I couldn’t fall asleep last night after reading more news reports and doing some research on the conflict in Israel and Gaza. My mind kept flashing between the land and all that Scriptural moments that happened upon it and what is presently happening. This land where olive trees, the symbol of friendship and peace, thrive is far peaceful. In the land where Christ was born and from which Christ fled for fear of violence into Egypt, babies and children are missing and families are once again fleeing.

Poetry helps me process the pain that makes no sense. As such, here is a poem for Israel holding out hope only in the One who once walked there.

The olive trees are trembling 

The olive trees are trembling
For the mehod tov forgot—
Trading their higher purpose 
For plot which leads to plot.

The caves where David fled 
Cry out in consternation—
“Is it still king against king, 
Nation versus nation?”

The cradle that carried Christ 
Caught in crossfire yet again.
The land of the first coming 
For the second weeps, “When?”

The Dead Sea grows more salty 
With a tirade of terrible tears.
The desert grows more desolate 
From the awful fighting of years. 

Remember the One in the garden,
The One lifted on the terrible cross.
He will come again in His glory 
And make sense of all this loss. 

His hands extend the olive branch
To enemies on both sides of the strip.
Lay down your weapons of war;
Receive the security of His grip.