There is a story in my head. It's trying to be told. It's the story of where I am and how I got here. It's the story of how I learned Who my God really is. THE story. His story.
The story is as old as time. And it is relevant right now. It's a story of love and faith and grace. It's a story of rebellion and consequence. It's a story of returning. I think I'm going to tell this story, how this story relates to me, has been revealed to me. It may take weeks or months. Years maybe. But I'll tell this story here. Because really, there is no other story without this one.
***
Right now as I type there is a twist in the current chapter of the story. There is a conflict that has grown more intense than it has in decades.
It's over Israel.
This tiny piece of coveted space has been the center of war on and off for thousands of years.
It's a conflict that began with Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac. And it was compounded with Jacob and Esau. {An impressive summary on this can be found here. Actually to understand this issue reading an article like that one is necessary. I highly recommended that you read it}.
A quick bible history lesson (in case you didn't read the link): Abraham was promised blessing and land from God through His son, Isaac. Isaac's son, Jacob (who God called Israel) became the Father of 12 sons: the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes, after God freed them from Egypt, conquered Canaan which was the land God promised them (roughly where modern day Israel is, although God's borders are much larger than current Israel). Israel (at least the tribe of Judah) has lived in this land (except for 70 years of exile in about 600 BC) up until just after the time of Jesus. Around 70 AD Rome kicked them out and renamed the area Palestine (just a way to add insult to injury since biblical Palestine, Israel's old enemies, didn't even exist anymore). After much persecution and dispersion , Israel was miraculously given back a good majority of the land by the UN in 1947. Israel was reborn along with the Hebrew language. Historically, a country and language dispersed and dead had never before begun again, successfully. God promised and so it was.
Israel's enemies were not happy.
They have been trying to destroy Israel for thousands of years and it continues today.
Hamas in the "Palestinian" area in the Gaza strip have been firing rockets over the border into Israel. It had been going on for ages but the intensity has picked up. And there was also the kidnapping and murder of three young Jews. The bombing got worse and Israel warned Hamas...they didn't heed the warnings. Israel fired back. Over the last 3 weeks or so it has escalated to war-like conditions.
People have all kinds of opinions. Many Muslims are calling for destruction of Israel. Many Jews for the destruction of Palestine. Many on both sides would just like peace. I'm certain there is more to the story of the current conflict. There is always a money trail and different world powers in play. But really, it's just part of God's story for His people.
So many times hasn't apparent evil only been used to usher in God's plans?
The flood gave us the promise of peace.
A brother in a well and sold as a slave gave all of Israel hope during famine.
A cowardly king gave way to a brave Hero.
The list could go on and on...
He can uses anything to usher in His plans for His people. And He's already told us how this part of the story ends. God promised this land to Israel, and told them it would always, always be theirs {Duet 30:3-5}.
The world is choosing sides. And God was clear: He will bless those who bless Israel.
There have been riots in France and hateful speeches in Germany. Many countries are boycotting Israel. And every single country surrounding Israel wants them gone. The nations are rising up against the Apple of God's eye...again. But they are simply fulfilling the prophetic word of God.
And God told us how it all ends.
So much of the world taking a stance opposite God's chosen people isn't the only notable turn of event in this chapter.
Something else is happening.
We, many of us Christ followers, are a realizing something. God is reminding us that Israel is His. And we are His. And He has only one people. We are slowly beginning to see that 2000 years of Christianity is just as guilty as the Pharisees for replacing the commands of God with the traditions of men. So many of us are returning. We are, step by trembling step, coming back to what following God used to look like. We're following after our Messiah, beginning to walk the way He walked.
We are seeing that His appointed days are in fact appointments to meet with Him and that His commands are there to keep us safe and and they are not burdensome. In fact, doing what He said is how we show our love for Him.
This story has changed my life, my family, our walk with the living God. This story is immense and it's small. It's about all of time and eternity. And it's about my walk with my Father. It's my story. It's our story. It's His Story. So I'll keep writing as the words come to share my part of this with you.
{For more on just what this great love story is all about and who we truly are as followers of Christ, please watch this---> The Lost Sheep}
~If you'd like to hear more of this Story {and can't wait until next time}, or have a question I could humbly try to answer with you, comment here or email me on the side bar of the blog {scroll down to find the contact me form}.~
The story is as old as time. And it is relevant right now. It's a story of love and faith and grace. It's a story of rebellion and consequence. It's a story of returning. I think I'm going to tell this story, how this story relates to me, has been revealed to me. It may take weeks or months. Years maybe. But I'll tell this story here. Because really, there is no other story without this one.
***
Right now as I type there is a twist in the current chapter of the story. There is a conflict that has grown more intense than it has in decades.
It's over Israel.
This tiny piece of coveted space has been the center of war on and off for thousands of years.
It's a conflict that began with Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac. And it was compounded with Jacob and Esau. {An impressive summary on this can be found here. Actually to understand this issue reading an article like that one is necessary. I highly recommended that you read it}.
A quick bible history lesson (in case you didn't read the link): Abraham was promised blessing and land from God through His son, Isaac. Isaac's son, Jacob (who God called Israel) became the Father of 12 sons: the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes, after God freed them from Egypt, conquered Canaan which was the land God promised them (roughly where modern day Israel is, although God's borders are much larger than current Israel). Israel (at least the tribe of Judah) has lived in this land (except for 70 years of exile in about 600 BC) up until just after the time of Jesus. Around 70 AD Rome kicked them out and renamed the area Palestine (just a way to add insult to injury since biblical Palestine, Israel's old enemies, didn't even exist anymore). After much persecution and dispersion , Israel was miraculously given back a good majority of the land by the UN in 1947. Israel was reborn along with the Hebrew language. Historically, a country and language dispersed and dead had never before begun again, successfully. God promised and so it was.Israel's enemies were not happy.
They have been trying to destroy Israel for thousands of years and it continues today.
Hamas in the "Palestinian" area in the Gaza strip have been firing rockets over the border into Israel. It had been going on for ages but the intensity has picked up. And there was also the kidnapping and murder of three young Jews. The bombing got worse and Israel warned Hamas...they didn't heed the warnings. Israel fired back. Over the last 3 weeks or so it has escalated to war-like conditions.
People have all kinds of opinions. Many Muslims are calling for destruction of Israel. Many Jews for the destruction of Palestine. Many on both sides would just like peace. I'm certain there is more to the story of the current conflict. There is always a money trail and different world powers in play. But really, it's just part of God's story for His people.
So many times hasn't apparent evil only been used to usher in God's plans?
The flood gave us the promise of peace.
A brother in a well and sold as a slave gave all of Israel hope during famine.
A cowardly king gave way to a brave Hero.
The list could go on and on...
He can uses anything to usher in His plans for His people. And He's already told us how this part of the story ends. God promised this land to Israel, and told them it would always, always be theirs {Duet 30:3-5}.
The world is choosing sides. And God was clear: He will bless those who bless Israel.
There have been riots in France and hateful speeches in Germany. Many countries are boycotting Israel. And every single country surrounding Israel wants them gone. The nations are rising up against the Apple of God's eye...again. But they are simply fulfilling the prophetic word of God.
And God told us how it all ends.
So much of the world taking a stance opposite God's chosen people isn't the only notable turn of event in this chapter.
Something else is happening.
We, many of us Christ followers, are a realizing something. God is reminding us that Israel is His. And we are His. And He has only one people. We are slowly beginning to see that 2000 years of Christianity is just as guilty as the Pharisees for replacing the commands of God with the traditions of men. So many of us are returning. We are, step by trembling step, coming back to what following God used to look like. We're following after our Messiah, beginning to walk the way He walked.
We are seeing that His appointed days are in fact appointments to meet with Him and that His commands are there to keep us safe and and they are not burdensome. In fact, doing what He said is how we show our love for Him.
This story has changed my life, my family, our walk with the living God. This story is immense and it's small. It's about all of time and eternity. And it's about my walk with my Father. It's my story. It's our story. It's His Story. So I'll keep writing as the words come to share my part of this with you.
{For more on just what this great love story is all about and who we truly are as followers of Christ, please watch this---> The Lost Sheep}
~If you'd like to hear more of this Story {and can't wait until next time}, or have a question I could humbly try to answer with you, comment here or email me on the side bar of the blog {scroll down to find the contact me form}.~
What an amazing entry here. I tend to avoid conversations about religion/ spirituality because of the sensitivity, intensity, and potential for disrespect. I presume that was the incentive for your "uncharacteristic" yet necessary caveat. However I enjoy learning about His story and how it relates to status quo and current events. Re-reading about the 12 Tribes and the constant "war" over there now...always provokes questions in my mind about why He would allow ANY of it. The typical "human" response I often get is "we don't have to know or understand His motives...just like children don't often get their parents motives". Sometimes though, I want more.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for motivating me to continue my pursuit.