Swords Of Iron War - Day 97. Jan.11.2024. Thursday

I've been reading the book of Job in Hebrew, out loud. Each time the reading sounds to me like a foreign language. Today, I understood two verses, this is the English translation:

(Job 14: 21-22)'”His sons come to honour, and he does not know it; They are brought low, and he does not perceive it. But his flesh will be in pain over it, and his soul will mourn over it.”

Pain I understand. And not knowing what's up with my sons, I also understand. But the mourning, while I live with it often, I have learned (most of the time) to overcome the pain which causes it. I expect to be healed from each infirmity as it attacks me. As soon as I am in pain, I declare it not to be of God and command it to leave my body.

(Hebrew 2:4) God also bears witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.

Many times it is persistent but so am I. There are times that I need to take a painkiller pill, but most times I continue with less since I am just as stubborn as the pain and I manage another day with prayer without a medical aide. I believe that there is an antidote to the mourning which comes from pain as well as the pain itself. At times, I think that it is hard to believe. The pain is so intense, so strong; or the mourning is so deep that it becomes a depression; or the cause is frightening and is above what we feel we can handle, that we give in even if we are praying and standing on the truth of God's word. It is hard to do; but, we need to remind ourselves that God is greater and that He does overcome.

This Hamas-Israel War brought to the surface near-death childhood memories I have kept hidden. They occurred during the War of Independence 1947-1949 and during the British Occupation which preceded it (I was born in 1946 in Tel Aviv, Israel). Some of these memories surfaced only lately. Interesting to note that my physical pains increased when these memories became clearer.

But,

(Psalm 18:2) The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Thus,

(Nehemiah 8:10)“...Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”