FRIDAY. Day 259 of Swords of Iron War.

21.6.24. Nahariya, Israel.

Dawn

I love meandering through downtown specialized stores, especially on Fridays. Israelis in Nahariya don't just buy quietly and then rush off home. Instead, they stop for a conversation. One gets a true cultural experience. After buying Chalah at the bakery, we stopped for fresh dates in the “all nuts” store.

“As long as Nasrallah is hiding and feels safe, the war will continue”, says one shopper;

“No, Israel has to go ahead and finish Hamas. USA will never stand with us, they just talk”, says another.

For the next 15 minutes we had a war panel at the store.

When everyone came with, “God is with us, we'll be fine” it was over and we dispersed with a Shabbat Shalom greeting.

Who says there is no God in Israel?

We need to praise Him more and remember that our nation went through hard times, wars, famines, and other disasters, but God always helped us out of trouble.

We are reminded,

“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Act 14:22.)

But rejoice, we are not going through the hardships alone.

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God; He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5)