“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
As I stand here on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, my heart is filled with gratitude. Every time I come to this beautiful place, I am reminded that these are the very waters where Yeshua spent much of His earthly ministry. Of all the places He could have chosen, He made this region the center of His work—teaching the Word of God, healing the sick, revealing the Kingdom of Heaven, and calling ordinary people to follow Him.
When I look across the Sea of Galilee, I don’t just see water. I see the faithfulness of God.
These waters remind me of Peter stepping out of the boat in faith. They remind me of empty fishing nets suddenly overflowing with God’s provision. They remind me of Yeshua calming the storm when His disciples were overwhelmed with fear. They remind me of the miraculous provision of a coin from the mouth of a fish, and of the risen Messiah preparing breakfast for His disciples on this very shore.
Every miracle reveals something about His heart. They remind us that Yeshua is never absent from the ordinary moments of life. He meets us in our fears, our questions, our failures, and our greatest needs. Wherever He is present, hope is always stronger than despair.
One verse especially comes to my heart whenever I am here:
“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret.”
Luke 5:1
I love this verse because before the miracles came, the people came to hear the Word of God.
That has never changed.
We all have needs. We pray for healing, for provision, for wisdom, for our families, and for God’s direction. But before Yeshua met the physical needs of the crowds, He first fed their hearts with the truth of God’s Word. He knew that lasting transformation begins when we hear His voice.
I believe the same is true for us today.
The world is full of opinions, distractions, and reasons to be anxious. Every day we are surrounded by voices competing for our attention. But nothing strengthens our faith like spending time in God’s presence and allowing His Word to shape our hearts. The more we listen to Him, the more we begin to see our circumstances through His promises instead of our fears.
That is why the Sea of Galilee has become such a special place for us at Beit Hallel. Throughout the years we have brought pastors, ministry leaders, young adults, and teenagers here for Bible studies, discipleship retreats, leadership training, and times of worship. There is something deeply meaningful about opening the Scriptures where Yeshua Himself taught His disciples.
Our desire has never been simply to teach information. Our desire is to help people know Yeshua more deeply, walk more closely with Him, and become faithful disciples who will influence the next generation for His Kingdom.
Every visit reminds me that the work Yeshua began here is still continuing today.
But perhaps the greatest gift I receive whenever I come here is shalom.
There is a deep peace that fills my heart as I stand on these shores. Not because life is without challenges, but because this place reminds me of the One who rules over every storm.
Biblical shalom is much more than the absence of trouble. It is the confidence that our lives are safely in God’s hands. It is knowing that even when we do not understand His timing, we can trust His heart. It is resting in the faithfulness of the One who never changes.
Perhaps today you are carrying a burden that feels heavy. Maybe you are praying for a loved one, facing uncertainty about the future, or waiting for God to answer a prayer. If that is where you find yourself, I want to encourage you today: the same Yeshua who walked these shores still walks with His people. He still speaks peace into anxious hearts. He still calms storms. He still calls us to trust Him.
As we enter this Shabbat, my prayer for you is simple:
“May the peace of Yeshua fill your heart and your home. May His Word become your strength, His presence become your refuge, and His promises become your confidence. May every anxious thought be surrendered to Him, and may you find true rest in the One who is our Prince of Peace.”
From the peaceful shores of the Sea of Galilee, I wish you and your family a blessed and restful Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pastor Israel Pochtar
