If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. Psalm 137:5-6
If someone were to ask you what you do first thing in the morning what would you answer them? "I get a cup of coffee," or "I pray," would be some of the answers given. Many of you would add that you read the Bible.
I want to add a new aspect to your spiritual awakening each morning. I'm sorry if you haven't enough time, but this wouldn't take long. When you open your eyes in the morning pray a prayer of thankfulness. When you get up share some of the Word with your loved ones and when you check the news cast your eyes first to Jerusalem.
In the morning I open my eyes and pray. Fortunately the Holy Spirit knows what is in my heart because the mornings usually find me in a fog and straining to put together two words that make sense. At breakfast I pray with my children and we read out of the Bible. After breakfast I check the news by first turning to Israel. I need to see what God is doing there. I need to see who is blessing Israel and who is cursing Israel. You see, whatever happens there effects the whole earth in some way.
If we are kingdom minded then we should be already drawn to Jerusalem. If your national leaders hamper Israel then you know to brace for the curses to come upon your nation. If your leaders bless Israel then you can rejoice as your nation basks in God's favor. In this way we live with our focus on the end of the race - the resurrection and coming of the kingdom. This should be how we walk this life rather than focused on every petty matter that God says will only become fuel for the fire.
Turn to Israel, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, believe that it will come and then watch for the lamb of God to come upon the clouds to bring it into being.
To help you start to look to Jerusalem in the mornings I have included three Israeli media links. The first is the Jerusalem Post. A good news source with concise unbiased reporting. The second is the Haaretz Daily. This source is unfortunately very humanistic and liberal, but it is a clear picture of how Israel's leaders and people will think when they enter the false peace of the antichrist. The third is the Israel National News. This is a small media source that is unashamedly conservative and can be a good source for breaking Jewish religious news (They broke the story of the birth of the red heifer). I will have these links on my web site along with others so you can reference them at your convenience.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security in your citadels." For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." For the sake of the house of the LORD God, I will seek your prosperity. Psalm 122:6-9