This is one of the most beautiful seasons to be here in Israel!

The roadsides and hills around Jerusalem are ablaze with beautiful pink and white blossoms of the almond tree which is one of the first trees to flower in Israel.

As the Lord began to call Jeremiah to the prophetic ministry, He spoke in terms of Hebrew thinking that Jeremiah would understand:

“Jeremiah what do
 you see? And he said, ‘ I see the branch of an almond tree.’ Then the
 Lord said to me “you have seen well for I am ready to perform My word.” (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

The Hebrew name for almond is shaqed which means industrious or vigilant.
 The almond is considered the waker in Hebrew thought, because of
 all trees, it blossoms early, watching diligently for the opportunity to bloom. The linguistic connection between ready, waking – shaqad and the almond – shaqed in Hebrew, was such a confirming promise to Jeremiah in his call as a prophet, to root out and to pull down, to build and to plant.

As these blossoms fill this Nation again, God is ready, watchful and
 hastening – vigilant to perform His word. He is ready to perform all His prophetic promises regarding Israel and His covenant people that He watches over, “Why do the nations rage and plot a vain thing? Behold I have set watchmen on your walls O Jerusalem. They shall never hold their peace day or night ….. till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.“  (Psalms 2:1 & Isaiah 62:6-7)

Almond blossoms filled our prayer room this week as a very tangible reminder of the faithfulness of the Lord, that His word “will not return void but it will prosper in the thing for which He sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

In this season of the Almond Blossoms, may you be renewed in His Word
 and know that He is ready to perform every promise that you are believing for which He has released in your heart.

Hilda Chen