Hodu la Adonai.. "Give thanks to the Lord" for He is good! Monday we went to the biblical site of Kiriat Jearim, the place where the ark of the covenant was kept for 100 years after the Philistines sent it up to Beth Shemesh. The ark remained at Kiriat Jearim until King David came to bring it back to Jerusalem. We hiked along the ridge to the city, probably the same path the ark took on its way there as well!
As we stood atop the mountain, Bill reminded us again why Israel is important as a nation. She is not significant because of her size, people, terrority, or strength, but because God chose to reveal himself to her. In Israel was the place of God's abode, and it was through the Israeli people that God demonstrated His power and grace. Is it not the same with us? We are not significant until God chooses to live in us, to show His power through us so that others may see and believe! Only when God dwells within us do we have any worth, significance or purpose. But once we do, there is only one question that remains: how are we living as a result?
The people of Israel disobeyed and scorned the presence of the Lord, taking it for granted that He would always fight by their side. In fact, this was the very reason that the ark of the covenant fell into the Philistines' hands. Though we as Christians don't live with the fear of God rejecting us, we still have the choice to either live in gratitude and appreciation for what He has done, or rebel against Him!
I'll never foget standing in the catholic church on top of the hill, singing praises to our King. The sound of Emily's voice rose to the rafters and came back in perfect harmony, beckoning my heart to agree "My sin... is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord! It is well, It is well, with my soul"
So much more to come my dear! I am following your posts and hope to picture in my mind what you describe to see if I can remember it. It has been 10 years since I was there touring with with your cousin Josh. You will always be able to dig into this well as you read and seek to understand the Word. This experience is priceless. But you know that by now.
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