Ir David

That is... The City of David...

The story of the City of David began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left the city of Hebron for a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem, establishing it as the unified capital of the tribes of Israel. Years later, David's son, King Solomon, built the First Temple next to the City of David on top of Mount Moriah, the site of the binding of Isaac, and with it, this hilltop became one of the most important sites in the world. (From the http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/ website)

In case you didn't catch it, the City of David is the original Jerusalem... a "baby Jerusalem" if you will. The city before it became The City.

Standing outside this city a couple of years ago, I must say, the actual site is, shall we say... not so impressive. Especially after spending 9 days looking at old cities, it really just looked like another old city. Sorry, it's just not my thing ;-) Now, don't get me wrong; I was all kinds of properly reverent regarding the historical significance, etc, but looking around I had pretty much the same sense I had on the whole trip: "He ain't here" (well, at least not in any way that He isn't with me all the time!)

But as we listened to the lecture on the City of David, I looked over at my new friend Renae, and over her head, way up in the sky, was a sweet little sight that made me smile:

Look closely... do you see the tiny rainbow? :) Today, as I ponder "baby" Echo, and how singularly unspectacular we kind of are (again, don't get me wrong, you all know I ADORE this little body!)... I ponder that little rainbow over little old Ir David, and I remember God's promise... of a New and Glorious City-to-Come... and a New Day, a Shabbat for us to enter, and a New Name that will rest as a gentle blessing on the heads of those who "have a little power, and have kept (His) word, and have not denied His name." (Rev 3:8-12)
Stand firm, little Echo. Remember His promises, keep His Word, persevere, and do not give in to the temptation to deny His name...
And this weekend, may you Shabbat in Shalom. You are loved.