Seven weeks in a War Zone
Rebecca Ulbrich on the guidance and protection of God
Have you ever been to a war zone? Probably very few readers of this article will answer “yes” to this question. And possibly even fewer would consciously travel to one. But CBN employee Rebecca Ulbrich decided to do just that. She spent seven weeks in Israel. During this time, she mainly served in the “Succat Hallel” (Tent of Praise) prayer house in Jerusalem. Rebecca told us how she experienced the situation there and what gave her a sense of security.
How did the desire to support the House of Prayer in Jerusalem come about?
Last year in September, four CBN employees went on a private trip to Israel. Among other things, we visited the House of Prayer in Jerusalem – it was a week before the war began.
The whole trip was a great blessing for us and has left a lasting impression on our understanding of the spiritual significance of Israel. During a visit to the house of prayer, I knew that I wanted to spend a longer time here in prayer and to serve the country and its people. At the time, however, I didn’t realize that it would be so soon, just six months later and then in a war situation.
After our trip, God then spoke to me very clearly and invited me personally to Israel; specifically: “for a time like this”. At the same time, he opened all the doors wide and prepared me and the trip…
How did you feel about the idea of going to a country at war?
I hadn’t actually expected it to be so easy to travel to Israel and serve as a volunteer there during this time. When I was accepted there, I was surprised and excited at the same time. Many Christians around me encouraged me to do it and thought it was a really good idea (not as I had expected – completely absurd or even crazy). Most of them thought it made a lot of sense to support Israel at a time like this and to send a clear signal that we as German Christians stand by Israel’s side.
Non-Christian friends were less understanding and wondered what I was doing in Israel now of all times. Once I was even asked whether I had remembered to take a helmet and a protective vest with me. This view is understandable, but it requires a spiritual perspective.
When, a few weeks before my departure, Iran fired 300 missiles at Israel, including at Jerusalem, and it was unclear how the whole situation would develop, I began to have doubts. But somehow I knew that I would go anyway. When the situation calmed down a bit, I felt at peace about leaving. I continued to receive support and encouragement from the majority of my friends and acquaintances – including my boss at CBN and my pastor, which meant a lot to me.
What ultimately motivated you to go to Israel despite the war situation?
First and foremost, God’s clear speaking motivated me to go. I could not ignore it. It also gave me inner peace – I knew that if God was calling me personally to Jerusalem, he would have his reasons and he would look after me there! To give just one example, the following passage from the Bible spoke to me a lot beforehand and really captured what was going on inside me:
Acts 20:22: “As you see, I am on my way to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit makes me go. I do not know what will happen to me there.”
I was also greatly strengthened by the affirmation in my environment, my church, family and at work – I never felt alone. I knew that I had many brothers and sisters praying for me.
How was your time in Israel for you?
When I was there, I hardly heard anything about the war itself. As I spent less time on the internet and watching the news, I sometimes even felt less informed than in Germany.
Once or twice there were “minor” incidents, such as knife attacks at the Jaffa Gate near us, which were not covered at all in the Western media. But I didn’t experience this directly either, I only heard about it.
Jerusalem was very quiet most of the time. Much quieter, in fact, than in September last year, as there were hardly any tourists around.
What you could feel very clearly, however, was the change in the atmosphere in the city and the general mood. It was quiet, but tense. People didn’t know what would happen next. Many soldiers (sons, daughters, fathers, …) were at the front in the north or in Gaza. You also came across “traveling” groups of soldiers everywhere who were on their way home or back to the war zone. I was very touched by the fact that most of the soldiers looked very young. (Most of them are probably just 18 years old).
The economy and many small shops/businesses suffered considerable losses. All over the country, even directly at the airport, there were posters of the hostages with the inscription: “Bring them Home” – like a desperate call from the heart of Israel. Talking to the people on the ground, you immediately sensed a feeling of unease and a lack of hope, especially for the future. I experienced holidays when people normally celebrate and dance, but instead there was a depressing silence.
All the more beautiful and glorious were the moments when, for example, it was announced that hostages had been freed. A cry of victory and dancing throughout the country, in Jerusalem on the streets, in Tel Aviv on the beach, and of course in our house of prayer. We had prayed for them almost every day.
Were there situations in which you were afraid?
No, there was no situation in which I was specifically afraid that the war could harm me or the others in the prayer house.
When I was asked if I could help distribute food to IDF soldiers in northern Israel – while many rockets were being fired at this very place every day – I had serious doubts. But even in this situation, I felt supported: on the very day I was asked, my pastor wrote to me and asked how my church could pray for me. I knew that if God sent me there, then it would be safe and if he closed the door, then probably not. In the end, God closed the door himself and I didn’t go north to the border with Lebanon.
What gives you a sense of security?
My experiences with God so far give me confidence in him. I have never experienced that – when I let myself be guided by him and listen to his voice – he brings me into a situation that ends up harming me. On the contrary, he usually blesses us when we follow him, especially when we venture into the unknown and don’t know beforehand what will happen.
In addition, God’s word, the Bible, reassures me. Since his word speaks very tangibly and personally in many situations, warns, corrects and guides, I have the feeling that someone is there who is “watching out”. His commandments and boundaries mean security.
My bigger fear is actually that I can’t trust myself and what happens when I walk without God – when I go my own way and follow my own will. This usually leads to less than ideal places or situations.
So I feel safe, when I trust the one who has a perspective that I don’t have. To believe that he really means well with me and others! To follow him and believe that he has something or a special task where he is sending me.
And God has once again proven how faithful and trustworthy he is. How He watches over me as a Father and holds His protective hand over me. He has watched over my entrance and exit in Israel, just as he promised in Psalm 121:8.
What has become particularly important to you during this time?
Many Christians in the Western world believe that Israel no longer has much of anything to do with us these days. In most churches and congregations, the topic of Israel hardly plays a role. There is ignorance about the extraordinary importance of Israel and the Jewish people in God’s salvation plan.
A Christian replacement theology has cut us off from all our Jewish roots and claims that what happens in Israel no longer concerns us “normal” Christians today. But that is not true. What happens in Israel affects us all! Jesus will return to Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives and that is why it is the most embattled place in the world! Whether a country blesses Israel and publicly declares its allegiance to Israel has a decisive influence on the blessing of the whole country:
“I will bring good to those who are good to you. And I will curse those who curse you. Good will come to all the families of the earth because of you.” 1. Moses 12:3
Our responsibility as Christians is to pray for Israel and the Jewish people – and to bless them! We don’t have to agree with everything they do (especially politically), but we must clearly show them that we are on their side and support them! Especially at a time like this when many nations are turning against Israel.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all go well for those who love you.” Psalms 122:6
