Day Four - Of Judges, Kings, Prophets, Disciples and Jesus

Wow! Today was a whirlwind. We saw and experienced so much. I am not sure I can recount all of the locations, let alone tell about each one. 

Here is what I remember... 

We traveled to Caesarea (built by Herod the Great), the Caesarea aqueducts, Megiddo, Nazareth, Mt. Precipice and Galilee. 

We saw the Jezreel Valley, Mt. Carmel, Mt. Tabor, Solomon's stables, the water tunnel at Megiddo, the Church of the Annunciation (built above Mary's house), and the Sea of Galilee at night. 

These are the lands of epoch battles and biblical events.  The feet of King Solomon, Deborah, Gideon, Elijah and Jesus once walked these mountains, hills, valleys and seashores. Many of the forerunners of faith prayed, prophesied, fought, taught, fished, performed miracles, lived and died right here. 

Caesarea aqueducts

Nazareth on the hill

Sunset over Mt. Carmel

Moon over Mt. Tabor

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval...Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 11:1-2 & 12:1)

Walking these sometimes treacherous hills, valleys and byways has reminded me that those who have gone before us have shown us where to step and where not to step as we try to make our way. This great cloud of witnesses, these exemplars of faith, have set a path for us to follow. May we have the courage to continue to walk with assurance and conviction. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith"...

Shalom