EARLY MORNING MANNA

This morning many of us have awakened to learn about the English covert counter-terrorism operation that uncovered a unprecedented global plot to destroy up to 10 inbound US flights. It is also interesting to note how last nights tent revival meetings here in Ontario, Canada ended with many of us prostrate on the ground in deep intercession against terrorism and the war in Lebanon. Undoubtedly, we all are in the valley of the last days and the Spirit is leading all of us to spontaneously turn our Church gatherings/services into more combustible times of counter-terrorism! Whether we have specific words of knowledge or not of what is about to happen! We must yield to this Jeremiah Divine sorrow anointing that many of us have been feeling as of late! The message last night Abba placed on my heart was The Dark Side of the Glory, which entails the introduction of several mysterious Scripture texts in the NT dealing with reproach, sufferings, intercession, and successful maneuverability into Gethsemane chapters in our life. The purpose of these dark desert times is to bring forth new resurrection life as is outlined in 2 Cor. chapters 3 and 12. Therefore, let me this morning bring a brief narrative from our recent Israel/Lebanese border scouting operation to help alleviate and evaporate any nagging fears you maybe having about what is happening in our society today with this transition into full blown global terrorism with no apparent end in sight! We are living in perilous times and we are here to train you to not just survive but also THRIVE in the Valley of the Shadow of Death!

…As we settled into our modest yet comfortable guest apartments in this Israeli kibbutz nestled into the hills of Northern Israel, my heart was beginning to feel the deep intercessory burden for the Israeli citizens living in the bomb shelters throughout this region. In our last visit to the bomb shelter in Nahariya we met not only Jewish people but also Lebanese Muslims in the same shelter who had been previously displaced from their homes several years earlier by the rise of Hizbollah. This very essence of charity and of preserving life that the Jewish people in Israel adhere to is the exact opposite to the culture of death that was just a few kilometers across the border into Lebanon and the totalitarian state that the Shiite religion of Iran are wanting to build. Israelis (except for the few wacked extremists) do not purposely target civilian homes, mosques, hospitals, and schools. Yet, the Hizbollah does the exact opposite that the world media outlets are not quick to point out. But what struck me as the most outstanding character of the Israeli people in the bomb shelters and the few we met in the streets was that there was not this severe bitterness and hatred towards the Hamas or Hizbollah. Instead it was a conservative grief that we must now deal with this diabolical threat on our borders or it will just be worse in the future for our children. And to remove this threat, they were prepared to go the long haul…without being energized to do it by hatred and revenge. This was outstanding and undoubtedly came from what light still remains of their knowledge of Torah! I was very, very blessed personally to see this attitude in this new developing subculture of the Northern bomb shelter communities.

Soon we met on this kibbutz a restaurant owner of great generosity. His name was D— and with great joy he and his cook and prepared for us the most incredible evening meal. It was a candle light dinner of such exquisite plates of food that our whole team was stunned. Here we are under the constant sound of war just over the mountain ridge in front of us and then to come into this dinning hall with such a feast prepared…really shocked us! It was not just the food that was so delicious…but also the friendship and hospitality that D—and his staff shared with us. Psalms 133 kept coming to mind of how pleasant and good it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! What a stark transition from being on the war front to being inside for this meal! This is what the Lord must mean when He said many centuries earlier through the shepherd David, “…the Lord prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalms 23). Our driver again pointed out to us that as we enjoyed a little bit of heaven here…just on the other side of that ridge were young Israeli soldiers living off the land (so to speak) as they used camouflaged techniques to do very dangerous multi-day reconnaissance missions to find the Hizbollah rocket launchers and hidden bunkers of death. I thought of David how he so respected the mighty men who likewise went behind enemy lines to gain him a drink of well water only to pour it out it such deep respect for their courage and bravery…. It was in this same Spirit, time for us time to so appreciate their bravery and also pour out what God has given us …and that is strategic shofar drive-by’s under the influcne of the Spirit of Justice! It was time for the God of Glory to thunder and break the cedars of Lebanon (Ps. 29 and Is. 10)!

Tomorrow was the key date for coming to Israel to do our counter-terrorism strike at the Hizbollah border and the valley of the Shadow of death. But tonight was the night to enjoy and drink in the shalom and safety of being under His wings of protection and the joy of fellowship with other brothers and sisters…. I need this deep drinking in of the shalom of Jesus because the days ahead are going to be perilous times like never before in this Land and the world.

(To be continued…)