Tearfully, Gratefully, JOYFULLY

Oh, Abba…

I heard (and saw) two deeply moving testimonials today, in honor of yesterday’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.  And my heart responded — tearfully, gratefully, JOYFULLY.

One was a video of a busy highway in Jerusalem.  Cars and trucks filled all four lanes, all moving at high speed… until a loud siren wailed.  Not the siren of a lone emergency vehicle, but a siren that filled the entire city — like the signal from an Emergency Broadcast System.  All of the traffic stopped.  All four lanes.  People got out of their vehicles and stood there silently, respectfully… remembering those lost in the Holocaust.  So many suffered and died, Lord… so many.  I may never understand.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)

The other was the voice of a Jewish woman whose daughter had come home one day declaring she had found You, Jesus — the Jewish Messiah.  The mother recounted her devastation at this news, her incredulity that her daughter would bow her knee and heart to those who had murdered her family in the Holocaust.  She claimed it was Christians — and/or it was You, Jesus — who had killed them all. How could her daughter betray her family — those living and those who had died — like this?

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”  (Psalm  22:1)

This mother continued her story, noting that her son and husband also became Your followers, Jesus.  Something inside of her snapped.  She was determined to seek out You out, Lord, so she could prove You were a lie.  She grabbed her daughter’s Bible and locked herself in the basement for five days.  She didn’t come out to eat or talk or do chores or sleep.  She only read the Bible… and read and read and read some more.

Finally, tearfully, gratefully, JOYFULLY… she couldn’t help but believe in You, Lord!!!

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul… For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which He confirmed to them by oath.”  (Deuteronomy 4:29,31)

Oh, Abba… Your enemy (and ours) is such a liar.  How many other Jews are out there this very moment, hindered from opening their hearts to Asus X540 AC Adapter You because they believe You (and Yours) killed their own dear loved ones?

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”  (Psalm 37:1-2)

Part of me yearns to shout, “The sooner, the better!”  But then I remember.  I weep for those I love, who are still far from You, Lord.  And instead of impatience, my heart fills only with gratitude and joy.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9)

Tearfully, gratefully, JOYFULLY…

Abba’s Girl