RR Psalm 56 11:12 Part 8

Rabbi’s Reflections - Friday, July 3, 2026 
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Trail: Welcome to the club!  That was my greeting offered by many Israelis when I was introduced to them as an “Oleh Chadash” (a new immigrant).  To be an Israeli is to be part of the “Chosen People” whose very existence is opposed by much of the rest of the world.  To be a lover of those same “Chosen People” makes you guilty by association.

When times get tough, (and I believe the Scriptures clearly make the case that times will get tougher) will you continue to stand with the Jewish people?  Many Christians who lived in Europe during the Holocaust were just glad they didn’t have to wear a yellow star.  Many have said that they didn’t know what was happening, but they knew.  Even children knew.  What if those times come back.  (Personally, I believe we’re not that far from it.)  Would you say, “Give me a star too, we’re all Jews here!?”  

So I want to say to you, as a true lover of Israel and the Jewish people, “Welcome to the club.”  The yellow star is your membership pin.  Better get ready.  End RT. 
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Psalms
Psalm 56:11,12(10,11) – Part 8

Psalm 56:11(10) In God—I keep praising His word—in Adonai—I keep praising His word— 12(11) in God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

There’s a question, “What can man do to me?”  Let me tell you, “A lot!!!”  Have you looked around lately?  Yeshua admonished His disciples… Matthew 10:16  “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17a  But beware of men.  Does our faith guarantee an exemption from pain and suffering?  Certainly not!  Listen to Paul’s testimony, and who had more faith than him?  

2Corinthians 11:23 Are they servants of Messiah? I am more so—I speak like I’m out of my mind—in labors much more, in prisons much more, in beatings more brutal, near death often. 24 Five times from the Jewish leaders I received forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent in the open sea. 26 In my many journeys I have been in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the desert, dangers in the sea, dangers among false brothers, 27 in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Paul knew, and so should we, that God’s promise is that He will BE WITH US through the fire of various trials.  Ask Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego if they were exempt from the fire?  Daniel 3:25 But he (King Nebuchadnezzar) answered saying, “Look! I see four men walking about unbound and unharmed in the middle of the fire, and the fourth has the appearance like a son of the gods!”  Yeshua was dancing in the fire WITH the three men who were willing to die, rather than worship a man.

The phrase, “I keep praising His word,” appears twice in our subject verse.  Peter helps us put these things in perspective.  Let’s give him the last word today.  1Peter 1:6 You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. 7 These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri3-July 202618th of Tamuz, 5786
Nu 28:16-29:11 Ez 12-13Neh 8Eph 1 (Lk 13)