Happy, happy, happy

Dust be diamonds,
water be wine,
happy, happy, happy
all the time, time, time…
Incredible String Band, Changing Horses

This may seem silly and of no importance to most people, but this morning, reading and praying the psalms for the 23rd day of the month, first in English from my Jerusalem Bible, and then in Hebrew from my copy of the Tehillim, I was actually able to read the Hebrew fluently for the first time and, what's more, I was able to understand what I was reading without translating it! I kept pausing because I couldn't believe it, and rereading a verse now and again just to make sure.
"Did I really understand every word? Was I really able to read it without faltering?" This was for me a kind of breakthrough.
God willing, I hope this will continue, I hope He will continue to lead me more and deeper into His holy Word, to equip me for whatever work He lays before me to do.

Why is a Greek Orthodox reading and studying and even praying in Hebrew anyway? Isn't that just for Jews?

Well, as people know, I have made it a point to promote Hellenism, that is, Greek language and learning, particularly of the New Testament, for many years. If you can learn Greek, do it, because the grace you receive from reading and understanding the actual words of Christ and the holy Apostles as they spoke and wrote them is immeasurable.

Now, as the Lord has drawn me and my co-laborer Brock into the study of Hebrew, we have both found that the same is true of learning and using Hebrew as we found with Greek. Knowing both the languages of God's Word opens such doors to understanding God's holy mysteries and glory, that it can't be adequately described.
All I can say is, Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Back to the question, why would a Greek Orthodox want to learn Hebrew?
Well, take a look at this site of the Hebrew Greek Orthodox in Israel. As the Lord says, speaking of His people Israel, "The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to His harvest" (Matthew 9:38 JB)