war

Nothing great happens without a conflict.
The Israelites migrated from Egypt to Cannan with so much difficulty God had to help out by sending 9 plaques
Jesus came into this world and almost broke up a loving couple.
Martin Luther lead the protestant movement by rebelling against the orthodox church.

So the next time I am serving in church or paying my tithe or giving part of myself to the work of God, and it feels so difficult, I must remember that this is part of something greater.

With all this war and conflict going on in the West Bank, one really wonders if all religions and race are the same, just fighting to fulfill their own greed. Whose fault is it that the war is still on.
Why doesn't it end, and how can their god be real if he allows the taking of other humans' lives.

The history of Israel is simple. When I was in Singapore as an undergraduate, there was once an American Jew living in my hostel. I asked him to tell me about Jewish history, after he asked me why I didn't speak Chinese and I had to explain the migration and history of south east Asia. I digress. So he answered me in a chuckle, the history and story of the Jews is simple; everybody tries to kill us but no one succeeded and we celebrate their defeats.

Which was not the conventional answer I was expecting nevertheless it was illuminating.

Some blame Abram and his fling with Hagar. But the past is the past. We can only learn from it. And by learning it means getting stronger and more developed everyday. So that we can meet today's stronger challenges and overcome them. Because the narrow road doesn't get easier as you walk.

Like Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. On one hand you build but on the other, you wield a sword. Keep on keeping on, fight the good fight, for you are more than an overcomer.

Ez 36:1-7
"Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, 'O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD. 2 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The enemy said of you, "Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession." ' 3 Therefore prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because they ravaged and hounded you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people's malicious talk and slander, 4 therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign LORD : This is what the Sovereign LORD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you- 5 this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.' 6 Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations. 7 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.