Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, June 4, 2020
Shalom,
Ever notice how many distractions occur immediately before and during prayer time? It seems like the whole world is conspiring to keep us from the presence of God, and it is. Satan is the “prince” of this world. But God’s child can conquer everything (including the “prince” of this world) by prayer.
Ephesians 6 is the armor of God chapter. After learning about each piece of the armor, the Bible gives us this instruction on how to use it. Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Ruach on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim. Is there any wonder then, that Satan uses every means of deception to take that weapon of prayer from the believer?
The verse just quoted above said, “Keep alert with perseverance.” It even tells us why; on behalf of all the kedoshim (saints). We all have a calling to intercede for each other through prayer. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
After walking with the Lord for 38 years and pastoring for the last 23 years, I can tell you the advice never changes. “Well, we could always pray.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray constantly, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua. These Scriptures seem remarkably consistent. Romans 12:11 Do not be lagging in zeal; be fervent in spirit. Keep serving the Lord, 12 rejoicing in hope, enduring in distress, persisting in prayer.
We are all in distress these days. There is the threat of COVID-19, the economic impact of it, other threats of famine and civil unrest. When the Scriptures say, “Do not be lagging in zeal,” it means “zeal for God.” So, let me ask, where is your zeal today? Is it in tweets and texts? Is it in news reports from various media? Is our zeal in the latest quote from an elected official? Let’s place our zeal on the promises of God (the anchor of our faith). As the Scripture says, “Rejoicing in hope.” And the point of this RR is to take a Biblical worldview. See all the issues of this world through a Biblical lens, “Persisting in prayer.”
Rabbi Trail: I remember the commercial for V8 vegetable juice. People would hit themselves in the head and say, “Uh, I could’ve had a V8.” We’re just like that, except in our case we tap ourselves in the head and say, “Uh, I could’ve prayed.” By the power of the Spirit of God we will get better at it. End RT.
Week 23
Memory Verse: Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities. The chastisement for our shalom was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 6 We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us turned to his own way. So Adonai has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
111 6/1 Monday: Isaiah 6; 9
112 6/2 Tuesday: Isaiah 44-45
113 6/3 Wednesday: Isaiah 52-53
* 114 6/4 Thursday: Isaiah 65-66
115 6/5 Friday: Micah 1; 4:6-13; 5
Question of the day: Who are these people?
Answer: Isaiah describes them as rebellious people who have these characteristics: Isaiah 65:2b (These are rebellious people) who walk in a way that is not good, following their own thoughts. 3a These people provoke Me continually to My face.
Then Isaiah describes their actions. Isaiah 65:3b sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on bricks, 4 sitting among graves, spending the night in cave-tombs; eating swine’s flesh, and the broth of detestable things is in their pots, 5 who say, ‘Keep to yourself, don’t come to me, for I am holier than you!’
The temptation is to say, “So what? That has nothing to do with me.” But, that’s just another way of saying “Don’t come to me, for I am holier than you!” We must all admit, “There but for the grace of God go I.” There are just a few choices in life that will make all the difference. The big choice is to follow Yeshua.
We can only properly consider ourselves as one of His followers if we obey His commands (so much for the hyper-grace movement). The promises of God are very peculiar. They only have power in the degree to which we are submitted to them. Grace empowers us to follow God (Romans 8:4). We cannot quote the Bible with power if we are not submitted to it.
There is a promised season of blessing for the people of God. Isaiah 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating. For behold, I am creating Jerusalem for rejoicing, and her people for joy. 19 Then I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in My people. No longer will the voice of weeping or the voice of crying be heard in her.
There will come a day (as promised) when the lamb will lie down with the lion. Today, if the lamb lies down with the lion, the lamb will soon be in the lion. But there is another day coming. The day of the Lord will be a blessing to some and calamity to others. Follow God and receive your blessing.