Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, August 12, 2022
(Early) Shabbat Shalom *|FNAME|*,

The Upper Room Discourse (part 9 of ???)

John 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”

These are words of consolation from Yeshua, and they continue well into the 15th chapter of John.  We have just entered 7 weeks of consolation following Tisha B’Av.  Tisha B’Av (the 9th of the Hebrew month Av) is recognized as the day both (the first, Solomon’s, and the second, Herod’s) temples were destroyed.

There is a three weeks season of heightened demonic activity that precedes Tisha B’Av called the Season of the Basilisk, starting on 17 Tammuz.  Bob Jones wrote a pamphlet about it.  https://www.amazon.com/Season-Basilisk-3-Weeks-Straits-ebook/dp/B06XPLSBQ5 .  It ended last Saturday night.  For those of you who are spiritually sensitive, you may have noticed the difference.

We need to also be aware of Yeshua’s admonition, “Do not let your heart be troubled.”  For all of us, we are not called to fear demonic spiritual activity.  Rather, we only need to be aware that it exists and place our trust in Yeshua.  To “trust” sounds simple, and it is, but it isn’t easy.

Yeshua’s call to trust in God (and by inclusion, Himself) is confirmed by a huge number of Scriptures (especially the Psalms).  Hebrews 11 is nicknamed the “the faith chapter.”  You might expect to find this… Hebrews 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Before I came to know Yeshua as my Lord and Savior, I was seeking “shalom,” but unable to find it.  Of course, I could put my fingers in my ears, shout “la,la,la,la” and close my eyes, pretending to be somewhere else, but when I stopped pretending, I was right back where I was.  Now that I know Him, I have an anchor.  He is my strong tower… Proverbs 18:10 The Name of Adonai is a strong tower. The righteous one runs into it and is set safely up high.

Remember from yesterday, Peter had just received a very disturbing prophesy from Yeshua.  John 13:38b …“before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!”  Then Yeshua tells him (and all the others who were listening, including you and me) John 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”

To trust in God, means to keep Him on the throne.  This is faith.  When we fear, we are putting what we fear on the throne.  There is one other option I should mention, it is possible for us to put our fleshly desires on the throne.  Earlier, I said, “It isn’t easy.”  We, ourselves, can complicate things by being arrogant.  We subconsciously want to deny the power of God and trust in our own abilities and strengths.  That sounds too much like pride.

You might say, “When you put it that way, Rabbi, of course that would be a mistake.”  So here is our take-away today… Trust in God, keep Him on the throne and enjoy the fruit of the spirit, including peace.  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. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Adonai and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 12-Aug-2022 15th of Av, 5782 Tu B’Av
De 5:19-6:3 Eze 39 1 Ch 13 (Jn 5) 1 Tim 6

Week 33
Memory Verse: Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—and yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.

161   8/8        Monday:       Luke 9:10-62
162   8/9        Tuesday:      Mark 9-10
163   8/10      Wednesday: Luke 12
164   8/11      Thursday:     John 3-4
165   8/12      Friday:       Luke 14