The Wailing Wall

 



Going to the Western Wailing Wall was one of the highlights of my visit to Israel.  Precious souls stood at the wall for hours, rocking their heads against its stony surface.  We waited patiently and carefully worked our way through the mass of people standing in the area.  As I stood next to the wall placing prayer requests from friends and family in its crevices, I looked to my right and noticed a young girl with her small hand resting up on the wall.  Her fingers would curl and then unfold as she pressed her forehead to the wall reciting prayers.  My heart melted within me at the faith in this ritual of a people we are embracing as family.  The image of this young girl's hand on the wall remains etched in my heart.  Prior to our standing at the wall, our guide told us it was not considered a holy place.  Well, it's holy now because we have been there!  And your prayers are there, too, as an act of faith and connecting with God and our Israel family.  Praise His Holy Name!

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow..."

POWER WALKING BECAME FASHIONABLE on this hot, dusty afternoon in Jerusalem when the peaceful sounds of children playing and vendors advertising their goods were suddenly interrupted by the crisp popping of gunfire, loud chantIng and what sounded like a stampede behind us as hundreds of feet hit the walkways running amidst rock throwing.  It all happened so fast.  Elder Denice grabbed my hand and we walked FAST reciting Psalm 23 as well as making declarations for our safety and the peace of Jerusalem. The rest of our team followed closely.  Palestinian men lined up on one side with young Jewish men on the other.  We had just been turned away from going through the first gate we attempted on our exit from the old city, so we had a sense an eruption was about to take place.  Soldiers with their large guns and fingers posed over the triggers stood facing us, but it was as if they didn't even see us as their stoic faces looked past us.  There was another route of escape we could have taken, BUT GOD took us right through the middle of the two groups, parting the way, and I believe we became INVISIBLE!  One final attempt to stop our exit was made by a man who charged at us shouting angrily as we reached the top of the main steps, but when I looked up at him, he just melted back into the crowd.  "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." has new meaning to me.  This was only a SHADOW...no need to walk in fear, rather use wisdom.  God knows what He is doing.  We were in our assigned places and truly witnessed His glory and power that afternoon.  What "shadows" are you facing today? A diagnosis? Relationship issues? Financial challenges? Personal insecurities?  Remember, they are only shadows and the Lord WILL see you through. Just hold tight to His hand and keep walking!