"Who WIll Stand" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Who Will Stand?” "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:15 NASB)

Dear family of friends,

Before Laurie and I got married on Oct. 8, 1977, I said to her that we would never speak or consider the “D” word in our marriage. Divorce would never be an option. We would make that commitment to each other. By God’s grace upon us, there would never be an “out.” We would covenant together to make our relationship last during our time on earth. 

And by the Lord’s grace and sustenance, we have kept that promise to each other these past 36 years (and counting!)

In 2006, while on my fifth trip to Israel (thanks to Hannele Pardain, Executive Director of “CFI-USA, Christian Friends of Israel”) the Lord had me again visit my Ben Yehuda Street gift shop owner/friend, Avraham Saiden. I had met Avraham the year before, and after helping him make a phone call back to the USA, he made me his “instant” friend. We continue that friendship to this day.

While in one of his two stores, Dan and David, I was looking at men’s rings, with the help of his son, David. I am not sure why I was. I had never worn a ring, other than my wedding ring. (I couldn’t afford my high school graduation ring, which was OK, being I still am not much on personal jewelry for myself.) But I sensed Holy Spirit speaking to me about getting a ring. With the Star of David on it. So I obeyed.

When I got home, I put the ring on my bedroom dresser, laying it among all the other “souvenirs” I had collected. Looked real nice sitting there.

I don’t remember the exact time (senior moment probably) when it happened, but the Lord later told me to put it on. 

I said, “What?!” He said, “You are now married to Israel.” 

I said, “What?!” again. “I am already married. I can’t have two wives!” 

He didn’t respond further. I knew what that meant. (Sometimes you don’t have to be told twice. Or at least we shouldn’t have to be told twice.)

So…I put the ring on. From that point on, my commitment to stand with the nation of Israel and the Jewish people has continually increased. I am committed.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This verse is found in a few locations around our house now, in prominent places. It is a verse Laurie and I are committed to walk in.

Standing up for Israel will take even more commitment in the days ahead. It is not a popular stand to have. It will cost everything, if we choose to do so.

Each of us will have to make that choice, as part of God’s eternal plan, for each person and nation on earth. Will we stand for His purposes and His people, or will we back down in self-protection and fear?

Who will stand with us? Who will stand with the Jews? Who will stand with the Lord, Who chose them?

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) We will stand.

Ahava to you my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.