Working from home is one of the biggest changes to my life over the last few months. I’ve found that little things like stopping for my morning coffee, complaining about traffic, and listening to my favorite morning talk show bring me joy. One thing I don’t miss is picking out what I’m going to wear every day. I’m challenged when it comes to fashion ☹. Despite my struggle and even though I’m working from home; I still get dressed every day. The action helps me prepare my mind to work and I’m ready just in case something out of the ordinary happens. In the same sense, I put on the spiritual garments the Lord has provided me daily, no matter what I have planned:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand…

—Ephesians 6:10-11a

He has given us instructions not only to help us right now but to also prepare and help us navigate the challenges that are ahead.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm then!  

—Ephesians 6:13-14a

Read, study, and meditate on the Word so you can stand firm in times of trouble. Clothe yourself now for the battle that is yet to come. You may look ridiculous today (all dressed up and nowhere to go) but you will be preparing yourself for whatever comes your way tomorrow.

• Do you have a favorite scripture that you read daily to encourage yourself?
• If not, consider reading Ephesians 6:13-18

At the outset of a war, no one knows how long the fighting will last. The longest war in history persisted 781 years, between the Spanish Empire and the Moors. The shortest battle, the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896, lasted a mere 38 minutes.

Jerusalem Day commemorates the second shortest war in history, which arose between the enemies of Israel and the young Jewish country. It occurred from June 5 to June 11, 1967, and is aptly named the Six-Day War.

Jerusalem Day, or Yom Yerushalayim, is an annual Israeli holiday occurring on the 28th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. This date falls in April or May on the Gregorian calendar. Events include memorial services for those who died in the Six-Day War as well as parades, parties, special meals, prayer services and much more.

The Six-Day War was monumental in modern Israel’s history, second only to her War of Independence in 1948‒1949. Israel had not intended to fight at all in 1967 but was drawn into battle by Arab neighbors whose hunger to destroy her was agitated by Russian-planted lies. After six short days, Israel gained East Jerusalem from Jordan’s control and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Both acquisitions are of incalculable value to Israel. Taking possession of East Jerusalem meant that for the first time in 2,000 years, an undivided Jerusalem belonged to Israel again. Obtaining control over the Golan Heights was paramount to Israel’s security. The area lies elevated above Israel’s former border with Syria. In Syrian control, the Golan leaves Israeli citizens vulnerable to the kind of sniper attacks that took place incessantly before the Six-Day War.

Years of such turmoil and predatory actions by enemies of Israel – her neighbors in surrounding Arab nations – laid the foundation for 1967’s brief but fierce battle. Below is a summary of events leading up to and during the Six-Day War.

1959   

• Israel begins a project to bring water from the Sea of Galilee to the Negev according to a design set forth by U.S. Ambassador Eric Johnston

1964   

• Syria begins a united Arab plan to divert the Jordan River’s headwaters – to thwart Israel’s water-carrying project
• Syria fires from the Golan Heights on Israeli farmers below in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Israel responds by attacking Arab bulldozers working on the water diversion project
• Syrian and Palestinian attacks on Israeli individuals continue through 1967

1966   

• Syria shells Israel, and Israel responds by downing a Syrian fighter jet
• Egypt and Syria sign a mutual defense pact. Attacks by Israel’s enemies immediately increase

April 1967

• Between January and April of 1967, Arabs carry out 63 attacks on Israel
• In April, Syria shells Israel within the DMZ, and Israel responds

May 1967

• After 14 attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Eshkol warns Syria of retaliation
• Russia meddles – plants lies about a supposed Israeli plan to attack Syria
• Egypt mobilizes thousands of troops around the Suez Canal. The Egyptian military meets with Syria and finds no state of alert there. Cairo, Damascus and the U.S. agree Syria is under no threat from Israel, but Egypt’s President Nassar continues amassing troops and broadcasting inciting messages about destroying Israel
• Egypt flies a reconnaissance mission over Dimona, where Israel’s nuclear reactor is. Israel debates the risks of inaction versus a preemptive strike in defense of her people from the enemies of Israel
• Tens of thousands of Egyptian troops amass in the Sinai
• May 22, 1967 – Egypt closes the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, considered by many to be an act of war and the cause of the Six-Day War. U.S. President Lyndon Johnson condemns the blockade as illegal
• Six Arab countries respond as common enemies of Israel by deploying more than 230,000 troops near Israel’s borders
• Jordan and Egypt sign a mutual defense pact

June 1–4, 1967

• Arab leaders ramp up their rhetoric and enflame hatred among the people against Israel, declaring, “Our goal is clear: to wipe Israel off the map!”

DAY 1 – JUNE 5, 1967

• 8:15 a.m. – Fearing the loss of thousands of Israeli lives, Israel pre-emptively strikes the Egyptian Air Force, destroying 311 planes – mostly on the ground – and disabling 13 bases
• 8:30 a.m. – Israel sends a message to Jordan’s King Hussein promising not to attack if Jordan stays out of the fighting
• 10:00 a.m. – Jordan attacks Israel. Egypt’s Nasser misled Hussein, saying Egypt is inflicting massive damage on Israel. Jordan proceeds to fire 6,000 shells on Jewish Jerusalem, damaging 900 buildings, killing 20 Israeli civilians and injuring 1,000
• Noon – Syrian fighter jets strike Galilee settlements in Israel
• 12:30 p.m. – Israel attempts to destroy Jordan’s air capabilities by striking its airfields
• 1:00 p.m. – Israel strikes Syrian air bases, destroying two-thirds of its planes

DAY 2 – JUNE 6, 1967

• Through the night – massive Syrian artillery barrages hit Galilee communities
• 5:30 a.m. – Egyptians begin to retreat
• Afternoon – Lebanon attacks Israel
• 4:30 p.m. – Israel and Jordan accept ceasefire terms set by the United Nations, but Syria and Egypt do not
• 11:30 p.m. – Jordan’s Hussein orders troops to retreat, then reverses the command

DAY 3 – JUNE 7, 1967

• 10:00 a.m. – Israel gains control of East Jerusalem, the Old City and Temple Mount
• 12:15 p.m. – Israel breaks the blockade at the Straits of Tiran and opens the passageway to all ships
• Throughout the day – Syria continues shelling Israel’s north

DAY 4 – JUNE 8, 1967

• Syria incessantly bombards Israel from the Golan Heights, completely leveling several kibbutzim, communal Jewish farms
• The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) takes control of Hebron and other West Bank towns

DAY 5 – JUNE 9, 1967

• Israel, realizing Syria’s shelling of her northern communities will not stop as long as they remain in control of the Golan Heights, engages in a heavy ground battle with Syria

DAY 6 – JUNE 10, 1967

• Israel gains control of the Golan Heights
• Evening – all parties agree to a ceasefire. The war is over. Israel gained East Jerusalem and Golan Heights

God brought about the rebirth of Israel in a single day back in 1948. Since then, the enemies of Israel have relentlessly aimed to injure and kill her citizens and, ultimately, eliminate her existence.  But she remains the nation of God’s people and a key component in His prophetic plans.

Jerusalem has always been the capital of Israel. Her ancient kings resided there. The first and second Temples were located there, which meant Jerusalem was also the religious center of Israel. The third Temple will be built there, and when Yeshua (Jesus) returns to usher in the coming age, He will come to Jerusalem.

The second shortest war in world history resulted in a unified Jerusalem returned to Israeli hands. It is an exciting event on God’s prophetic timeline, revealing that we are, indeed, living in the Last Days.

Happy Jerusalem Day, Israel!

Sources:

The 20 Longest Wars in History, MSN, May 2019

The Shortest Wars in Human History, World Atlas

Six-Day War Timeline, SixDayWar.org

Ephesians chapter 3 has one of the most beautiful illustrations of the love of God in the entire Bible. First, I have to preface that statement with the fact that I’m a former supply chain manager who was tasked with scheduling truckloads of food for delivery to restaurants. Space was always at a premium and I was always finding new ways to maximize the space I was given. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives an invitation to pray for the strength to understand the size and depth of the love of Yeshua.  

“I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to grasp with all the        kedoshim [saints]  what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Messiah which surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled up with all the fullness of God.”

—Ephesians 3:17b-19

In challenging times like we find ourselves in right now, the one comfort we can have is that God loves us the same as He did when things were “normal.”  I know from my shipping days that the capacity of a container is not going to change. I can only fit more of something by emptying the container of something else.  We learn from Scripture that God’s love is vast and limitless:

The Width of His forgiveness is “as far as the east is from the west, so far He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

The Length of His sacrifice encompasses the whole world: “He is the atonement for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

The Height of His mercy is limitless: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy for those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:11).

Simply, the Depth of His love can’t be contained! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Today, we need as much of the Lord’s love as possible to strengthen us! His love has no limits, so the question is, how much room have we given Him?  

• Do you need a refill today of God’s love?
• Prayer: “Lord, fill me with more of you!  Show me things in my life that are taking up space so I can remove them and be filled with more of You.”

We have an exciting lineup of musical artists, pastors, and ministry leaders – coming together to encourage you with messages of God’s faithfulness, hope and vision. Be a part of it all and join us for this extraordinary Night of Promise!

If you’re like me, you love reminders. I have reminders everywhere; my workspace is full of sticky notes reminding me of tasks. My phone is set to remind me of birthdays, anniversaries and when to pay bills. I even have a reminder to check my reminders. Chapter 1 of Ephesians serves as our reminder of who we are in Messiah and how Mighty our God is!  The Apostle Paul reminds followers of Yeshua of two foundational truths.

First, our value is grounded in Messiah: 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah. He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love. He predestined us for adoption as sons through Messiah Yeshua, in keeping with the good pleasure of His will- to the glorious praise of His grace, with which He favored us through the One He loves!

—Ephesians 1:3-6

The second reminder has to do with Yeshua’s (Jesus’) status and position, and who our Messiah really is (Ephesians 1:15-23). He is the Son of God. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is above any ruler, authority, power, leader and every other name that is named! All things have been placed under His feet and He has been appointed head over all things for His community. In a nut shell, I’m reminded that no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, we serve an awesome God and, through His Son, we are highly favored, blessed, adopted into His family, and have the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our promised inheritance as sons and daughters.  

• Do you need reminding of who you are in Messiah?
• Is there anyone in your life that you can encourage with this identity reminder?
• Can you receive the identity the Lord has given you?  What is hindering you from receiving this truth?

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Our God is the God of hope! As Paul draws his treatise to the Roman community of faith in Jesus to a close, he invokes the LORD as the God of hope. Inside of His own existence, there is hope. Though He is the God of all things, Paul is highlighting that he is the God of hope specifically. That should be an encouragement to us! Let us consider this together in our last devotional this week.

As the God of hope, He can fill us with all joy and peace – what a tremendous promise! ALL joy – not just some joy! Joy is a heart response to life independent of our circumstances. James says in the first chapter of his letter to Believers in Jesus from the first century that we should “count it all joy when [we] fall into various trials…” (James 1:2). The God of hope can fill us with joy even when we face trouble and challenges. Hope from God can fill us with all joy!

Peace, too, which Paul prays the God of hope will fill us with, is independent of circumstances. Jesus tells the disciples in John 16 that He tells them of trouble ahead of time so that they might know it and prepare for it in their hearts. He makes them a promise of trouble but also promises them peace in the midst of that trouble. He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The God of hope promises a peace that is full in us.

Paul’s instruction continues – “in believing.” The gifts of joy and peace from the God of hope must be maintained in believing. “Believing” as Paul uses it here (and elsewhere) is not giving mental ascent to theological constructs. “Believing” is active – when worry presses against our minds, we confess with our mouths that “[our Lord] has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Our believing creates an environment in our hearts and minds where the God of hope fills us with joy and peace. We believe that He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Our hope is not “barely hanging on” in Paul’s declaration to the Roman community of faith. Our hope is one that abounds. Ours is a hope that exists in large amounts. It overflows. And when our hope abounds, it can affect the environment around us. It can be contagious. An inexplicable hope that abounds affords us many an opportunity to explain to a hopeless world the source of our abounding hope. Bless the Lord for a hope that abounds!

Lastly, Paul attributes the abounding hope from joy and peace of the God of hope in whom we believe to the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not something we just decide and try to muster up in our own personality, our emotions or as an act of our will. As the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in nearness to the LORD, the Spirit also empowers us to be filled with hope. We trust Him to pour out His power in us. That power becomes an abounding hope – LORD may it be so with us!

“Now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace” in these days! And as your believing is enriched, may you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, abound in hope! A hope that overflows. A hope that overwhelms. A hope that overcomes discouragement. A hope that builds you up. May the hope of the God of hope flourish in your heart and mind by the Messiah Jesus!

ACTIVATION:

1. Has your hope been strengthened in this last week? Why or why not? Be specific.
2. If your hope has been strengthened, write down why and how so that you can look back on this in future times of worry or doubt.

If your hope has not been strengthened, write down where you still need a touch from the God of hope. Talk to the LORD about it. Don’t be embarrassed but do keep pressing into the promise of His hope abounding in you.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

If we are struggling to live from hope, take a look at Paul’s encouragement to the Romans was to look to the Scriptures to find it. The record of testimony to the LORD’s faithfulness to the people of Israel strengthens our hope today. In the Scriptures, Paul tells us we can find patience. In the Scriptures, Paul exhorts us that we can find comfort.

In his letter to the community of faith in Jesus in Galatia, Paul tells them that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Patience is the by-product of our character having been re-formed by the indwelling Spirit of the living God. We can lean on the Holy Spirit for patience. And we can feed the activity of that Spirit in us with the Scriptures. We can look to the Scriptures to build up patience in us – a patience that leads to hope.

In the fortieth chapter of Isaiah, the prophet cries out, ינחמו עמ נחמו  – nachamu, nachamu ami – “comfort, comfort my people!” in the voice of the LORD (Isaiah 40:1). So often, the lives we lead are filled with trauma and doubt and hardship. Jesus tells us, “blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Paul is telling us, when we are in need of comfort, let us look to the Scriptures. Page after page and story after story declares the goodness of the God we serve. Look to the Scriptures and find comfort today!

Are you struggling to find hope? Look to the Scriptures, which were written for our learning, that you might find their comfort and that your patience might be built up. With patience and comfort reinforced in us, we can be built up in hope!

ACTIVATION:

1. What is something that has happened to you and from which you still need comfort?
2. Do a simple word search of “comfort” in a Bible software and read five of the chapters where that word occurs.

What jumped out as you were reading about comfort? How can the things that you read be applied to the area of comfort that you seek?