Note for The Bridge
The following is a letter I (Callie) wrote for The Bridge, a church in my hometown:
Dear Friends at The Bridge,
Thank you so much for your prayers, concerns and loving support of our family and the nation of Israel during this critical time. It blesses our family to know that your church loves Israel.
When I married my husband, Devin Mitchell, I knew I was not only saying "yes" to him, but also to a wild adventure in the Lord, that meant committing to live in Israel. Devin is a believer in Jesus with a Jewish Heritage. According to Israel's Law of Return, anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent qualifies for citizenship. He met qualifications, and moved here at 18. I joined him as his wife almost 4 years ago, and we have been blessed with our son, Aviel (ah-vee-el) who is now 2 1/2. So here we are, in the city where Jesus physically left the earth, and where He will physically return, hearing war sirens and taking cover in shelters.
I consider it a great honor to stand with Israel right now. This military operation, in Hebrew, is called Amud Anan, which literally translates as Pillar Cloud. I don't know why it is being translated in English as Pillar of Defense, other than the possibility that the strength of the meaning behind "cloud" is lost. Anyone familiar with the bible knows the Lord appeared to the nation of Israel as a cloud by day and fire by night. That was his physical presence dwelling among the people. His Shekinah. As I've walk the streets of Jerusalem since this operation started, I have a strong sense of his Shekiah in the Land. I know the Lord is here with us. I feel as though the Lord has invited me to be part of something very Holy by calling me to live here as Israel fights for her land.
This is hard truth for the world to understand, but when Israel fights for her land, it is a holy and righteous act before the Lord. God covenanted this physical place to the Jewish people in Genesis 13: 15,
Forever.
If there is any question about whether that stands true, even after the new covenant is established through the blood of Jesus, Romans 11: 28-29 states:
We worship a God of promise and covenant. He keeps His word. And this, even beyond Genesis 12:1-3, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, is why we should stand with Israel as believers. For the sake of God's reputation and name. See Ezekiel 36: 22-24
When God restored the Jewish people back to the physical land of Israel in 1948, after being dispersed for 2000 years, He made good on His word and proved Himself as Holy. This nation has had to fight to possess the Land ever since. The enemy hates the Jewish presence in the land because it points to a Holy God, and likewise, anyone who tries to stand against the Jewish people living in the land of Israel is attempting to stand against the Holiness of God. That is serious.
We are asked repeatedly, "Are you safe?" I feel safe. I know God is our shelter. That's a promise from Psalm 91. Also, Jerusalem has Holy sites and Arab neighborhoods that Muslim terrorist would not want to risk destroying. This keeps most large scale missile attacks on the outskirts of the city, and in other regions of the country. So for now, I feel safe. That doesn't mean I'm not scared though! Its unnerving to hear the sirens and have to take cover! Pray for me to continue on with courage! Devin was required to serve in the Israeli Defense Force after he became an Israeli citizen. He is now in reserves and could potentially be called up. Please pray for the Lord to have him exactly where he is supposed to be. Mostly, we ask the you would pray for the salvation of the Jewish people and for us to be used by the Lord to make known the truth of Messiah Yeshua during this time.
Love, blessings and SHALOM!
Callie (Narron) Mitchell
Related Posts:
For His Name's Sake A break down of Ezekiel 36
Redemptive Space Tina's story of leaving Nisanit, now part of Gaza.
Sirens and Oil Flasks Lessons from the first sirens.
War Drills, Hamas, and Stuff About the Hamas Charter
Dear Friends at The Bridge,
Thank you so much for your prayers, concerns and loving support of our family and the nation of Israel during this critical time. It blesses our family to know that your church loves Israel.
When I married my husband, Devin Mitchell, I knew I was not only saying "yes" to him, but also to a wild adventure in the Lord, that meant committing to live in Israel. Devin is a believer in Jesus with a Jewish Heritage. According to Israel's Law of Return, anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent qualifies for citizenship. He met qualifications, and moved here at 18. I joined him as his wife almost 4 years ago, and we have been blessed with our son, Aviel (ah-vee-el) who is now 2 1/2. So here we are, in the city where Jesus physically left the earth, and where He will physically return, hearing war sirens and taking cover in shelters.
I consider it a great honor to stand with Israel right now. This military operation, in Hebrew, is called Amud Anan, which literally translates as Pillar Cloud. I don't know why it is being translated in English as Pillar of Defense, other than the possibility that the strength of the meaning behind "cloud" is lost. Anyone familiar with the bible knows the Lord appeared to the nation of Israel as a cloud by day and fire by night. That was his physical presence dwelling among the people. His Shekinah. As I've walk the streets of Jerusalem since this operation started, I have a strong sense of his Shekiah in the Land. I know the Lord is here with us. I feel as though the Lord has invited me to be part of something very Holy by calling me to live here as Israel fights for her land.
This is hard truth for the world to understand, but when Israel fights for her land, it is a holy and righteous act before the Lord. God covenanted this physical place to the Jewish people in Genesis 13: 15,
for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.
Forever.
If there is any question about whether that stands true, even after the new covenant is established through the blood of Jesus, Romans 11: 28-29 states:
From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
We worship a God of promise and covenant. He keeps His word. And this, even beyond Genesis 12:1-3, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, is why we should stand with Israel as believers. For the sake of God's reputation and name. See Ezekiel 36: 22-24
It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.
When God restored the Jewish people back to the physical land of Israel in 1948, after being dispersed for 2000 years, He made good on His word and proved Himself as Holy. This nation has had to fight to possess the Land ever since. The enemy hates the Jewish presence in the land because it points to a Holy God, and likewise, anyone who tries to stand against the Jewish people living in the land of Israel is attempting to stand against the Holiness of God. That is serious.
We are asked repeatedly, "Are you safe?" I feel safe. I know God is our shelter. That's a promise from Psalm 91. Also, Jerusalem has Holy sites and Arab neighborhoods that Muslim terrorist would not want to risk destroying. This keeps most large scale missile attacks on the outskirts of the city, and in other regions of the country. So for now, I feel safe. That doesn't mean I'm not scared though! Its unnerving to hear the sirens and have to take cover! Pray for me to continue on with courage! Devin was required to serve in the Israeli Defense Force after he became an Israeli citizen. He is now in reserves and could potentially be called up. Please pray for the Lord to have him exactly where he is supposed to be. Mostly, we ask the you would pray for the salvation of the Jewish people and for us to be used by the Lord to make known the truth of Messiah Yeshua during this time.
Love, blessings and SHALOM!
Callie (Narron) Mitchell
Related Posts:
For His Name's Sake A break down of Ezekiel 36
Redemptive Space Tina's story of leaving Nisanit, now part of Gaza.
Sirens and Oil Flasks Lessons from the first sirens.
War Drills, Hamas, and Stuff About the Hamas Charter
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