Shalom,

Psalm 65:5 Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your House—Your holy Temple.

To be “chosen” by Yeshua is a blessing.  Yeshua is speaking… John 15:16a “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.”  But chosen for what?  We have been chosen to join Yeshua in the “fellowship of His suffering.”   Philippians 3:10 My aim is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.  As Jewish people joking say about themselves, in prayer to God.  “We rejoice to be the chosen people, but could You choose someone else once in a while?”

The Hebrew word for “chosen” is “Ba’chur” *Bet-Chet-Resh), meaning to be appointed for a purpose.  More specifically, that purpose is to be tried or tested.  Jacob (James) wrote this… Jacob 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  Peter also wrote about this issue… 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.

The promise of the second part of our subject verse is that “we will be satisfied” with the goodness of God’s Temple.  It is written as if our satisfaction is incomplete.  We’re never done being satisfied with the goodness of God!  God will continually (never stop) satisfying us.

Speaking of God’s Temple, that’s not some place that used to exist in the promised land, but rather it is near to where you are right now, and even within you.  1Corinthians 6:19 Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Ruach ha-Kodesh who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.   So then, there seems to be a great blessing for those who are chosen.  Choose to be chosen.  Yeshua chose you, choose Him back.  Shalom shalom.  

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed    23 Sep 2026               12th of Tishrei, 5787
Le 23:4-8                    Zec 11             2 Ch 31           Rev 16            (Ac 22)

Shalom,

In case you have wandered into this conversation from a “Rip Van Winkle” type of existence, let me tell you that Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.  It is the day set aside in the Torah to “afflict your soul.” (Leviticus 23:27)

What exactly does that mean?  Our sages (historical rabbis who wisely interpreted scripture) called for a day of fasting and prayers of repentance on that day.  When we had a Holy Temple and priesthood, that was the one day each year when the High Priest would enter the Holiest of all (the Holy of Holies).  

It was very much a day of convergence.  Four dimensions all converged on that one day; time, people, space and language.  Let me explain.

In the convergence of time, God appointed a day.  We have an entire year, one circuit around the sun.  Out of that year there are many Shabbats and other holidays (Holy Days).  From all of them, one day (and only the afternoon of that day) is set aside by God for the High Priest to enter in to the place where the only light is the Shekinah Glory of God’s presence.  Other than that day, mankind was not allowed in God’s presence.

In the convergence of people, again God chose.  He chose a people.  He made a nation based on His promise to our father, Abraham, and from Abraham to Isaac and from Isaac to Jacob.  One of God’s names is “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”  From the sons of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), God made a nation out of children of Israel, whose 12 sons became the 12 tribes.  From the 12 tribes, God set aside the tribe of Levi, and only Levi, to serve Him, without an inheritance.  Out of that tribe of Levi, God set aside the house of Aaron as His priesthood.  And from that priesthood, one man was appointed as High Priest, whose assignment was to enter into the Holy of Holies.  Other than that one day, no one other than that one man was allowed in God’s presence.

In the convergence of space, again God chose.  He chose a land, promised to Abraham.  Out of that land, God chose a city, Jerusalem.  And out of that city, God chose the Temple Mount between the Kidron Valley and the Tyropoeon Valley, God assigned Solomon to build the Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash).  In the innermost part of the Temple, God made a dark space, where the only light would be His Shekinah glory.  Other than that one day, the one High Priest, and that one place, the Holy of Holies within the Holy Temple, no one was allowed in God’s presence.  

In the convergence of language, of all the languages on earth, God chose Hebrew as the prayer language of His chosen people.  Of all the Hebrew words, God gave Himself a holy name, the Yud-Hay-Vav-Hay.  That name was so holy that it could only be spoken aloud in one place by one man on one day.  Only on that one day, by that one man and at that one place could that one name be spoken aloud, and only in the presence of God.

Now the good news.  Because God sent His Son, Yeshua, you and I are included.  The access that was once so highly restricted is now available to us today, and every day.  We are that promised kingdom of priests with a divine assignment to minister to God on behalf of the people.  Solomon’s Temple has been destroyed.  But now, on account of Yeshua’s once for all time sacrifice, God has set His Temple in our hearts.  And yes, even His holy name must continually be spoken by His saints, today and every day, even to the ends of the earth.  Now, go forth in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10) and proclaim His name to a sick and dying world.
 
Gamar Chatimah Tovah (may you have a completely good signature [in the book of life]) or L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu V’Tekatemu (may you have a good year and be written [signed] and sealed (in the book of life).

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue     22 Sep 2026               11th of Tishrei, 5787
Le 23:1-3       Zec 10            2 Ch 30           Rev 15            (Ac 21:17-40

Shalom,

Psalm 65:1 For the music director, a psalm, a song of David. 2  Praise is awaiting You in Zion, O God, and to You the vow will be fulfilled. 3 O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. 4 Records of sins overwhelm me—You will atone for our transgressions.

This is too perfect.  I’m writing on the day before Yom Kippur.  (I will not be writing on Monday, Yom Kippur, for Tuesday.  I will probably republish an RR I wrote years ago which is appropriate for the occasion.)  What I’m now writing is the RR FOR this Yom Kippur.  How appropriate it is that our subject text clearly states, “You will atone for our transgressions.”  

Let’s once again meditate on God’s goodness, His love, and His grace.  He is the all powerful creator of the universe and He loves you.  The universe God created, that we have observed from planet earth is more than 90 billion light years from end to end.  That’s as far as we can see from earth, but don’t you know God is much greater than that?  His greatness is far beyond our ability to comprehend.

Psalm 8:4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You established— 5 what is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You care for him?

Rather than dwelling on God’s greatness (which should make us feel small and insignificant), we should meditate on His lovingkindness, (which should make us feel valued and important to Him).  One of His names is El Shaddai, the Almighty God.  Amazingly, He shows us lovingkindness even when we rebel against His righteous principles, and that’s the point of Yom Kippur.

“Kippur” is translated as atonement.  We tend to use the word as if we understand it’s full meaning, but we don’t.  After all, nobody ever went the store for a pound of atonement.  Our atonement is our protective covering. It can only be provided by God.  (What, are we going to protect ourselves?)   Who says it better than this?  

Psalm 46:2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.    

If my life were a boat, it would be filled with holes, taking on water and in danger of sinking.  But God!  He is our “Kaper” (atonement).  In Hebrew, “Kaper” is the protective coating of pitch that prevents the boat from sinking.  When you trust in Yeshua, He writes your name in the book of life with the indelible ink of His blood.  

How sad that Jewish people are praying on Yom Kippur to be written in the book of life for another year when they could have that eternal assurance of being written forever.  Please pray that this year, Jewish eyes, ears, hearts and minds will be opened to the good news, “Yeshua is Lord, to the glory of God our Father.”  Shalom shalom.  

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon    21 Sep 2026             10th of Tishrei, 5787 Yom Kippur
Le 16 Nu 29:7-11    Le 18 (afternoon)    Isa 57:14-58:14       Jonah 1-4 (afternoon)        Mic 7:18-20 (afternoon)    Jas 4:1-12, 2 Pe 3:9-14  

Shabbat Shalom,
 
Our Parshah this week is Deuteronomy 32, Ha’azinu – “Give Ear.” This comes from Deuteronomy 32:1 Give ear (ha’azinu), O heavens, and I will speak. Let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
 
Most of this reading is The Song of Moses. In this song or poem, Moses warns of Israel’s future unfaithfulness, and the justice ADONAI will perform when Israel is disobedient, compares Torah to the blessings of rain, that ADONAI has nurtured Israel, and warns of pursuing worthless gods. He also states that even while being disciplined, ADONAI will not abandon His people forever and there is encouragement to hear the message in this prophesy and to share the message with future generations. Moses is commanded to ascent Mount Nebo to see but not enter the land and then he will die on the mountain.
 
We are in the middle of the High Holy Days. These are ADONAI’s commanded times, yet other than our Jewish friends, other Messianic congregations and a handful of others, God’s feasts and festivals are largely ignored. This reading gives us a very good reason why God gave us these festivals.
 
Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of antiquity, understand the years across generations. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will say to you. (other translations – they will inform you, explain to you, tell you, teach you.)
 
The command to remember the past is a recurring theme in the Bible. We are consistently reminded that a nation that forgets their past will not survive for long. In His infinite wisdom, ADONAI gave us His Holy convocations as reminders of His provision, love, forgiveness, and yes, discipline when needed. Celebrating God’s festivals builds a cohesiveness across the communities of His worshipers and reminds us of His past miracles and future promises. Indeed, without the continued celebration of ADONAI’s festivals, the Jewish people would not have survived the persistent persecution they endured across millennia.
 
Exodus 12:26-27 (Passover) Now when it happens that your children ask you, “What does this ceremony mean to you?” You are to say, “It is the sacrifice of ADONAI’s Passover, because He passed over the houses of Bnei-Yisrael in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians but spared our households.
 
Even before the exodus began, ADONAI was reminding the Israelites to remember and to teach the next generations.
 
The Shema also reminds us to teach our children in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words are to be on your heart. You are to teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Which I would understand to mean that we should be teaching our children and others at all points during our days.
 
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.
 
Unfortunately, this is something not well remembered in our “modern” society. Part of growing up is learning that failure is always a possibility.
 
Now, I am not meaning that in the whole-life sense. But when playing a game, someone must lose. When taking an exam, some will do better than others. When running a race, someone will win the rest will not. Today, in many schools there are no winners or losers, just participants. Everyone gets the same participation award.
 
Failure and disappointment may not be fun, but they are good teachers. In my years as a Navy leader, I looked at failure (as long as it was not on purpose and no one was seriously injured) as a learning opportunity. We learned and improved through our mistakes.
 
Romans 5:3-5 We also boast in suffering – knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint.
 
We also find teaching as a key part of discipleship.
 
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
 
So, what are we told to teach new disciples to observe?
 
John 10:30 (Yeshua speaking) I and the Father are one. If Yeshua and ADONAI are one, then perhaps we just might find what we should teach new disciples to observe in Torah.
 
If we don’t teach our young ones and new believers correctly, who will teach them and what will they learn?
 
Let’s give Paul the last word.
 
2Timothty 2:1-2 Therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace of Messiah Yeshua. And what you have heard from me among many witnesses, entrust to faithful people who will be capable to teach others also.
 
Shabbat Shalom

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat      19 Sep 2026             8th of Tishrei, 5787
Parashat Ha’Azinu Shabbat Shuva
De 32:40-52              Hos 14:1-9[2-10], Joel 2:15-27     Heb 12:1-17

Shabbat shalom ,

NO WEAPON
Isaiah 54:16-17
By David Harwood

What an interesting couple of verses:
 
Behold, I created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its work, and I created the destroyer to ruin. No weapon formed against you will prosper and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Adonai’s servants — their vindication is from Me.” It is a declaration of Adonai.  Isaiah 54:16-17
 
Notice that the Lord knows a thing or two about making weapons. In fact, He created the craftsman. He gives the wisdom and the skill necessary to design and make implements of war.
 
The destroyer is a title given to God’s destroying angel (Exodus 12:23; 2 Samuel 24:16). In Isaiah 54’s context the destroyer is a human agent of judgment — Babylon. He created Babylon to conquer and pillage (Jeremiah 25:9). The principle is broader than Babylon, but look at its outcome: “Babylon is fallen” (Isaiah 21:9; Revelation 14:8; 18:2).
 
The Lord also knows how to render the weaponry of the adversary useless. Is it a problem with the quality of their weapons? No. This is Heaven’s WarLord defending His people.
 
Now, concerning accusations and judgments. Who is completely guiltless? I am not speaking of our judicial righteousness. I am talking about the practical righteousness into which we are growing as we are progressively made holy in attitude and lifestyle. My perspective is this: if a hostile, perceptive person followed any of us around for a couple of weeks, they would probably have no problem coming up with a few relevant, true accusations.
 
Maybe I’m just thinking about me… Not you. Maybe you too?
 
Anyway, there is One against whom no accusation can stand. It is the Servant of Adonai. Yeshua is that Servant, and He was without fault. Yeshua is blameless. Yet He was accused, and people accuse Him all the time. Faultfinders abound. Defenders are scarce.
 
Speaking of His defenders, the Messiah has servants who honor His name. They have been declared righteous, and they are. However, have you noticed the amount of correction they receive in the Scriptures? I have. I am speaking about us now — we are constantly in need of adjustment. That is true, but we are still His servants.
 
Ultimately, those who come against the King’s servants are coming against the King (Acts 9:4). And this King has purposes that cannot finally be derailed. No matter the excellence of the enemy’s weaponry, any and all weapons against Him and His servants shall be found useless. No matter how well-crafted the accusations, they will fall apart on the Day of Judgment.
 
In fact, even true accusations are subject to a higher verdict (1 John 1:8-9). We find that verdict in Romans 8:1.
 
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua.  Romans 8:1
 
If we should be accused in heaven or on earth, we have an Intercessor with our Father.
 
My children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Intercessor with the Father — the righteous Messiah Yeshua.  1 John 2:1
 
Question: why do we need an intercessor? Why do we need this Intercessor?
 
He answers the accusations. And He is the one who condemns every tongue that rises up in judgment against Him as His servants are attacked. He is Adonai (their) righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6), and Yeshua’s servants overcome the accuser through the Messiah’s blood and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:10-11).
 
Meanwhile, speaking of weapons, these verses give me ammunition for intercession.
 
When appealing to Yeshua, and when praying to Father on His Servant’s behalf — interceding for His people, His purposes, His servants — I can pray along these lines:
 
Lord Yeshua, You are The Servant of Adonai. No accusation against You can stand. All weapons created to frustrate Your purposes will not prosper. You are the Righteous One against Whom no strategy can succeed.
 
Father, You understand weaponry. You know the devil’s designs. Go to war on behalf of Your Son. He is totally worthy of Your vindication, and because of Him, so are we.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat      19 Sep 2026             8th of Tishrei, 5787 
Parashat Ha’Azinu Shabbat Shuva
De 32:40-52              Hos 14:1-9[2-10], Joel 2:15-27     Heb 12:1-17

Shalom,

Psalm 64:8 But God will shoot them with an arrow—suddenly their wounds will appear. 9 So their tongue will be their downfall. All who see them will flee away. 10 Then all men will fear. So they will declare the work of God, and ponder what He has done. 11 The righteous will be glad in Adonai and take refuge in Him. Let all the upright in heart give glory!

In verse 8, we find the word “suddenly.”  In Hebrew it is “Pit’om” indicating an immediate change.  It is used in Scripture in this way consistently.  For instance, Malachi prophesied over the coming of Yeshua.  Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. Suddenly He will come to His Temple—the Lord whom you seek—and the Messenger of the covenant—the One whom you desire—behold, He is coming,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot.  We use the same word in modern Hebrew in the same way.  There is an idiom, “Ma Pit’om,” which means literally, “What, suddenly?” And figuratively, “What possessed you?"

Back in our subject verse, what is the sudden change we are seeing?  What was not there one instant, but is there the next?  Psalm 64:8 But God will shoot them with an arrow—suddenly their wounds will appear.  All of a sudden our enemies will be wounded by arrows shot by God.  The sudden change is when prophecy becomes reality.  

1Thessalonians 5:3 When they are saying, “Shalom and safety,” sudden destruction comes upon them like a woman having birth pains in the womb—there is no way they will escape.

That’s right, suddenly, the future has arrived and become our reality.  Accordingly, everyone will see what God has done and do two things.  First, everyone will respond in fear, and secondly, everyone will “ponder” or meditate on what God has done.  The Hebrew word for “ponder” is “Sachal” (Sin-Kaf-Lamed) meaning to “wisely consider.”  There will be a big difference in the response of people!  Some (the righteous followers of Yeshua) will be glad and rejoice, while others (the unrepentant workers of iniquity) will be stuck and without a way to escape.  

Proverbs 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked perishes. 29 The way of Adonai is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a ruin to those who do evil.   

Today, both the righteous and the wicked appear to be doing just fine. However; (and don’t be a fool about this) sudden destruction is waiting for the workers of iniquity.  Isaiah 30:13 therefore this sin will be to you like a crack bulging in a high wall, about to fall—its collapse comes suddenly, in an instant!  And on that happy note, shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu     17 Sep 2026               6th of Tishrei, 5787              
De 32:19-28     Zec 6-7           2 Ch 28           Rev 12            (Ac 19:21-40)

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm Psa 65:1 For the music director, a psalm, a song of David. 2  Praise is awaiting You in Zion, O God, and to You the vow will be fulfilled. 3 O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. 4 Records of sins overwhelm me—You will atone for our transgressions.

Rabbi Trail: Enjoy an “oldie, but a goodie” from Israel’s Hope 40+ years ago.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTCbtH7UhQA End RT.

Wahoo!  We hit the “mother load!”  This is better than I was expecting.  Listen to these words again (read them aloud if possible).  “You (God) will atone for our transgressions.”  Who is doing the atoning?  That’s right, Elohim is the name for God in verse 2.  We know Him as Yeshua HaMashiach, The Lord, our Messiah (The Anointed One).

Rabbi Trail: Let’s do a little “word smithing.”  There are two Hebrew words translated as “praise” and “prayer.”  They are “T’hi’lah” and “T’fi’lah” respectively.  The difference is the “Hey” in “T’hi’lah” is replaced with a “Fey” in “T’fi’lah.”  The “Hey” is the letter that represents God’s name (used twice in His name “Yehovah”), while the “Fey” is the letter representing work, “Po’el” in Hebrew.  The point is that praise is always in adoration of God while prayer is the “work” of praising God. End RT.

Another way to read these verses is with the thought that “all flesh will come to God in Zion.”  Think about it… much of the world today is cursing Zion and Zionism.  Zion is a place, the land of Israel, while Zionism is the idea that Jewish people should live there.  Still, there will come a day (closer than we might think) when all flesh will come to Zion with joyful singing.  Isaiah saw that day…

Isaiah 51:11  Now the ransomed of Adonai will return, and come to Zion with singing. Everlasting joy will be upon their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

The Bible is full of consistent prophecy.…  Zechariah 14:16 Then  all the survivors from all the nations that attacked Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot, and to celebrate Sukkot.  Yes, today the world is attacking Jerusalem (Zion), but soon the world will go up to Zion with gladness.  

Isaiah 2:2 It will come to pass in the last days that the mountain of Adonai’s House will stand firm as head of the mountains and will be exalted above the hills. So all nations will flow to it. 3 Then many peoples will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Adonai, to the House of the God of Jacob! Then He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For Torah will go forth from Zion and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem.  See you in Zion.  Shalom shalom.

Rabbi Trail: This must be Israel’s Hope Day or something.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UNQaxrMr2U End RT.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri       18 Sep 2026               7th of Tishrei, 5787
De 32:29-39       Zec 8         2 Ch 29:1-19  Rev 13         (Ac 20)  

Shalom,

Psalm 64:6 They are firming up their evil plan. They talk about setting secret traps. They asked, “Who would see them?” 7 They are plotting injustices: “We have completed a perfect plot!” A man’s inward part and heart are deep. 8 But God will shoot them with an arrow—suddenly their wounds will appear.

What are “they” doing?  They’re “firming up their evil plan.”  Also, they’re talking “about setting secret traps.”  Then, suddenly, they think they’re invisible!  Also, they are “plotting injustices,” believing themselves to have “completed a perfect plot!”  Then, in the second half of verse 7(6), we find a curious phrase… “A man’s inward part and heart are deep.”  Let’s “unpack” the poetic language used here.
One body part is mentioned, the “Lev,” which is the heart.  A “Lev” is more than the beating organ that keeps us alive.  The Hebrew word “Lev” is used almost 600 times in the Hebrew Scriptures.  And more than 2/3 of those mentions are translated as “heart” or a version (such as plural) thereof.  The other 200 times, it can also refer to the inner man or mind.  

Along those lines, that same word, “Lev” is also translated as… attention, bravest, brokenhearted, care, completely, concern, conscience, courage, discouraged, encouragingly, imagination, inspiration, intelligence, kindly, mind, obstinate, pride, self-exaltation, skill, stubborn-minded, understanding, and wisdom.

We see here that the heart can reflect good intentions, and also bad intentions.  Luke 6:45a “Out of the good treasure of his heart the good man brings forth good, and out of evil the evil man brings forth evil.”  So, what will it be?  Psalm 51:12(10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Or will the opposite be true?  Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and incurable—who can know it?”  Call on the Lord… Isaiah 58:9a Then you will call, and Adonai will answer.  

Rabbi’s Note: Read the rest of Isaiah 58 for a better understanding.  This promise is conditional, which the Lord fully explains at the end of Isaiah, chapter 58.  End RN.

Finally, this “heart” (the intensions) of a man are called “deep” by the poet, David.  The Hebrew word is “Emek,” meaning “valley,” but translated as “deep.”  What happens in a valley is something called a watershed.  Water seeks the lowest level possible.  The rain on the hillsides runs down to the lowest point in the valley, creating everything from a trickle in small watersheds, all the way to a river in large watersheds.

That mind or inner man is considered “deep” when the heart is fixed on the things of God.  Paul cannot contain himself as he ends his three chapter lesson on the value of Messianic Judaism (Romans 9,10,11).  Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how incomprehensible His ways!

Let the river run… John 7:38  “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, ‘out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed    16 Sep 2026               5th of Tishrei, 5787
De 32:13-18         Zec 4-5           2 Ch 27           Rev 11            (Ac 19:1-20)

Shalom,

Psalm 64:1 For the music director, a psalm of David. 2 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint. Protect my life from terror of the enemy. 3 Hide me from the conspiracy of evildoers, from the tumult of workers of iniquity, 4 who sharpened their tongue like a sword, and aimed their arrow—bitter words, 5 to shoot from hiding at the innocent, shooting suddenly at him, with no fear.

Bible scholars believe that every Psalm “of David” corresponds to a particular time of trouble in his life, and there were many.  This Psalm, however; is different.  Scholars have found no clues that lead to a particular time of David’s trouble.  Some of them have concluded that the Psalm is more prophetic, pointing to the time of Daniel’s trouble.  Daniel was the victim of a carefully crafted plan in which his enemies goaded the king to throw him into the lion’s den.  As we read these words, it is easy to see Daniel’s trouble, as well as David’s.

As with every Scripture, we must ask the question, “How should I respond to what I’m reading?”  After all, the way this is written, we are asking God to, “hear MY voice, protect MY life, and “hide ME.”  We need God to save us from a well prepared and well informed enemy.  That should not come as a surprise.  

Psalm 138:7 Though I walk amid trouble, You revive me. You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you will prosper and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Adonai’s servants—their vindication is from Me.” It is a declaration of Adonai.

The workers of iniquity are well equipped for the task.  The evil they “shoot” comes out of them and has the potential to pierce our hearts.  “But God!”  1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!  And finally, the enemy is not afraid, but he should be.  We have the “whole armor” of God as protection.  Receive this from Yeshua.  Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue     15 Sep 2026               4th of Tishrei, 5787              
De 32:7-12             Zec 2-3           2 Ch 26           Rev 10             (Ac 18)

Shalom,

Psalm 63:12 But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear by Him will boast, when the mouth speaking lies is shut.

“But”… We started verse 10 with a “but.”  Now in verse 12, we start with another “but.”  However; neither of those “but”s are in the Hebrew.  What is there is the conjunction “and,” so a better translation might be “and therefore.”  The Scriptures are telling a story of a series of events in which one event leads us to the next.  “This” happens “and” (consequently) “that” happens.

This leads us to rightly observe the “push/pull” taking place within Scripture.  There are those who are for God, and the opposing presence of those who are against God.  The opposition is pushing us away from God and the power of God is pulling us toward Him.

Push: Psalm 63:10 But those who seek my soul to destroy it will go down to the depths of the earth. 11 They will be gutted by the sword, and become a prey for jackals.

Pull: Psalm 63:12a But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear by Him will boast.
 
Although they (the opposition) may not know it yet (we do know this) , there is no contest.  The victory is already assured.

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!

We have all read it, believed what we have read, and have faith that God has prophesied the truth to us.  

Push: Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Pull: Revelation 22:16 I, Yeshua, have sent My angel to testify these things to you for My communities. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 The Ruach and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come—let the one who wishes freely take the water of life!

And (therefore, consequently), we have the prophesied result.  John 14:27a “Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you…”  Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been made righteous by trusting, we have shalom with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.  Yes, shalom to the people of God.  That is our inheritance in Messiah Yeshua.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon    14 Sep 2026               3rd of Tishrei, 5787  Fast of Gedaliah
De 32:1-6          Zec 1         2 Ch 25           Rev 9           (Ac 17)
Ex 32:11-14; 34:1-10; Isa 55:6-56:8 (afternoon)

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm 63:10 But those who seek my soul to destroy it will go down to the depths of the earth. 11 They will be gutted by the sword, and become a prey for jackals.

“But”… there is always a “but.”  Just when we are ready to step into our inheritance (the promised victory), invariably there is someone or something ready to oppose us.  David had his enemies, and so do we.  1Timothy 4:1  Now the Ruach clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, following deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.  “But God,” (There is that “but” again, and we should thank God for this one!)… Matthew 24:22  And unless those days were cut short, no one would be delivered. But for the sake of the chosen, those days will be cut short.

The pervasive message of all Scripture is His assurance that we should not be afraid of our enemies.  Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  In fact, God is preparing us, not to fight, but to stand firm in the day of battle.  Ephesians  6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.  

Remember “armor” is not a weapon, it is a defense.  God is going to do the fighting.  This prophesy was not given TO you, but it was given FOR you.  2Chronicles 20:17 “You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand and see the salvation of Adonai with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or be dismayed. Tomorrow go out to face them, for Adonai is with you.’”

Adonai is with us!  All we have left is to stand firm and receive it by faith.  This is the Spirit of God speaking to us all.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri       11 Sep 2026               29th of Elul, 5786 Erev Rosh Hashana
Ge 21:22-27         Hag 1-2           2 Ch 24           Rev 8              (Ac 16)

Shalom,

Psalm 63:8 For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. 9 My soul clings to You—Your right hand upholds me.
David can’t “turn it off.”  In the previous verse, he meditates all night.  What can’t David “turn off?”  His joy at hearing the voice of the Lord.  David didn’t turn it off, and neither should we.  God is always speaking… it is up to us to be listening (always).  News flash… I have help!  And so do you!  Psalm 54:6 Surely God is my helper. My Lord is the supporter of my soul.

Rabbi Trail:  The Hebrew is written to express a possessive form.  It connotes I “have” (or own) help.  That “help” is mine.  Now, through New Covenant faith, this helper has a name.  John 16:13 But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; but whatever He hears, He will tell you. And He will declare to you the things that are to come.  

You know, it has been said, “There is nothing ‘new’ in the New Testament.”  The Hebrew prophets all knew the promised Helper too.  Joel 3:1(2:28) “So it will be afterward, I will pour out My Ruach on all flesh: your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  

Yeshua calls this a huge advantage… John 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away! For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  Yeshua knows we can’t live our lives dedicated to Him without help, therefore; He has provided it.  End RT.

So, we hold fast (cling/cleave) to God, and nothing shall separate us, not even death.  Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

May we rise up, in the power of His might and receive the help available to us through the Holy Spirit.  Just as David did, only better, for he didn’t have the fullness of the Savior and the Cross.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu     10 Sep 2026               28th of Elul, 5786
Ge 21:18-21       Zep 3          2 Ch 23           Rev 7        (Ac 15:22-41)

Shalom,

Psalm 63:3 So, I looked for You in the Sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. 4 Since Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.

David looked for God in the Sanctuary.  Since we don’t have THE Sanctuary with us today, where will you look for God?  1Corinthians 3:!6 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim dwells among you?  These Psalms are poetic language filled with layer upon layer of meaning.  We will never exhaust the possibilities.  To do so would mean we have come to a full understanding of God (and His character).  That’s never going to happen, at least not on this side of eternity.

1Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Let’s return to our subject verses.  Verse 3 ends with that same combo we had at the end of Psalm 62, power (Oz) and glory (Chesed).  (Remember, the merciful One is mighty?)  Although God has all power, He has chosen to bless us with grace.  The Hebrew says, Your grace is better (literally, “more good”) than life.

Take a moment to appreciate God’s love for you.  Trials, yes!  Times of trouble, you bet!  Tests and temptations, of course!  Yet, through it all, we hold on to this promise.  Psalm 91:14 “Because he has devoted his love to Me, I will deliver him. I will set him securely on high, because he knows My Name. 15 When he calls on Me, I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, rescue him, and honor him.”

Is that it?  What is our hope beyond honor and rescue?  Psalm 91:16 “With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.”  That “satisfaction” (The Hebrew word is “Sava” [Shin-Bet-Ayin] meaning to be filled and fully satisfied.)  God is providing satisfaction, and at the same time, revealing His Yeshua (Salvation found through faith in the person of Yeshua).  This is “the bread of life.”

Therefore; we can’t help ourselves, we must shout His praises.  Look up and give Him praise (do it now).  Watch closely, immediately troubles shrink.  Psalm 121:1 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains—from where does my help come? 2 My help comes from Adonai, Maker of heaven and earth.  Shalom shalom.
 
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon    7 Sep 2026                 25th of Elul, 5786
Ge 21:5-8        Hab 1-2          2 Ch 20           Rev 4          (Ac 13:26-52)

Shalom,

Psalm 63:6 My soul is satisfied as with fat and oil, so my mouth praises You with joyful lips. 7 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You through the night watches.

David is using the language of a poet to express His desire for God, His presence, and His blessings.  Let’s appreciate what we are reading here.  David is hiding in the desert from an army that has orders from his 3rd oldest son, Absalom, to kill him.  He’s tired, cold, hungry and thirsty.  Yet, here he is “with joyful lips” offering praises to God, as he declares “my soul is satisfied!”  This is an amazing declaration, considering the circumstances.  David has developed a lifelong culture of singing praises to God without regard to his current circumstances.  Do you think there is a lesson for us right here?

2Samuel 22:7 “In my distress I called upon Adonai, yes, I called to my God. From His Temple He heard my voice, my cry came into His ears.”

But, David didn’t stop there, he encourages us to follow his example.  

1Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to Adonai, call upon His Name. Make His deeds known among the peoples. 9 Sing to Him! Sing praises to Him! Tell of all His wonderful acts. 10 Glory in His holy Name! Let the heart of those who seek Adonai rejoice. 11 Seek Adonai and His strength. Seek His face always.

If we wait for good times to bless God, we’re not living in faith.  Psalm 34:2  I will bless Adonai at all times. His praise is continually in my mouth. 3 My soul boasts in Adonai. The humble ones hear of it and rejoice. 4 Magnify Adonai with me and let us exalt His Name together.

Let’s join David and Paul as we live by faith and not by sight.  2Corinthians  5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed    9 Sep 2026                 27th of Elul, 5786
Ge 21:13-17       Zep 1-2           2 Ch 22           Rev 6        (Ac 15:1-21)

Shalom,

Psalm 63:5 So I will bless You as long as I live. In Your name I lift up my hands.

Let’s “unpack” this.  The first half of the verse says, “With my whole life, I will bless You.”  This “blessing” is “Ah’va’recha’cha.”  It is in first person incomplete (meaning not finished yet).  We translate that as “I will.”  How long will I bless God?  All my life, and I’ll never stop!  And what does it mean to “bless God?”  That’s a good question, since we are usually praying that He will bless us.

What can we give to the King, Who already has everything?  And what’s more, anything He does’t already have, He can create without breaking a sweat.  The answer to this question is found in a right understanding of the origin of the Hebrew word for “bless.”  The word is “Varech,” meaning “knee.”  Yes, the body part (joint) knee.  From this our Hebrew word “Baruch” means literally, “to bend the knee” and figuratively, “to submit.”  

Yeshua was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane moments before the greatest act of submission the world has ever seen, when He prayed these words… Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”  If Yeshua, Who is God, can submit, shouldn’t we follow His example?  Now let’s see what happened as a result of Yeshua’s submission.  Luke 22:43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.  

The key is our understanding of the meaning of the word, “Abba, Father.”  It means “decider.”  “Father knows best” is more than the name of a 1960s TV show.  It is the truth expressed in faith as we trust God to make the best decisions for us in every situation.  Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
 
The second part of the verse is, “In Your name I lift up my hands.”  

Rabbi Trail: There are several Hebrew words that translate as “hands.”  These are “my hands, “Ka’pai.”  This speaks of the palms of my hands.  A “Kaf” is a spoon, and “Kapit” is a “teaspoon.”  This could be where we get our English word “cup.” End RT.

We “lift our hands” in praise to God to whom we both give and receive blessing.  Nehemiah 8:6 Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, amen!” as they lifted up of their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped Adonai with their faces to the ground.  

In closing today, we are reminded… Isaiah 58:9a Then you will call, and Adonai will answer. You will cry and He will say, “Here I am.”  We bend the knee in submission and raise our hands in praise and thanksgiving.  John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue     8 Sep 2026                 26th of Elul, 5786
Ge 21:9-12             Hab 3              2 Ch 21           Rev 5              (Ac 14)

Shavuah Tov,

Yeshua taught His disciples to pray, Our Father in heaven, sanctify Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)
 
We often treat those words as warm-up praise, a way of entering God's presence before we get to the requests. But are they? They are far more than that.
 
They are an impassioned plea for the sanctifying of God's Name that will come when He reigns in glory upon the earth. This is the pivotal petition, the foundational one. Everything else in the prayer depends upon it and flows out of it.
 
To pray it as it was meant, let us consider where  and when Yeshua and His disciples lived.
 
The Jewish people were surrounded by heathen darkness, divided at home into rival sects, and cruelly oppressed by Rome. Israel was scattered among the nations and an object of scorn. They groaned beneath a heathen yoke.
 
And yet they believed. They believed that Adonai would restore Israel in the Messianic kingdom, and that in that kingdom His will would be done and His Name absolutely hallowed.
 
So when they prayed sanctify Your Name, what was the object of their petition? A restored people under a reigning God.
 
The Name signified God's presence, His dwelling with His people. It became a synonym for His person, His nature, His acts, and His reputation.
 
Unlike an idol, the Name cannot be seen. Yet it is something in which a person places his faith. (Joel 3:5)
 
And God's reputation is inextricably bound to His people's condition.
 
Prayer for the Name to be honored has always been connected to prayer for Israel. David prayed that way, as did Jeremiah, and Daniel, and the psalmists, all of them pleading for Israel's restoration for His Name's sake.
 
The nations who reject Israel's election, in doing so, mock the Name, and Adonai's answer to that mockery becomes the means of Israel's restoration: He vindicates His Name through Israel’s restoration.
 
Now, through the Messiah, the remnant of Israel and the remnant of the nations praise the Name together. (Romans 15:9-10) And one day all nations will honor it. (Revelation 15:4)
 
Meanwhile, apart from a remnant, Israel lies under a judicial blindness. That condition will endure until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25) In fact, even Israel’s watchmen are blind. (Isaiah 56:10)
 
So, who is left to keep watch? The united remnant of Israel and the nations, one body of two heritages. For Adonai has said that His House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:7) And for what shall they pray? The Sanctifying of His Name.
 
It is written that David would not offer Adonai what cost him nothing. (2 Samuel 24:24) My perspective is that neither shall Israel's blindness be removed except by costly intercession.
 
Adonai has set watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem who will never hold their peace. He charges them to take no rest for themselves, and to give Him no rest, until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
 
They join Paul in his agony, whose heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. (Romans 10:1) They pray for the Vindication of God’s Name.
 
So let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:6) And let us mean by that peace not merely the end of bloodshed, but salvation, justice, and the worship of God through Messiah Yeshua saturating the Jewish people.
 
The Name will not be fully sanctified on earth as it is in heaven until His Kingdom is established over Israel and the nations. May we, who have tasted that reign, pray for Israel's restoration. Paul says that will mean life from the dead. (Romans 11:15)
 
And will these prayers be answered?
 
They will. Yeshua will return, and the expectations of the prophets - the restoration of all things - will be fulfilled. (Acts 3:19-21)
 
The Name of Adonai will be sanctified in all the earth. His Kingdom will surely come.
 
Pray:
 
Our Father in heaven, for the sake of Your Name, restore the heart of Israel to Your Son and to Your purposes, that Your Name may be sanctified in all the earth.
 
Let Your Kingdom come.
 
Send Messiah Yeshua to reign from Jerusalem, that Your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
 
Amen.
 
Scriptures Referenced
 
But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you at a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to Adonai my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 50 shekels of silver. (2 Samuel 24:24)
 
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem — "May those who love you be at peace!" (Psalm 122:6)
 
... these I will bring to My holy mountain, and let them rejoice in My House of Prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar. For My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:7)
 
His watchmen are all blind. All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, lovers of slumber. (Isaiah 56:10)
 
On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set watchmen. All day and all night, they will never hold their peace. You who remind Adonai, take no rest for yourselves, and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
 
Then all who call on Adonai's Name will escape, for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be rescue, as Adonai has said, among the survivors whom Adonai is calling. (Joel 3:5)
 
Therefore, pray in this way: "Our Father in heaven, sanctified be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9-10)
 
Repent, therefore, and return, so your sins might be blotted out, so times of relief might come from the presence of Adonai and He might send Yeshua, the Messiah appointed for you. Heaven must receive Him, until the time of the restoration of all the things that God spoke about long ago through the mouth of His holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21)
 
Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. (Romans 10:1)
 
For if their rejection leads to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:15)
 
For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be ignorant of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own eyes, that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)
 
... and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy. As it is written, "For this reason I will give You praise among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name." And again it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people." (Romans 15:9-10)
 
Who shall not fear and glorify Your name, O Lord? For You alone are Holy. All the nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed! (Revelation 15:4)
 
Condensed from David Harwood's mid-1990s essay "The Pattern Prayer." Content and teaching by David Harwood; prose condensed with Claude (Anthropic) from his essay and edited by him. Scripture quotations are from the Tree of Life Version.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun      6 Sep 2026                 24th of Elul, 5786
Ge 21:1-4       Nah 3              2 Ch 19           Rev 3              (Ac 13:1-25)

Shabbat Shalom,

This week we have another double portion, Nitzavim (you are standing) and Vayelech (and he went). The names come from Deuteronomy 9(10) You are standing (nitzavim) today, all of you, before ADONAI your God…and Deuteronomy 31:1 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. To get the English name “and he went” for this parshah, we need to go back to the Hebrew of this verse. Vayelech Mosheh…which translates to “And he went, Moses.” Not the best English, but proper Hebrew.  
 
In Nitzavim everyone is called to enter into the covenant, future generations are bound to ADONAI’s commands. Exile is warned for disobedience but promises future restoration following repentance. Torah is not far away. There is a choice of life or death, and an urging to seek life through loving ADONAI and keeping his commands. In Vayelech Moses is speaking on his 120th birthday. He announces that Joshua will replace him. He calls Joshua and all Israel to be strong and courageous. A public reading of Torah is commanded to be conducted publicly every seventh year during Sukkot. The people are warned that they will stray from ADONAI.
 
From Nitzavim, Deuteronomy 31:2 one of the traditional Jewish birthday blessings is derived. Moses is speaking, I am 120 years old today. Then in Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was not dim nor his vigor gone. The birthday blessing is Ad me’ah v’esrim shana - May you live until 120 (like Moses, with strength, wisdom, and joy in your heart.) Not a bad blessing to wish for someone. But a lesson? Maybe not.
 
Deuteronomy 29:9(10) You are standing here, all of you, before ADONAI your God – the heads of your tribes, your elders, your officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, and the outsider within your camp…a lot of yous and yours in this passage. But note, in the Hebrew all of them are the plural form.
 
In verse 11(12) the Hebrew shifts to singular – Each of you is to cross over into the covenant of ADONAI your God that He is cutting with you today…
 
This reminds us of each persons’ individual responsibility to God’s covenant. No person is too insignificant. No one is given a free pass. Yes, God made his covenant with the whole nation, the entire body of believers. But the nation (body) is composed of individuals, and the preservation of the national covenant is dependent upon these individuals. 1 Corinthians 12 You are the body of Messiah, and members individually.
 
When we talk about experiencing a personal relationship with Yeshua, this is exactly what this is telling us about. Moses was telling the people and us today that a corporate covenant is not enough for salvation.
 
Yeshua picks up on this theme in John 14:6 Yeshua said to him, I am way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.
 
Without a personal relationship with Yeshua, we can’t even plead our case before God. We will be on our own.
 
In Matthew 7:23 we get an even scarier warning from Yeshua concerning people without a personal relationship with Him - Then I will declare to them: I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’
 
John explains lawlessness in 1 John 3:4 Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness – indeed, sin is lawlessness. And in verse 6, No one who abides in Him (Yeshua) keeps on sinning. John is reminding us that we cannot have a relationship with Yeshua and live a life of intentional sin.
 
Without a relationship with Yeshua, we have no advocate. No advocate, no Book of Life.
 
Revelations 20:14 If anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
 
There is one sure way to dodge the lake of fire.
 
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and Find me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
 
Acts 2:38 Repent, and let each of you be immersed in the name of Messiah Yeshua for the removal of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh.
 
Shabbat Shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat      5 Sep 2026                23rd of Elul, 5786
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech  Leil Selichot
De 31:20-30              Isa 61:10-63:9  

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm 63:1 A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 2 O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You. My flesh longs for You in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

For the third Psalm in a row (61,62,63) David is a king who is weary and seeking shelter.  David’s life was filled with trauma, some of it he produced, but most of it was put upon him by others.  The trauma he is addressing in these three Psalms is when his son, Absalom, led a rebellion to usurp his father’s throne and take over the kingdom.  It almost worked,… but God.

The story is told in Scripture, 2Samuel 13-19.  It is a long story which ends with David grieving over his son’s death (that he tried to prevent).  As we begin Psalm 63, David is focused intently upon God… “earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You. My flesh longs for You.”  David is “seeking” God spiritually, “thirsting” for God in his soul, and “longing” for God in his flesh.  Sounds like he is pursuing God, body soul and spirit.  David is “all in” and we should be too.

This makes me think of one of my favorite Scriptures.  Psalm 84:2 How lovely are Your tabernacles, Adonai-Tzva’ot! 3 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of Adonai. My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 4b …Adonai-Tzva’ot—my King and my God!

What does it mean that all this is taking place in a desert, described as, Psalm 63:2b …a dry and weary land, where there is no water?  Water is necessary for (almost all) life.  No water, (almost) no life.  Rabbi’s Note: For centuries it was believed that water was necessary to sustain life.  The latest research indicates this may not be altogether true, yet, at the same time, the chemical reactions required for life are certainly easier in the presence of water.  End RN.  

Not only do we need water to live, Yeshua promises us an abundance… John 7:38 “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, ‘out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”  Moreover, the greater reality of our life is our life in the spirit.  John 7:39 Now He said this about the Ruach, whom those who trusted in Him were going to receive; for the Ruach was not yet given, since Yeshua was not yet glorified.

Call out to God in agreement with David, “We need You, Lord!”  So, we close with this… Isaiah 55:6 Seek Adonai while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri       4 Sep 2026                 22nd of Elul, 5786
De 31:14-19         Nah 1-2          2 Ch 18           Rev 2:18-29   (Ac 12)

Shalom,

Psalm 62:12 Once God has spoken, twice I have heard this: might belongs to God. 13 Also Yours, O Lord, is lovingkindness. For You reward a man for his work.

Spectacular revelation!  That’s what we have here.  David is saying, using his poetic voice, God spoke once, but I heard Him say two things.  God is so powerful He spoke the world into existence.  The opposer might think there is a power struggle between good and evil, but God will always have the last word.  

As it was in the beginning… John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.… so it shall be in the end…. Revelation 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are too, and they shall be tortured day and night forever and ever.  That’s the fate of the unholy trinity.  They will be subject to God’s might because they refused His grace.

First, we hear Elohim saying “Ki Oz Elohim” meaning “for Elohim is mighty.”  “Oz” (Ayin-Zayin) is Hebrew (according to Strong’s) for “bold(ness), loud, might, power, strength, and strong.  All power belongs to God.  1Chronicles 29:11 Yours, Adonai, is the greatness, the power and the splendor, and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything in heaven and earth. Yours is the kingdom, Adonai and You are exalted above all.  

Rabbi’s Note: This verse is the traditional liturgical song that is sung as we process the Torah through the congregation before we read from it.  End RN.

Then, in the last verse of Psalm 62, we hear the second thing that God is saying, that this same God, Who has all power, is gracious and filled with lovingkindness (Chesed).  This is God declaring His love for you.  He does this through David and the heir of David’s throne, Yeshua (and the blessing extends to His followers).  Psalm 89:34 But I will not withdraw My lovingkindness (Chesed) from him, nor will I betray My faithfulness.  God’s “faithfulness” (Emunah) is steadfast truth.  Numbers 23:19 God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind!

Rabbi Trail: These last two verses of Psalm 62 confirm a dream I had about 40 years ago.  It is very rare to remember a dream from so long ago.   In that dream, I was in heaven hearing the angels sing a song (I still remember the tune) to God.  The lyrics were only two Hebrew words repeated continuously, “HaRachamon Gibor.”  Even though I was a believer at the time, I didn’t know their meaning, so I called a non-believing rabbi, and asked him for the interpretation.  He told me, “The Merciful One is Mighty.”  This is another way of saying the two things David heard when God spoke once, God is mighty, and at the same time, God is merciful. End RT.

Shalom shalom.

This Psalm, like about hal
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu     3 Sep 2026                 21st of Elul, 5786      
De 31:7-13         Mic 7       2 Ch 17           Rev 2:1-17     (Ac 11)  

Shalom,

Psalm 62:11 Do not trust in extortion, and do not put vain hope in plunder. Though these things increase riches, do not set your heart on them.


This Psalm, like about half of all the Psalms, is labeled, “A Psalm of David.”   Does that mean David wrote it, as many suppose, or that David sang it, another possibility, or that it was both written and performed by others for the benefit of David, probably a minority opinion?  Whether David wrote this himself, or someone else wrote it for his benefit, David is central to the message of the Psalm attributed in some way to him.

Who needs this message more than the king?  “Don’t set your heart on wealth!”  I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor (and I’ve decided I like rich better.  Today, I’m rich by most worldly standards, and semi-rich by others.  My experience leads me to this conclusion, “Wealth lulls you into a love affair with nothing.”  My rabbi, Dan Juster, likes to say, “What do we need in this life, but a lounge chair and a lamp?”

Some of the most joy filled and satisfied people I’ve ever met have had little wealth, or even none.  The focus here is not on what you have, or don’t have, but on where your heart is.  Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The very next verse gives us our focus, and it is where we are going to end for today.  Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.”  Keep your eyes on God.  We become what we behold.  Continually behold the presence of God and let Him transform your life.  In other words, trust in Him, and He will put everything else in order.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed    2 Sep 2026                 20th of Elul, 5786
De 30:15-31:6            Mic 6               2 Ch 16           Rev 1              (Ac 10)

Shalom,

Psalm 62:10 Sons of Adam are a vapor, sons of man are an illusion. In balanced scales they go up—altogether they are less than a breath.

Psalm 62 is a sister Psalm to Psalm 39.  For instance, Psalm 39:7 Everyone goes about as a mere phantom. Surely they are making an uproar in vain, heaping up stuff—yet not knowing who will gather it.  As the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.”  So then, which one are you, a phantom, a vapor, or an illusion?  How about “None of the above.”  Only when our identity is founded in Messiah Yeshua, can we stand and say with confidence, “I am a child of God.”  

1John 3:1 See how glorious a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children—and so we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 2 Loved ones, now we are God’s children; and it has not yet been revealed what we will be. But we do know that when it’s revealed, we shall be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

The evening news is filled with people who have lost everything due to fire, flood, mudslide, storm, earthquake, tornado or any combination of natural disasters.  The promise from Scripture is that eventually everything will burn.  

2Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything done on it shall be exposed.

Before you get discouraged and throw in the towel, Peter explains why he just said that… 2Peter 3:11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Live your lives in holiness and godliness.  God’s kingdom is made of love.  1John 4:8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Anything that is not compatible with God’s love is from the enemy.  Love God and love each other, these are the two great commandments.  Let’s invest our lives in the substance of God’s kingdom.  This leads us to the warning in our next verse, that we should not be seduced by the attractions of this world.  We’ll get to that tomorrow.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue     1 Sep 2026                 19th of Elul, 5786
De 30:7-14       Mic 5          2 Ch 15           Heb 13            (Ac 9)  

Shalom,

Psalm 62:9 Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart in His presence. God is our refuge. Selah

This verse is made up of three thoughts.  Let’s look closely at all three.  First, “Trust in Him at all times, you people.”  Grammatically, “you people” could belong to this first thought, or the next.  Perhaps it is purposefully ambiguous.  The “Etnachta” (the cantorial mark that divides the parts of almost every Hebrew Scripture) doesn’t appear until the end of the second thought.  

“Trust,” what is trust?  It means we can rely on God to always speak the truth.  Yeshua is the reality of all things.  That means God is our reality.  Everyone or everything else, that is manufacturing an alternative reality is a liar.  

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks lies he is just being himself—for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Now, let’s review… we are instructed here to trust, or count on, God always.  That’s wisdom, because God is reliable.  God has never been late, distracted, or in any way missing from our point of need.  Psalm 145:3 Great is Adonai, and greatly to be praised—His greatness is unsearchable.

Next, we are told to “Pour out your heart in His presence.”  The Hebrew word for “pour” is “Shafakh”(Shin-Pey-Kaf Sofit,” and carries the same meaning we have for “pour out” in English.  When we “pour out” our hearts to God, He responds as a loving Father.  Galatians 4:6 Now because you are sons, God sent the Ruach of His Son into our hearts, who cries out, “Abba! Father!  He is ready to heal, answer, bind up, restore, forgive, and just plain love us through every trial.  1John 4:16 So we have come to know and trust in the love that God has for us. God is love. Now whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Finally, we are reminded, “God is our refuge.”  Psalm 46:2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  The Israelis have a slang phrase they use, which is borrowed from English, “Veetamin P.”  The “P” stands for protection.  In Hebrew it is “Protec’sia,” again borrowed from English.  We count on God to be our refuge in the storm.  Does that mean we won’t get rained on?  Not at all, but there is a promise.  Romans 8:28 Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.

Go forth in the love of God and the promise of His victory.  Go read the end of the Bible.  Take heart, “Yiyeh Baseder” meaning (everything) will be in order.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon    31-Aug 2026              18th of Elul, 5786
De 30:1-6             Mic 3-4           2 Ch 14           Heb 12            (Ac 8)

Shalom,

In Philemon 24 he is numbered with Paul's apostolic fellow workers.

We next read of him in Colossians 4:14. There, Paul mentions six co-laborers, one after the other. Five of them he describes warmly, and then he mentions — almost as an afterthought — Demas.  

Why?

I read this as the cooling of a relationship.

Then comes the dread description for which he is most remembered. For Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica (2 Timothy 4:10). Paul is facing a death sentence, and a man upon whom he relied abandoned him.

Demas did not drift away in an easier day. He coldly left when Paul needed him most. I think it broke Paul's heart.

What caused Demas to desert? Paul wrote that he loved this present age. I've read that Demas had been living a double life, that he flattered Paul and nobody knew that he was a hypocrite. I've read that Demas was filled with sensual lusts and the love of money.

But what did Paul write?

This: Demas loved this present age, this life. We're warned about this illicit agape in John's litany of lusts, and the first lust John listed was the lust of the flesh (1 John 2:15-16).

I think the primal manifestation of the lust of the flesh is self-preservation. Before we want pleasure, or possessions, or popularity, we want to live. Even mosquitos share that instinct.


Wanting to live is not a sin. Loving this age more than longing for the age-to-come? Let's simply say that although it is a common temptation, we're called to be faithful to the point of death. Demas wasn't.

We know how Demas ended up, but how did he end up there? What was he like?

First of all, he was devoted to Yeshua and well thought of. Paul wouldn't have chosen him if he didn't have a good reputation. Paul praised him. He called him a synergos, a co-worker, the same word Paul gave Timothy and Titus.

In Colossians and Philemon, we find that he had steadfastly stood with Paul when the Apostle was imprisoned. Demas was no stranger to hardship, and he was in committed fellowship with men who had suffered.

And this man deserted Paul. Let's take to heart this exhortation. Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

So, what happened?

Personally, I think that Demas was offended and that the offense, having grown, bore poisonous fruit. Was he bitter? Did that bitterness wear him down so that in a time of intense stress he coldly decided to desert Paul?

The Scriptures teach:

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. (Hebrews 12:15)

In the Parable of the Sower Yeshua taught that there is a person who, when trouble or persecution comes, immediately falls away (Matthew 13:21). "Falls away" in Greek is skandalizetai. As a result, I think, of the cooling of their relationship, as a result of unresolved offenses, Demas calculated the cost and came to this conclusion: 

Die for this man? I don't think so.

Tradition has been harsh. Legend says he became a priest in an idol's temple. Yet Paul did not call him an apostate. Perhaps a more likely portrayal is that he was a wounded man who could not face execution for the sake of loyalty to Paul.

Friends, this is a disconcerting portrait. After all, an offended man may be one of us. He might be us.

We've read these words. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23). Let's take them to heart.

If there is an offense, seek to clear it up. Keep short accounts. Resolve things while they're small. Let's not give the devil any ground, any topos, among us (Ephesians 4:26-27). Unlike Demas, we want to finish well.

Content and teaching by David Harwood; prose drafted with Claude (Anthropic) from his sermon outline and edited by him. Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun      30-Aug 2026              17th of Elul, 5786
De 29:10-29 [9-28]   Mic 1-2     2 Ch 13         Heb 11:20-40 (Ac 7:30-60)  

Shabbat Shalom,

This week’s Parshah is titled Ki Tavo. The name come from Deuteronomy 26:1 Now when you enter (ki tavo) the land that ADONAI your God is giving you…
 
There are commands concerning first fruits, tithes to support the Levites and the less privileged, reaffirming the covenant, committing to walk in ADONAI’s ways, setting up stones after crossing the Jordan River bearing Torah, the blessing and curses to be spoken at Mounts Gerizim and Ebal, and a reminder that it was ADONAI who sustained them for forty years in the wilderness.
 
Deuteronomy 28 contains blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. There is quite a difference between the number of verses devoted to blessings and those for the curses. Just 14 verses for blessings, yet there are 54 verses for curses.
 
Why the disparity? When you are on the right path adjustments aren’t needed. Verses 28:9 and 14 give us the criteria for blessing… “if you keep the mitzvot of ADONAI your God,” and “do not turn aside from any of the commands I am giving you today.”
 
The rest of Chapter 28 is about these curses for disobedience. Too many people view the curses as punishment from an angry God.  Punishment is the imposition of a restriction, financial penalty, form of suffering, or other undesired consequence for an offence. Yet God’s actions are not merely punishment, they are discipline. You may be thinking “What’s the difference?” Discipline, punishment, so what? Both are unpleasant actions taken against someone for transgressing something. Here’s what discipline is, training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, with punishment or other undesired consequences for those failing to comply.
 
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the one you discipline, ADONAI, and teach him from your Torah.
 
The curses start in Verse 15 with “If you do not listen to the voice of ADONAI your God,” followed by a lengthy list of curses.
 
Verse 45 gives a hint of turning back to the LORD. Although it is not explicitly stated, the inference is “if you still persist in sinning,” “All these curses will come upon you…because you did not listen to the voice of ADONAI your God.”
 
Verse 58 hints at another opportunity to repent “if you do not take care to do all the words of this Torah.”
 
God isn’t just punishing in the curses. He is disciplining, all the while offering a way out of being disciplined by repenting and returning to Torah.
 
Many Christians today will assert, “For sure I repented. I said the sinner’s prayer and got baptized, so I am good to go.” In Yeshua’s time, and even today, many Jews believe that they are good to go as well because of the promises made to the patriarchs.
 
Why then did Yeshua go throughout the land proclaiming (Matthew 4:17) “Turn away (repent) from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near” or (Mark 1:15) “The kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe in the Good News!” Yeshua was mostly talking to Jews. If their assurances were through the promises made to the patriarchs, Yeshua had no need to talk to the Jews.
 
Yeshua wasn’t the first to call folks to repentance. The Prophets also called for repentance:
 
Isaiah 1:16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Put away your evil deeds…Cease to do evil. Learn to do good.
 
Jeremiah 3:12-13 Return backsliding Israel, says ADONAI…Acknowledge your iniquity. For you sinned against ADONAI.
 
Ezekiel 18:30 Return and turn away from your transgressions.
 
In many churches at the end of the message there is an altar call. This recognizes those who have asked Yeshua into their lives and have confessed that they are a sinner. Good start, confessing that you are a sinner…but what exactly are your sins? Sure, you can come up with a few, maybe even a few humdingers. But can you confidently identify all your sins?
 
Also, confessing sins is only part of the equation. Don’t forget that repentance (shuv in Hebrew) means to turn about, to stop doing bad and start doing good.
 
So where do we find what God considers good or bad? Torah. Yep, that part of the Bible that many Christians label as irrelevant, outdated, or cancelled.
 
Matthew 5:18 (Yeshua is speaking) Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif will ever pass away from the Torah…The earth still appears to he here, so perhaps it hasn’t quite passed away yet.
 
Paul says in Romans 7:7 I would not have known sin except through the Torah. Paul is telling us that Torah informs us how to identify sin.
 
We are called to be set apart – to actively repent.
 
Titus 1:14 He gave himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people zealous for good deeds.
 
Let’s give John the last word:
 
1John 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
 
1John 2:3-6 We know that we have come to know Him by this – if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God is truly made perfect. We know that we are in Him by this – whoever claims to abide in Him must walk just as He walked.
 
Shabbat Shalom

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat29-Aug 2026 16th of Elul, 5786 Parashat Ki Tavo
De 29:2-9[1-8]Isa 60Ro 8:31-39

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm 62:8 On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God.

Let’s add the Hebrew… Psalm 62:8 On (Al) God (Elohim), my salvation (Yishi) and my glory (U’K’vodi) is the rock of my strength (Tzur-Uzi). My refuge (Mach’si) is in God (Bay’lohim).  Let’s start with the first word, “Al” (Ayin-Lamed).  This is the second part of Israel’s national airline “El-Al” meaning “God is onboard.”  Significantly, while “Al” routinely means “on,” as we have just seen from the previous example, that’s not the only interpretation.  

Special Note: When it comes to translations of Hebrew prepositions, many are interchangeable.  To tell the difference, one would have to be a student of Hebrew grammar and syntax, which is above my pay grade.  “Al” appears almost 6,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures.    End SN.  

“Al” can also mean, (according to Strong’s), “above, about, over, according to, after, or even against,” among many other possibilities.  Here, in our subject verse, I might like the translation “concerning,” as in “concerning God.”  The poet is saying… “Let me tell you, concerning my God.  I really can’t say enough about Him, but if I have to use just a few words, here goes.  He is these five things to me: my salvation my glory, my rock, my strength, and my refuge. He is all that and more”

David is consistent.  He had the same “problem” as he turned the kingdom over to his son, Solomon.  1Chronicles 29:10 David blessed Adonai before the whole congregation saying, “Blessed are You, Adonai, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity! 11 Yours, Adonai, is the greatness, the power and the splendor, and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything in heaven and earth. Yours is the kingdom, Adonai and You are exalted above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You. You rule over everything. In Your hand is power and might, in Your hand, to magnify and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise Your glorious Name.    

We too must fall all over ourselves in our vein attempt to express our thanksgiving toward God for all He has done.  Psalm 147:5  Great is our Lord and mighty in power—His understanding is infinite!  Or, as Buzz Lightyear says, “To infinity and beyond.”  That’s how much we love God.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri28-Aug 202615th of Elul, 5786
De 28:7-29:1[28:69]Ob 12 Ch 12Heb 11:1-19  (Ac 7:1-29)