By Christine Darg

Jerusalem Channel

According to the sages the sukkah (tabernacle) symbolizes the “clouds of glory” in the desert. Thus a sukka is a symbol of the “Divine Presence.”  This Feast of Tabernacles we have especially sensed a growing awakening here, and a great hovering of the Holy Spirit over the nation at this time.

Tomorrow, the 8th day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), is known as Simchat Torah – “Joy of the Torah” celebrations for having completed the annual cycle of reading through the five Books of Moses. 

Each Jewish year, the Torah scroll is “rewound” and then they begin reading it again.

We praise the Almighty for bequeathing to the Jewish scribes his Word and through them we have received the words of salvation, healing and deliverance! 

This week’s Friday Prayer Points from Intercessors for Israel noted that towards the end of his life, one of our great mentors here in Jerusalem, Derek Prince, was asked by an American senator what he thought God was doing  in today’s world. Derek responded that God is doing two things: restoring Israel and judging the nations! That statement succinctly summarizes present day events and helps us to understand the news.

Indeed, we thank the Almighty for watching over his Word to make sure it is accomplished (Isa. 55:11; Jer. 1:12).

This week our Moveable Feast of Tabernacles group has engaged in some very strategic prayer on behalf of troubling situations in the USA, UK and many nations, including the continent of Africa. We always enjoy an open heaven at the New Imperial Hotel at Jaffa Gate. Our groups are delighted to stay at this strategic hotel managed by the Dajani family. Reading through the guest book comments, we see how especially beloved is the Dajani family because they make the hotel a home and always greet guests with “Welcome home.” The staff bend over backwards to serve guests, and the hotel is a bastion of safety under the loving watch care of Mr. Dajani and his family. 

Prayer request: protests concerning the Supreme Court continue in Israel; please pray that the attempts to pull the carpet out from under the Dajani family will be stopped at the Supreme Court level. The Dajani family owns a three-generational lease on the hotel but in the middle of the night a deal was made in which the landlord (the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate) signed power of attorney over to sell the lease to a local group, which would fundamentally change the Christian Quarter. The Dajanis were never consulted, and thus the nocturnal deal was a grave injustice to their family. Both the Dajani family and the group cannot hold the same lease. The case seems simple because paperwork exists, but in reality the outcome demands the wisdom of Solomon. God, in whom there is no shadow of turning, is a God of justice and demands righteous behavior in all financial business dealings. 

I have written this morning the following “thank you” message to the Dajani family on behalf of our tour group, and I also share these words with you, my prayer partners, as personal encouragements: 

God understands your pain.  As your shepherd the Lord is always watching, always keeping, always providing, always defending, never forsaking. You are never forgotten, always loved. When there are no easy answers, when you are facing something you thought you would never have to face. . . when you wonder how you will ever pick up all the broken pieces, God is there for you!  He will bring you through, not somehow, but triumphantly! 

1 Peter 5: 7, Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.

Meanwhile, as I report in this week’s Jerusalem Channel video, secret negotiations in the Middle East are ongoing behind the scenes– —plans to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia–and a blockbuster deal reportedly is taking place at a furious pace. The Saudis claim to want a diplomatic breakthrough for the Palestinians.  A plan is reportedly being floated that might be acceptable to Israel with the United States as mediator.  According to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, all the parties involved have a general idea of the major elements of a potential agreement between Jerusalem and Riyadh and negotiations are reportedly fairly advanced.

Are you seeking healing from the Lord? When I spoke this week at our “Succot Sampler” at Jerusalem’s Christ Church, I mentioned how God had sustained his people in the wilderness for 40 years and “none was feeble.” (Psalm 105:37) If they grumbled and complained and were bitten by poisonous snakes, all they had to do to be healed was to crawl to the door of their tent (sukka) and LOOK at the bronze serpent on a pole— a type of Messiah being lifted up— and they would LIVE. We believers in Yeshua have a better covenant with better promises. (Hebrews 8:6-9) This is not Supersessionism —it’s simply a Gospel fact! Therefore we reject every feeble infirmity that seeks to take hold of us, and we proclaim in faith 1 Thessalonians 5: 23, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”