those seats! The God of Israel is opening the eyes and hearts of people all around the world. May He soon open the eyes of my congregation as well! This is my prayer.
Regarding “the ‘positive’ global atmosphere”, I say…Israel, keep on infuriating it!!! Cuz Stan’s right… “It’s a lost cause for them all”. Soon their knees will bow to Israel’s God, because in the midst of His laughter, the sound of getting ready for a war, and a wedding feast, can also be heard. Praise His Holy Name!
Can’t think of a place I’d rather be…back among the most hated! Wish I could be with you there!
AMEN!!! Abba will NEVER abandon His own. It matters not what ANY so-called “leader” thinks, says, or does. Abba’s will WILL be done. I am also sure that Abba laughs in the heavens….His foolishness is far above the “wisdom” of man…..!
Add this long time American Catholic lover of Israel to your ever growing list of supporters and admirers.
Stan, Fran and family. What a wonderful vacation….and now “back home.” Home…the one True home for Every Believer……one day it will be the New Jerusalem…..and I will be there with you all…..Hallelujah!!!
Todah Rabah!
You are the spiritual seed of Ten Boom, Schindler, and thousands of lesser known [but well known to Ha Shem] righteous gentiles. I am grateful for your excellent postings
Stan…what a joy to read your words again. Welcome back. After reading your column this morning, I read some in Zechariah. I was moved by promises such as these:
“I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”
“This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths”.
Those two verses come from Zechariah 8:3 and 14:12. Obviously, what Zechariah lacks in political correctness he more than makes up for in clarity and truth. God bless you, Stan, and we pray for you, your family, and Jerusalem.