Sunday in Jerusalem

Sunday was a quiet day in Jerusalem, and a day of rest for the volunteers at the Garden as we are not open to tours on Sunday. It gives us an opportunity to worship at some of the local churches.
Yesterday we attended 2 different church services.  In the morning we attended East Jerusalem Baptist Church where there were about 20 of us; at 5 pm we attended King of Kings where there were over 300 of us.  The pastor at East Jerusalem church is a born again Palestinian, the pastor at King of Kings is originally from Canada; but last night the guest speaker was Joel Rosenberg.  Both were quite different in their worship and their preaching, but both preached the word of God that touched our hearts.  We were blessed from each of the services. 
There have still been rockets sent from Israel and unrest in the south between Israel and Gaza but for us in Jerusalem it is relatively quiet.  On Saturday 9 of us (fellow volunteers) walked about 25 minutes to a restaurant in a busy part of Jerusalem for dinner.  It would be similiar to Robson Street in Vancouver - many restaurants, shops, bars etc.  It was very busy.  As soon as shabbat is over, the Jewish people return to the streets and it is busy busy busy with people.  You would never have known or guessed that the day before an air raid siren had gone off.  People were carrying on as normal.
At King of Kings last night we sang the following song - The battle belongs to the Lord.  With the week that had just passed, with the rockets being fired and the increased danger that we had never felt before, this song just spoke to my heart - the Lord is in control and God is fighting the battle for us.  There is definitely a battle between Israel and Gaza, but there are so many other battles that we deal with in this world.  I think last night though, as we sang this song, the battle at the forefront on everyone's mind was the battle between Israel and Gaza.  God is in control and knowing that brings peace to our souls. 
Amen,
Glenda

In heavenly armour we’ll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord

 

We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)

The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
The battle belongs to the Lord
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (6)