The Heart of Happiness
Recently, we were blessed with the opportunity to travel to Israel. My dear Paul has set up and led tours for several years. This particular trip was scheduled long before he was diagnosed with cancer, and we felt that we really needed to follow through with it.We prepared for the ten hour international flight and the fast paced tour not knowing how well Paul would do. Our hearts were very grateful to God for giving Paul strength and good days while on this trek. In our hearts and minds we felt this may be the last tour for my darling Paul.
Yehuda, our dear friend, who has graciously guided every group we have brought to Israel, made sure Paul had a wonderful trip, showing great love and care for him. Even though we have been to Israel thirteen times, Yehuda delights in showing us something new each trip. On this trip, it was Shiloh.
Shiloh is the last place the Tabernacle of God stood. It is also where Hannah prayed the prayer of humble faith to God for a son. In I Samuel chapters 4-6, we read the story of the war with the Philistines, how the Ark of the Covenant was stolen, and Shiloh was burned.
We were amazed to see the foundation of the Tabernacle had been uncovered. It was a moving experience to stand inside the very foundations and listen as our site guide, Eliana, gave us a descriptive history of Shiloh. Eliana asked us to look around at all of the mountains surrounding Shiloh- God could have chosen any one of them for His dwelling place, but He chose the low and humble point of Shiloh for His Tabernacle. She mentioned as well that Calvary was surrounded by mountains and is a humble point in Jerusalem. This was such an awesome thought about humbleness and it struck Paul and I deeply. If God is humble, and Jesus is humble, shouldn't we as well seek to be humble? According to Webster's Dictionary the word humble means lowly, modest, meek, and submissive. Having a low opinion of one's self and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God. Humbleness is accepting the good as well as the bad in every circumstance.
Our group stood within the foundations of the Tabernacle and Eliana asked us to humble our hearts to pray before our Holy God. As we stood, with humbled hearts in prayer, I could feel the presence of my Merciful God in our midst. I know many prayed for Paul to be healed- I also prayed for healing, but ultimately, that God's will would be done. If healing is not His will, I asked God for more years by Paul's side. I don't know how God will answer my prayer, but it was a prayer of humble faith, believing that my God knows and hears!
God continues to speak to my heart about being humble in the path He has placed our family on. When I humble myself before my loving God, regarding my darling, Paul, I come away with a heart of happiness. I am confident He knows the way before us, gently guiding, and holding our hands, as we humbly walk this path day by day. There are moments of fear, but God reminds me that He is near, and will never leave or forsake me.
The main thing I am learning through all of this is:
Photo credit: ancient_shiloh
Yehuda, our dear friend, who has graciously guided every group we have brought to Israel, made sure Paul had a wonderful trip, showing great love and care for him. Even though we have been to Israel thirteen times, Yehuda delights in showing us something new each trip. On this trip, it was Shiloh.
Shiloh is the last place the Tabernacle of God stood. It is also where Hannah prayed the prayer of humble faith to God for a son. In I Samuel chapters 4-6, we read the story of the war with the Philistines, how the Ark of the Covenant was stolen, and Shiloh was burned.
We were amazed to see the foundation of the Tabernacle had been uncovered. It was a moving experience to stand inside the very foundations and listen as our site guide, Eliana, gave us a descriptive history of Shiloh. Eliana asked us to look around at all of the mountains surrounding Shiloh- God could have chosen any one of them for His dwelling place, but He chose the low and humble point of Shiloh for His Tabernacle. She mentioned as well that Calvary was surrounded by mountains and is a humble point in Jerusalem. This was such an awesome thought about humbleness and it struck Paul and I deeply. If God is humble, and Jesus is humble, shouldn't we as well seek to be humble? According to Webster's Dictionary the word humble means lowly, modest, meek, and submissive. Having a low opinion of one's self and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God. Humbleness is accepting the good as well as the bad in every circumstance.
Our group stood within the foundations of the Tabernacle and Eliana asked us to humble our hearts to pray before our Holy God. As we stood, with humbled hearts in prayer, I could feel the presence of my Merciful God in our midst. I know many prayed for Paul to be healed- I also prayed for healing, but ultimately, that God's will would be done. If healing is not His will, I asked God for more years by Paul's side. I don't know how God will answer my prayer, but it was a prayer of humble faith, believing that my God knows and hears!
God continues to speak to my heart about being humble in the path He has placed our family on. When I humble myself before my loving God, regarding my darling, Paul, I come away with a heart of happiness. I am confident He knows the way before us, gently guiding, and holding our hands, as we humbly walk this path day by day. There are moments of fear, but God reminds me that He is near, and will never leave or forsake me.
The main thing I am learning through all of this is:
Humbleness is the heart of happiness!
Photo credit: ancient_shiloh
Prayers so very happy Bro Paul got to go, GOD is soo GOOD
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