Dear Jerusalem,
Three years ago today I first saw you. Although I can’t say it was love at first sight, I knew that it was an answer to prayer—even a miracle—that I was able to travel to see you at all, and was so excited and thankful to be standing within your gates. It wasn’t but a few days more until I was enveloped in the same infatuation that has claimed the hearts of so many of your children over the millennia. You captured my heart in a way that no other city ever has or ever will. In you I found a home—found a sense of belonging that I had hardly known was lacking. I didn’t realize before 2023 that a human heart could love a place as much as I love you.
Over these three years, I have shed many tears over you—both tears of pain and yearning caused by the ocean-breadth distance and tears of joy and thankfulness that God has connected me to you and your destiny. Whether from afar or close by, I know I will continue to cry alongside you until at last all things are made complete at the returning of our King. Though all my life, I will share in your emotions of both pain and comfort. And believe me, the comfort our King provides will be greater. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this life are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
I knew it was Yehovah’s perfect plan that had led me to your streets that first time in March 2023. Though the infatuation with you had not yet hit me, I still knew in my spirit it wouldn’t be the last time I stood within you. As our bus drove away, I whispered to you, “I shall return.” I had begged Yehovah to let me to see you only once, but I knew soon that it wouldn’t be just once. Yehovah has shown that I am to keep returning to you, again and again—until finally the day comes when I get to stay within your renewed walls and never leave. This is one of my heart’s greatest desires.
Yehovah expressly declared that when He created and formed you, He made you to be inhabited and to be established.(Jeremiah 33:2) Who is to inhabit you? By His grace, me. Who is to establish you? By His grace, me. I am honored to share in your story and share in Yehovah’s passionate love for you. Because, after all, He loves you more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. (Psalm 87:2)
I can’t wait to see your walls again, touch your dust again, play violin within you again, laugh within you again, and bring life to you again. Until then, we endure the waiting through the power of the promise.
“I will return to Zion,
And dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth,
The Mountain of Yehovah of hosts,
The Holy Mountain.”
(from Zechariah 8:3)
“Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. Yehovah, your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will be silent in His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
(from Zephaniah 3: 16-17)
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I long for you
I’m longing for the day that I return
Jerusalem, how long shall I be far from you?
To see your walls and citadels I yearn
Jerusalem, the King of Kings has chosen you
To shine throughout the world His truth and light
Upon your walls His watchmen keep their eyes on you
Throughout each day and even every night
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I grieve for you
I’ll grieve until your mourning days are done
Jerusalem, how long shall strife remain in you?
Until the blessed arrival of the Son
Jerusalem, both day and night I dream of you
I dream of building up your fallen walls
What blessings and great mysteries are found in you!
How wondrous that in you my portion falls
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I’ll live in you
A place within your walls is pledged to me
Jerusalem, when I look east and pray for you
The King of Kings who loves you hears my plea
Jerusalem, though pain and hardship fall on you
One day you’ll be established far from fear
Behold, your King is coming to deliver you
You’ll be a joy and praise to all who hear
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I’m missing you
My heart and all my treasures are with thee
Jerusalem, your King has bound my heart to you
When I am far away, do you miss me?
Jerusalem, the King has made His home in you
He loves you more than any other land
Jerusalem, how glad I was to visit you!
How long till in your walls again I stand?
—written by F. A. W. in 2023
I will return. אני אשוב
Love from your daughter,
Faith A. Williams
