In the short time in being here, it doesn’t take long to know the tension the people of Israel live within.  If it is not the divisions between the multiple groups in Judaism, it is relating with their Arab brothers and sisters living within this land.  There are 6.5 millions people living in Israel with about 5 million being Jewish.  They are a small nation living in the middle of the Middle East.  They literally have enemies in every direction.  The moving exercise is when we looked out upon two enemy nations and we prayed to them.  These Messianic followers of Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus) led us to pray for their enemies. 

Jesus once said, “You have heard, love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  Matthew 5:43-45

I was blessed to be reminded why we pray for all people including our enemies.  We cried out for salvation to fall upon the people of Lebannon and Syria.  We asked God to bring his justice upon the evil one.  We prayed that just as He did on Saul’s way on the road to Damascus in Syria, may God radically save another Paul to turn his nation upside down for Jesus. 

Who do you need to pray for today?

Perhaps your heart will change as you lift this person up to the Lord.

Keep praying, even when it is hard.

The first study day, we traveled to Muhraka.  This is the site on Mount Carmel where Elijah faced King Ahab and challenged all the idol worship in the land.  King Ahab’s wife had erected altars to false gods all over the region.  Jezebel was from Samaria (West Bank), and she did not share allegiance to the one true God of Israel.  Elijah called on God to stop the rain.  This create financial crisis and led to famine.  We see later that God was working his plan to lead Israel back to Him. 

After the third year, the Word of the Lord came to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.”  So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab 1Kings 18:1

Ahab went out to meet Elijah.  When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you trouble maker of Israel.” “I have not made trouble for Israel, Elijah replied.  “But you and your father’s family have.  You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed Baals.  Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel.  And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.  Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal is God follow him.”  But the people said nothing.   1Kings 18:16-21

Elijah takes on the false prophets 450 to 1 (Impossible odds is how God likes it.  So only He can get the credit)!  He challenges them to take a bull prepare wood for a fire, and then they can call on their  gods to supernaturally light it.  He would do the same after they went. 

“Then you call upon the name of your god and I will call upon the name of the Lord.  The God who answers by fire – he is God!”  Then all the people said, “What you said is good.” 1Kings 18:24

This is what took place in the spot close to 4,000 years ago.  There is a statue of Elijah standing over a false prophet with a sword.  Another interesting part of this site was looking down on the Jezreel Valley.  Off in the distance we could see Mount Tabor and Mount Gilboa.  Down to the right was the ancient Tel Yokeam next to modern Yokeam.  Just a little further to the right was Mount Megiddo (the predicted future war or Armagiddo or Armegedden).  There are airstrips with underground bunkers for the aircrafts.  Lots to think about with the impending threats of Iran!

This land is compact.  There is not any room to wait on a first attack.  I am glad we are here to see this land.  God’s chosen land for his people – Israel.

• So what is God calling you to do?
• Are you against all odds?
• Perhaps it is time to trust God and move forward in faith.