Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, April 4, 2020
Shabbat Shalom *|FNAME|*,
Special Announcement: The Shomair Yisrael Synagogue building will be locked closed this Shabbat as we honor the government decree to be safe at home. Please join Rabbi Michael online Saturday at 10:30am for prayer, worship and teaching. Facebook search “Shomair Yisrael Knoxville.” For tithes and offerings please visit syknox.org. End SA.
Today is Wedding Day… well, it was supposed to be. Jan and I were watching the news 12 days ago, on Monday, March 23rd, when we decided to pull the plug on “Wedding Day” and elope.
Like I said, we were watching the news reports and praying to discern the times and seasons, when we felt like there was no point in waiting. We became convinced that there would be a stay at home order by April 4th which would seriously compromise our wedding plans, but God’s plan is never compromised. So we decided to get married later that same day.
There are so many wonderful testimonies. Here is just one great one. Even the wedding dress was ready that day (a week early) and the shop, which was closed, miraculously opened exactly 2 hours before the wedding, so the dress could be picked up. Now March 23rd is our anniversary. Best decision ever! Haven’t watched yet? Here is the link to the ceremony performed by Keith Henschen. https://www.facebook.com/watchparty/206207260641612/?entry_source=USER_TIMELINE
Psalm 91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look on with your eyes and see the wicked paid back.
“It will not come near you.” That’s God’s promise. But how can God make that promise? For those who have “died to self,” you are not you. The scriptural proof for this is actually the last part of one verse and the first part of the next. Galatians 2:19b I have been crucified with Messiah; 20a and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me.
How could anything be simpler? If you’re already dead, then how can you be harmed further? 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility , and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruptibility and this mortal will have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
Death no longer has control over us who have died to self and live in Messiah Yeshua. Philippians 1:20 My eager expectation and hope is that in no way will I be put to shame, but that with complete boldness Messiah will even now, as always, be exalted in my body—whether through life or through death. 21 For to me, to live is Messiah and to die is gain.
Again, we find protection by turning into God. Proverbs 18:10 The Name of Adonai is a strong tower. The righteous one runs into it and is set safely up high. Enjoy the ride and stay thirsty (for Him) my friends.