Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, April 10, 2020
(Early) Shabbat Shalom and Chag Same’ach (Happy Holiday),
“Yiyeh BaSeder” (literally, it will be in order – idiomatically, everything will be fine) is how Israelis comfort themselves in times of trouble. And everyone knows in the last 100 years there have been plenty of times Israelis have been under the very same type of stress that people are experiencing around the world today.
Americans suffered through two world wars in the last century without having to practice the drastic (life changing) measures put in place over the last month. I’m not saying that these “social distancing” measures are not necessary. I’m simply observing that they are dramatic change. And (as I’ve previously written) change is always more or less difficult.
What makes change “more or less” difficult is how we respond. We’ve got to stay adaptable (changeable), otherwise when change tries to bend us, we’ll break. We’ve got to keep hope (remain hopeful) for a better future. If we lose that, we fall into despair. And above all, we must keep the faith. We must remember that God is on the throne. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Prayer request: Please join me in prayer for both Jim Myers and Landra Kerekes who are mentioned here by permission. They are beloved people who are part of our Shomair community. Coincidentally, the two of them are currently going through multiple rounds of chemo therapy. Please pray that they will tolerate the strong chemicals and that the Lord will mitigate the side effects. More than that, pray that a complete and total healing will come upon them from God’s throne of grace. We pray Psalm 91:15 blessings on Jim and Landra.
Psalm 91:15 When he calls on Me, I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, rescue him, and honor him.
As one, we call upon You, Lord, do this for Jim and Landra. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
And may this same blessing come upon each of us with power from on high. Who hasn’t been in trouble? Who hasn’t been in need of rescue? We call upon You, Lord. And we expect you to answer, as You promised. We stand on Your word today. We call out. You answer, and give us honor from Your Holy Temple deep within our hearts. We receive Your blessing in Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Week 15
Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said: “Does Adonai delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Adonai? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay heed than the fat of rams.
71 4/6 Monday: 1 Samuel 1-2
72 4/7 Tuesday: 1 Samuel 3;8
73 4/8 Wednesday: 1 Samuel 9-10 Erev Pesach
74 4/9 Thursday: 1 Samuel 13-14
* 75 4/10 Friday: 1 Samuel 15-16
Question of the day: What is the word for the day?
Answer: The first word of 1 Samuel 15:16 is our “word for today.”
1 Samuel 15:16a “Stop!” Why is that our word for today? The Lord is speaking to His people. And the message from His throne is this one word, “Stop.” Perhaps a better translation would be “cease and desist.”
All I’m asking is that we examine ourselves and our foci. Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Adonai, searching all his inmost being.
Let’s ask ourselves…
Do I need to stop what I’m doing and thinking (is it against God)?
Do I need to stop what I’m saying and believing (is it lies)?
Am I involved in destroying the house of faith (see Rabbi Trail)?
Rabbi Trail: I heard of a ministry that will send you a mezuzah to protect your home from the plague if you will send them $100. The mezuzah will not protect you, only God can do that. And God is available to us through prayer, not by putting a $100 check in the mail. May God judge such a “ministry.” End RT.
God is building a house of faith. This raises the question, “Are we building with God, or are we building with God’s adversaries?” These are the only two options. Everyone not building with God is, by default, building with His adversaries. If we keep the faith, not only are we building with God, but He, Himself, is building us up in Him.
Hebrews 3:6 But Messiah, as Son, is over God’s house—and we are His house, if we hold firm to our boldness and what we are proud to hope.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim dwells among you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Stay safe (under the shelter of His wings).