A Journey North

We checked out of our hotel in Bethlehem this morning and will return to the hotel there on Wednesday evening. We began a journey north along the coastal plains and along the Mediterranean Sea. We stopped at many interesting places.

Our first stop was Jaffa, the Biblical city of Joppa. It was a beautiful picture out across the sea. We reflected on Peter raising Tabitha from the dead as well as Peter’s vision while at the house of Simon the tanner in Joppa by the sea. That vision opened the door of his heart to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Our next stop was Caesarea Martima where Herod the great had built a palace, and fortress by the Sea. We walked along the sea and saw the ruins of this massive complex.



We visited Mount Carmel where we had lunch at a small shop. We reflected on the prophet Elijah’s fleeing to the cave from Jezebel and Ahab. We visited a church built onto a cave on Mount Carmel that tradition says was the cave that Elijah hid in. We looked from the top of Mount Carmel over the city of Haifa again out into the sea. That was a breath taking view.

We finished our journey for the day into Nazareth for our stay at the Hamayan Hotel. We checked into our rooms, had dinner, and spent some down time chatting and relaxing.

My reflection today is on the refreshing and the strength for the journey that God provided for the prophet Elijah while hiding out in that cave. Don’t let the battles you face wear you down. Daily allow the Lord to refresh and strengthen you.