"Welcome To Israel: Declaration of War"

"Stand With Israel"

Our flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv, Israel yesterday was nearly 12 hours., with no wifi available. Apparently, during 12 hours a lot can happen! We landed in Tel Aviv, turned our phones, and began to see notifications pour in about Israel being under attack by Hamas with several terrorist acts to include rocket launches, kidnappings, murders, etc. We quickly learned that an official declaration of war had been made. Immediately, we began to monitor the situation and gather as much information as we could. When we arrived and checked into our hotel in Jerusalem, we were assured that we were in a safe area, and after settling in, ventured out to take in some of the many landmarks found in Jerusalem.

With our arrival being on Saturday, we were able to witness the Jewish custom of Shabbat firsthand. Like the Sabbath in our Christian faith, Shabbat, is also considered a day of rest and worship for the Jewish people. It is kept in accordance with the fourth commandment of the Torah. This sacred day of rest is not just a custom or tradition, but a deeply ingrained part of the Jewish Israeli society and law. From sundown on Friday evening until nightfall on Saturday, the entire country comes enters a day of rest and reverence. It is a time within the Jewish community when families come together, friends gather, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life fades away. The start of Shabbat is signaled by the lighting of candles and the recitation of blessings. The stop time of Shabbat is marked by the appearance of three stars in the sky, signaling the end of this special day and the beginning of a new week.

During Shabbat, certain customs are followed to honor and observe this sacred day. One of the most well-known customs is refraining from any form of work, known as "melacha." This includes activities such as cooking, cleaning, and even using electronics. Instead, this time is dedicated to prayer, reflection, and spending quality time with loved ones. It is also customary to attend synagogue services, where prayers are recited, and the Torah is read. Our team was able to witness this directly when we to the Western Wall. In addition to this, traditional dishes such as challah bread, gefilte fish, and chicken soup are prepared and enjoyed together, creating a sense of unity and joy.

While it was educational to learn more about our Jewish community, it is noteworthy to share the experience that Brian and I had with some of the people. While we were walking in Jerusalem, we had 2 young women approach us, clearly distraught and concerned about the state of their country. They explained to us that since it is Shabbat, they had heard some news by listening to others but had not been able to access any news directly because they cannot utilize their cell phones. They were distraught and desperate for information. Later, we came across 3 young men from Turkey who are students from the University of Istanbul. They also struck up a conversation sharing that they were very concerned about the current situation in Israel and were seeking reassurance that they were going to be alright. Lastly, we came across 2 young Jewish men visiting Israel from Brooklyn, NY. Because of Shabbat, they also had limited information and were reaching out, desperately hoping to find out what is going on.

I was reminded of two very important things following these encounters on our first day in Israel in light of the circumstances that were upon us. First, yesterday was a reminder of the uncertainty of life in this world, but it is also a reminder of the true freedom and assurance that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth to free us from the burden of sin and death, and to give us the gift of eternal life. He took the keys to death and hell and delivered us from bondage. He set the captives free! When we recieve Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are set free. We, as Christian believers, are not bound by the customs and laws that were found in the Old Testament. We live under a new, better covenant that assures of the liberty and victory we have in Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 says, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." While we are all subject to physical death, our victory and freedom from sin and death is found in Jesus. He is the one who, through His birth, death, and resurrection, gives us the opportunity to overcome and be forgiven our sins, giving us the hope and promise of eternal life with Him.

Galatians 5:1 states, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." This scripture reminds us that Jesus has given us the freedom to live life as He intended us to. We are no longer subject to the law, but instead, we are free to live in the fullness and joy of the Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." This scripture is a reminder of the immense grace of God that we have been given. We are saved from sin and death through our faith in Jesus Christ, and this is a gift that we did not and could not have ever earned on our own.

As we continue to pray for peace in Israel, let us not forget the freedom and assurance that we have in Jesus Christ. He has given us victory over sin and death, and this should always be a reminder that no matter what may come our way, our hope and salvation are found in Him! ©Rita Larson 10/8/2023

#StandWithIsrael #FreedomInChrist #VictoryInJesus #OnWordandUpWord

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