Happy Lord’s Day!

With just less than 5 weeks before the launch of our 2025 Israel Solidarity Trip, many details, including our mission theme, are coming into clear view. Perhaps I’ll share more about that as we approach our launch date, but one thing is clear: each of us has committed to go where the Lord leads and do what He leads us to do. We have said, “Here I am!”

In Hebrew, there are two ways to say that. One is poh, similar to a response during a roll call. “I’m here.” The other Hebrew expression is hineni. “Hear I am, at your beck and call.” Abraham said it when God tested his faith (Genesis 22:1). Isaiah said it when the Lord asked “Whom shall I send?” Moses said it when God met him at the burning bush (Exodus 3:4). Samuel repeats it at least three times in 1 Samuel 3, thinking Eli was calling to him, but finding out it was the Lord. (See more at Here am I! – the Hebrew Meaning of Hineni)

Today, I pray you find a quiet place and meditate on this song, taken straight from Isaiah. Then, I’ll share an interesting tidbit following it.

Something struck me as I watched the Hebrew words flash on the screen. What caught my eye were two Hebrew words that look very similar:

Do you see similarities between the two Hebrew words? Hebrew is read right to left, so in this case only the first letter is different. The image to the left is the Hebrew word “hineni,” while the other Hebrew word is “haneni,” meaning mercy or gracefulness.

When we commit ourselves to the Lord (“Here I am, send me”), His mercy and grace go with us! What blessed motivation to go where He leads!

That’s the true basis of our Israel Solidarity Trip. It is going to be beyond imagination. I hope you will follow along with us and pray as God brings us to mind!