“Now arise, leave this land and return to your native Land.” (Genesis 31:13)
By Derek Townsend
The day came for me to leave for my third trip to Israel. The decision to travel to the Land had come very quickly due to multiple reasons. Somehow I knew I was to return at this particular time – the time between the grape harvest and olive harvest.
I have been a faithful follower of Israel365 ever since the day that they introduced the song “Monday” by Shirei Halevi’im. Ever since I heard that song, I knew that Israel365 was something I needed daily to help me stay connected with His Land. It was during this time that I first contacted Rabbi Tuly Weisz about how much Israel365 meant to me.
When I got my ticket to Israel, I emailed Tuly about my plans and when I would be in the Land. I knew I was to be in Jerusalem the first week, so I mentioned to him if it would be possible to get together then. A few days later, right before my departure, he wrote me back and agreed to meet me in Jerusalem. I was delighted and so excited because I wanted to meet the man who’s work had touched me, my wife and my family so much.
As I prepared to go, I knew I still needed that ‘confirmation’ from God that I was suppose to be in Israel at this particular time. I wanted to make sure it was His Mo’edim (divine appointment) and not my own doing.
On the day I was to travel, I awoke early and sat down in my chair with my cup of coffee. Still a little uneasy about my decision to leave, I opened my email and as faithful as the sunrise, there was Israel365 in my inbox. It had arrived right at 7:00am Eastern Standard Time. When I opened the email and saw the verse for the day, I was in shock. The verse for that day, the morning of the day I was to go to the Land of Israel (my eternal home) was Genesis 31:13: “Now arise, leave this land and return to your native Land.”
If I ever needed a confirmation that day, that moment, it was that one. I felt the Creator of the universe Himself was saying to me – Go now, arise and leave this land of exile and return home to “YOUR” Land. I was thrilled beyond imagination!
The morning after I arrived, the second confirmation came. I fixed my coffee and walked over to the third story window of the apartment. I opened the window and took in the view of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). I looked over to my left and there in all her beauty was Mt. Hermon. I thought of the dew that waters the mountains of Zion as it says in Psalm 133:3.
After a few minutes, I sat down to open my email. There was Israel365 and what I saw was another shock to me. The picture that day (the second day of my journey to the Land) was the snowcapped mountains of the Golan Heights and Mt. Hermon – the very mountains I was looking at out of that window. Once again, Israel365 was used to confirm my purpose for being in the Land at this time.
The next day, I left Tiberias and travelled to Jerusalem. I love going there to be with the people and spend time in the City of David (Zion) – my favorite thing to do while in Jerusalem. There is so much peace there. Knowing that a good portion of the Psalms were written right there in that place by King David is enough to really draw your heart closer to God. After all, if it says in Psalm 132:13,14 that God desires and chooses Zion for His dwelling and resting place forever, I might also consider doing the same!
When I returned to my hotel room, I opened up my email and found Israel365 sitting in my inbox. The verse of the day was Jeremiah 3:14 which says, “I shall take you one from a city and two from a family and I will bring you to Zion.” WOW, I exclaimed! Here was my third confirmation that I was suppose to be in the Land at this time. It seemed as though Israel365 was trailing my every step but I quickly learned that it was God who was using Israel365 as a confirmation tool and a road sign for me. My first three days in Israel were confirmed by three different, consecutive emails from Israel365!
Thank you, Tuly, for your heart and for the amazing work you pour forth over each and every day. I pray that as Israel365 was used to help guide my path, that it will also continue to be used to guide others on their journey of drawing near to the heart of the Creator Himself – the true God of the Bible and the Eternal Protector of Israel!
