A Matter of Faith

We’ve been back in England for just over two months now, and it’s been really good. The holiday (vacation) cottage we’re staying in is lovely, with a field adjoining it, giving us a beautiful country view. The only sad part is that lockdown started again, so we haven’t been able to see as many friends as we’d hoped.

There was so much to get done once we arrived—after our two-week quarantine, of course. I had to make a trip to Wales to prove that I can speak English. Our big caravan had to be collected from the storage yard, cleaned, and sold. We also travelled to Exeter to have a photo taken, my fingerprints uploaded, and my citizenship papers submitted.

In addition, two sheds at Pete’s parents’ house needed sorting through, along with some items in their loft, to decide what to keep, sell, or throw away. God even sent some rats and mice into the sheds, which meant certain things had to go straight to the dump—making the process a little easier for us!

Be exalted, God, above heaven! May Your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 57:12

Then the buying began—boots, shoes, jeans, coats… shirts and jeans for Pete, and a few dresses for me. With lockdown in Israel and living so remotely, buying clothes isn’t nearly as straightforward as it is here in the UK. eBay won’t be at our fingertips, and there’s no next-day Amazon Prime delivery. Honestly, I’m really looking forward to that change.

Pete has also had to step into a very unfamiliar role for him—reaching out to people to share what we’ll be doing at HaYovel, to talk about the restoration of the land, and to ask others to support us in the work ahead. Initially, the plan was to meet with people in person, but once lockdown began again, that wasn’t possible. So we finally relented and started using Zoom. It was a bit daunting at first, but he’s becoming a natural now, which is wonderful to see.

But as for me, I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will sing aloud of your grace. For you are a fortress, a refuge when I am in trouble. Psalm 59:17

It has truly been such a blessed time for us. After a few weeks, Pete decided that he couldn’t keep his business going. He wants to be able to focus fully on what God is calling him to do in Israel, without the constant worry of money and wages.

As a result, it’s been really wonderful. He’s been able to be at home most of the time, sharing meals together and parenting the children alongside me.

But sometimes, when we stop and really think about what’s going on in the world right now—and that we’re packing up to return to Israel amid so much uncertainty and travel restriction—a little doubt does creep in. I’ve stopped watching and listening to the media, because I’ve learned that to keep my faith strong I need to look up and not out. It doesn’t always take much to knock me from my perch.

That said, I’ve been deeply encouraged by Abba. I’m reading through Jeremiah at the moment, and almost every day there are passages that speak straight to my heart. One morning, before opening my Bible, I asked Abba whether all of this was really going to be possible. And then I received this word…

Then He says “Look, I am YHVH, the God of every living creature; IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME? Jeremiah 32:27

So there you have it. We are packing and getting ready, regardless of what is happening around us. We will trust in the Lord, our strength. At the time of writing this (not necessarily when it is posted), it is three weeks until we fly out.

Something that has really struck me as I read through Jeremiah is the number of promises Abba makes to Israel. Time and again, He says that He will bring them back—to Himself and to their land. It is so beautiful to read. To realise that what is happening now are the birth pangs of redemption. Full redemption will only come when Messiah returns, but we can be the Elijahs and help prepare the way. How exciting.

I will surely gather My people from all the lands to which I have banished them in My furious anger and great wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them dwell in safety. They will be My people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.

It is so exciting to see it happening—to witness how the land has responded, and is still responding, to the Jewish people returning home: planting vines and olive groves, producing honey, pottery, and jewellery, and bringing flocks of livestock back to the mountains of Samaria and Judea.

It is also beautiful to see how Abba has called non-Jews who love Him and His people to come alongside them, to work with them and support them in what they are doing.

What a great God we serve—One who keeps all His amazing promises.

I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me. Yes, I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. Jeremiah 32:37-41

And so, as we all—God’s children—ride out the storm, let us remember who He is and what He is able to do. Psalm 46 captures it so beautifully.

Shalom!

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge.

Selah

There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns. Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth. He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

(A note about the first photo. It was taken by a dear friend of mine who lives in Saudi. She went on a camping trip into the Arabian desert, and there took some photos of Mount Sinai. How amazing it would have been to be standing there at the base of that mountain, and seeing God's Glory manifested.)