I called out to God, and He listened.

After 7 October 2023, I found myself researching and reading more and more about Israel. I had never been interested in conflicts like the one currently happening between Israel and Hamas. I discovered alternative news platforms and started following investigative journalism channels and learned much about what happened on that day and after. I was following events as they unfolded.

By nature, I love to delve deeper into topics, research, and try to get to the truth. However, the months following, I found myself telling friends and family, “I’ve never been interested in world events as I am right now.” I became a source of information for them and learned much about both Israel and Hamas after 7 October 2023.

It was a devastating day, and the more I learned and heard, the more profoundly it impacted me - spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I spent hours every day grappling with what I read, heard and seen. Images of what transpired consumed my thoughts and even invaded my dreams, turning them them into nightmares.

I decided to buy a new Bible and on 1st January 2024, I wrote the following in my journal:

“My desire to understand God and His word has reawakened in me.  How do I read this Bible? Such a rich, wise word, spirit-guided words & letter combined into one book.

How do I truly find God’s plan for me?

How do listen to His voice, hear what is meant for me, truly live close to him.  What does it all mean? 

Where do I start?”

Then I prayed:

 “Show me God.  Teach me. Tell me.  I don’t know and remember enough to be seen & pulled back into your plan, or was my life up to this moment part of your plan? 

What do I do and where do I go, what should I do to find out what is your plan for me? I don’t want another average year. I hear this verse in my soul – "For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

I don’t know how to say this differently, but I think I’m ready to claim these verses as true for me too. How do I do this God, will you be my guide? Can I read these verses as if you have written those words for me too?”

Some time after that I was listening to a podcast by 2 Jewish men speaking about Israel & Gaza and the words of one of them struck me deeply.  He said, “I’m a Jew myself and my heart has hardened against Israel”.  I felt it, my heart and soul felt the weight of those words.  I realised; my heart had hardened towards Israel too. 

At the time my memory of most of the Bible was shockingly bad, but I remembered something about God's unwavering love and faithfulness towards Israel and how He repeatedly showed them mercy, compassion and promised them restoration and a future Messiah who will bring salvation to all nations. I also understood that He longs for everyone to accept Jesus as their saviour if they haven't already done so. There was a growing flame in my heart to understand God's heart for Israel more deeply.

During my search for answers and trying to make sense of what was happening in Israel and Gaza, I was having tea with a dear friend one afternoon and she talked about a book written by Lydia & Derek Prince: "Appointment in Jerusalem". (I strongly recommend you read this book.)  My friend had told me about many books before, but when she mentioned this one, I did something I never did before and asked her if I could borrow the book. 

I finished reading the book in just 3 days, sensing God’s love and guiding hand over me in ways that would become clearer later on. I meticulously read every Bible verse she referenced in the book and started to feel something changing within me.  At the end of the book, her husband, Derek Prince, wrote about the Israel and prophesies and the end times. My research started to have a different focus: Israel and God’s word - I was reading the bible! 

I was immersed in the Bible, feeling an insatiable hunger for the word of God. The more I read, the more I desired to continue, as if I had discovered a long-hidden treasure. Every word was alive.

Every morning and afternoon as I sat outside I would take the Bible or a book explaining God’s word and hours would go by as I read and pray.

What God revealed to me later was that He pulled me close to Him through what I loved.  I love doing research and appreciate getting answers to things I don’t understand. He led me to read the Bible again and introduce me to books that have profoundly changed my life in a short space of time. He wanted me to turn to Him, seek Him - and I did, all by sparking my interest in current world events.

Not only did God awakened my interest through the events surrounding Israel since 7 October, but also guided me back to when God made a covenant with Abraham and reminded me of the new covenant we have today in Jesus Christ.  He shed light on prophesies from the Bible and thankfully, softened my heart and kindled a warmth towards Israel. Now I understand his words in Genesis 12:3 - " And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse.". God is not done with Israel.

God began to answer my prayers – He has begun to show me, teach me and guide me as was and remain my prayer and He does so through things I naturally love and enjoy. He led me to the moment I desired to turn back to Him.  Since my prayer on 1st January, he has abundantly blessed me. The greatest blessing off all remains His overwhelming love for me, patiently waiting for my return, as only our loving heavenly Father can do.

I want you to know, God answers prayers, His is faithful and when He makes a promise, He will honour it in ways we often cannot expect, in ways more beautiful and real than our minds could ever anticipate.  His Word is true, His Word is alive.

While it is impossible for me to know God’s plan for you, I know He wants you to be close to Him. He wants you to turn to Him if you haven't already turned to Jesus - no matter who you are, no matter your nationality, faith or background. There is only one way.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” – this is a promise. You can trust God to be found by you if you search Him with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29: 13-14).

🎶 May you be blessed through this song: Closer (feat. Brandon Lake) | Maverick City Music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3zzhyqC_4E