A Tour Group of One!
Yes, that's right; my tour group this week was a little smaller than usual. It's like a symptom of the times. I guess there are people who think we are in the middle of a war. OK, so…it's true. Still, tourism to Israel is one of the most important industries in the country.
Hey, it was a great group! No fighting between the folks. Nobody was sleeping in the back of the bus. All of the questions were of interest to the entire group. Everyone was satisfied with the food and the lodgings. It doesn't get much better than this!
I was reading in the Book called the Revelation of Jesus (Last book in the New Testament) and I saw a verse that shocked me. It might be pertinent to any conversation about tour groups who decide not to come to Israel because of the danger. You can look it up for yourself if you want. Try reading Revelation 21:8. I have tried it in several versions. It seems to make a grouping of several kinds of behavior that God says will end up in a place of eternal punishment. What strikes me is that one of the sins that is deemed worthy of God's wrath is fear! Yikes! Or should I say, WOW! Ok, I realize that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom so I know there must be more to it than what we see on the surface. But still, I think we need to pay attention to the fact that God is not pleased with cowardly behavior.
If you planned a trip to Israel and cancelled it for any reason that might be mistaken for fear, make a new excuse right away! I can give you a list of excuses. I think I've heard the best ones already.
They cancelled my trip insurance.
The State Department issued a warning.
My congregation is afraid.
My boss won't give me permission.
The news is all so bad!
I have a list of dozens of excuses that I have heard over the past couple of years. Almost all of them express some level of fear and virtually none of them include a statement of faith. I can't forget the verse that says that without faith it is impossible to please God.