“Then you will delight yourself in Adonai, and He will give you your heart’s desire.  Commit your way to Adonai; trust in Him and He will act.” Psalm 37:4-6

There are two verbs here that stuck out to me: give and act.  They have something in common.  Neither have anything to do with me!  My usual thought is to ask God, pray about something, and then do something, maybe “helping” it get going.  I give the situation to God, and then I act, assuming that I’m doing what He wants me to do.  But these verses are pretty clear.  HE gives and HE acts.  All the action that involves doing is done by Adonai, not me.

So what am I supposed to do?  Sit there?  Well, yes, sort of.  I have to delight in Him (trust, settle in the place He puts me, and feed on His faithfulness), and I have to commit my way to Him.  I have to believe and trust.  Trust is inaction in action.  I can believe and then do nothing about it, acting contrary to my “beliefs,” but trust implies that I act on my trust (or in this case, not acting, but rather waiting an allowing Him to act, which I believe will be a good thing because I delight in Him and He loves me).

Once again, my actions are unnecessary.  God does the acting.  God does the giving.  I don’ t need to “help” Him.  I just have to release control, let it go, and find joy in the One who loves me with a passion that is unfathomable!  And that is amazing!

“Trust in Adonai, and do good; settle in the land, and feed on faithfulness.  Then you will delight yourself in Adonai, and he will give you your heart’s desire.” Psalm 37: 3-4

The first time I heard this verse, it didn’t have the “then” in it.  It just said to delight myself in Adonai. Sounds good!  Let’s go!  But, wait…  what does it mean to delight myself in someone or something, especially in God?!  Then I realized there was a missing word.  The statement I had heard so often was part of an if-then cause and effect chain!  It tells me how to delight in Adonai!  IF I trust in Him and do good, IF I settle in the land (the promised land… the place He plants me), IF I feed on faithfulness, THEN I will delight myself in Adonai.  It’s about trusting, settling (which implies that I’m being still, staying where He puts me, and working in the place and on the tasks He gives me), and feeding on faithfulness (which sounds like I’m surviving and growing by relying on and remembering His faithfulness… which, in turn, should grow faithfulness in me).  So, it’s not just a matter of *poof* delighting.  There are some things that I do that create delight.  And that delight has its own reward, that He gives me the desires on my heart (which, incidentally, if I’m doing what I’m supposed to, will line up with God’s purposes for me).  That’s pretty awesome!

Becoming A Vessel Of Honor*

I call Him a liar when I don’t act on the truth that He states.  For example, if He says He forgives us, and then we act like we’re still under condemnation, then we call Him a liar.  More challenging, if He says that He gives us authority and armor so that we can stand against the attacks of the enemy, and we don’t use it or we question if it works, then we call Him a liar.  I struggle with this a lot.  I wonder if He delivers me when He says He does, I wonder if He will provide when He promises He will, I wonder all kinds of things even though they’re things He promises.

So do I believe Him?  If I say I believe Him, do I act as though I believe Him?  Do I trust His word and live out my redemption, my deliverance, my provision?

Ouch.

What about you?

Exodus 16:3

The people of Isra’el said to [Moshe and Aharon], “We wish ADONAI had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt!  There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted.  But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!”

Before we get to the main point, let’s put this verse into context.  God had just finished defeating the gods of Egypt, had lead His people out with all the gold and silver of the Egyptians, and had opened the Red Sea for the people of Isra’el to walk through (and had washed away the Egyptian armies when the sea closed back again).  And He had just provided water for them to drink by having Moshe throw a piece of wood into the bitter water, turning it sweet, and then leading them to a beautiful oasis with 12 springs and 70 palm trees.

Reading this, it seems incredible and ridiculous that the people of Isra’el would so quickly forget all the amazing things that God had done in order to get them to this point!  But, isn’t that what we do?  We forget.  We forget the ways that God has provided for us in the past.  We forget the ways He has rescued us from sticky situations. We forget the miracles that He has worked in our lives.  We just forget.  We aren’t all that different from these people.

I think this story in the Bible is there to remind us that God does provide.  It’s easy to think, “Man!  These people were ridiculous!  They kept doubting and testing God!”  But, that’s missing the point. The story isn’t there to make us look down on the people of Isra’el.  It’s there to make us examine our own lives.  How many times have I seen God meet my needs in awesome (and sometimes miraculous) ways, and then the very next time I have a need, I panic.  I forget what God has done, and I start stressing out.  Granted, I haven’t seen anything like the Red Sea parting, but I know God’s hand has been in other parts of my life.

That’s the beauty of the Bible.  We may forget, but it’s there to help us remember.

So, what’s the point?

The next time a need arises, or the next time when the situation seems overwhelming.  Look back at those times when God pulled you through in the past.  He’s not going to bring you this far and then abandon you!  The Hebrew view of time is to walk backwards into the future, always looking at the past, and using the signposts of God to guide the directions we need to go.  We don’t know the future, we can’t see what God is about to do, but we can see where He’s been and the things He’d done in our past.  And we can use that to remind us to trust Him.  Faith is a verb.  Look back and remember.  Then move forward with confidence that our God is bigger than any problem we’ll ever face.

Exodus 10:24-26

Pharaoh summoned Moshe and said, “Go, worship ADONAI; only leave your flocks and herds behind – your children may go with you.”  Moshe answered, “You must also see to it that we have sacrifices and burnt offerings, so that we can sacrifice to ADONAI our God.  Our livestock will also go with us – not a hoof will be left behind – because we must choose some of them to worship ADONAI our God, and we don’t know which ones we will need to worship ADONAI until we get there.”

I’ve read this story a hundred times, and heard it probably as many times.  Moshe tells Pharaoh to let the people of Isra’el go, but over and over Pharaoh refuses.  This time this particular verse struck me. Pharaoh says they can go (he actually does this the previous time too, but won’t let them take their children),  as long as they leave their animals behind (animals and herds, at this time, were like money, and to leave them behind would have meant starvation and death).  Moshe says that is not acceptable and the people won’t leave without them.

Seems insignificant, right?  But did you catch the part where Pharaoh let them go (albeit, conditionally)?  If I were in a difficult spot and I was offered the chance to go, I’d go.  I’d think, “Whew!  God’s finally getting me out of here!”  I’d take the best offer they’d give me and run. But that’s not what Moshe does.  He refuses to settle for “whatever he can get.”  He stands firm and says that the people must take all their things, including their children and livestock.  When Isra’el goes, they’re going in style!  Obviously, it’s important to note that Moshe was in the middle of a rather unusual situation and had been speaking at the behest of God.  But, God never wants us to leave a difficult situation with our tails tucked between our legs, whimpering and escaping by the skin of our teeth!  He won total victory for us!  He is THE God!  He is almighty and powerful and strong and awesome!  God doesn’t whimper.  God also doesn’t settle for whatever He can get.  It’s all His.  And He’s not leaving it behind!

The point that really made me stop was, “How often do I settle for less because I’m in such a hurry to get out of the situation I’m in?”  How often have I left my Egypt, but left behind the spoils and my belongings?

Shortly after Moshe leaves Pharaoh,  God tells the people to ask their neighbors for their gold and silver jewelry, and He gives the Isra’elites so much favor that all the Egyptians load them up with their jewelry (which, being gold and silver, would be like the Egyptians emptying their bank accounts to give it to the Isra’elites)!  Talk about taking it all when you go!  This is how we are to live!  We don’t leave with a whimper and with our tail tucked between our legs!  We leave with all the spoils of the situation we’re walking out of!  We walk out with all our belongings, all our blessings, and take the ones that belong to the enemy, too!

ADONAI, Lord of Hosts, may I have the boldness to walk in Your great favor and to only leave when I can take the treasures of my enemies with me; not leaving behind any of the things You’ve blessed me with, not settling for whatever I can get, and not leaving before Your glory has been manifested!  May I walk in the victory You promise, and believe that when You give the victory, it is total and complete.  I praise You that you make those around me favorable disposed towards me, and that I am regarded highly by my enemies, and that You have already won my victory!  Hallelu Ya!

I went in to speak with my Principal about some tech questions, and ended up talking about ways to work with teachers to improve technology use and about leading the 9th grade English team!  Definitely not expected!  But pretty awesome!

Today I went in to speak with my Principal about the tech job I had applied for and then withdrawn my application from.  I wanted her to know so she didn’t hear through the grapevine and wonder why I hadn’t told her. I was nervous that she’d be upset that I had even considered it, but when I told her and explained why I didn’t end up applying, she was so kind and appreciative and encouraging!  It was awesome!

I finally feel like I’m moving forward a little.  So much of my teaching career feels like I’ve stood still and never stood out (in a good way).  And, it’s pretty awesome to see some of the amazing things God is doing!  Yay!

So, I realized I used “awesome” about a million times.  Why are there so few words in the English language that express that kind of exuberance?

Surrender and Slavery

I was listening to Dutch Sheets speak about Intercessory prayer, and something he said suddenly just clicked!  God created man (Adam) to be an image (a shadow, an illusion, a re-presentation) of Him and His glory here on earth.  Adam looked like YHWH and was given His authority to re-present the will of YHWH on earth.  Unfortunately, Adam surrendered that authority and gave it to Hasatan, our Adversary, and in doing so, turned over YHWH’s kingdom to the enemy.  Now Adam was stripped on that authority and a slave or captive. But YHWH promised the enemy who had gained authority that a time was coming when his rule would be crushed.

Reclaiming the Kingdom

Four thousand-ish years later, Yeshua came.  A man surrendered authority and a man had to take it back.  To do this, Yeshua had to overthrow the rule of the enemy, death.  When Yeshua rose again, defeating death, He took back the kingdom authority for YHWH on earth.  Once again, the true King rules and reign. 

Redemption

So what does that have to do with people?  What does it mean to “trust in Yeshua”?  When I trust in Yeshua, when I surrender my will to His, when I choose to believe and accept that He is the One, true King, I choose to become part of His kingdom.  Kind of like a naturalized citizen in a country.  I swear my allegiance and submission to the rule and reign of YHWH.  I turn my back on my former citizenship and slavery, and I choose to submit to His rules and His ways.

Reigning

As a citizen of YHWH’s retaken kingdom, I choose to submit to His laws, the Torah.  As His embassador to this earth, it is my role to live a life that demonstrates what it means to be a part of His kingdom.  And since His kingdom is totally different from the enemy’s, my life should reflect that difference.  Just like Roman ambassadors were charged with making conquered citizens more Roman, I am charged with showing the newly freed and those who still live in bondage what it means to be a part of YHWH’s rule and reign.

Reconciling the Torah

One confusing bit was how the Torah fit in.  I believe in its relevance, but how does it work with what Yeshua did?  Here’s my thoughts:  I can live by the Torah and never enter into and submit to YHWH’s kingdom authority by believing that Yeshua, His Son has reclaimed the keys to the kingdom (so the Torah can’t bring me true life, but my inability to follow it does show me that I need Yeshua, someone to save me from slavery.).  But, if I do believe that Yeshua crushed the rule of the enemy and now rules this earth, and if I submit myself to His rule, then I also choose to obey His rules (Torah).  Do people break rules?  Yeah.  Sometimes on purpose, and sometimes in ignorance.  Are there consequences for breaking rules?  Yeah.  Some are more obvious than others, though.  If I choose to eat pork, the consequence may be a build up of fat and being unhealthy.  It may not kill me, but I won’t be all that I could be.  On the other hand, there are some laws that, if broken, carry more obvious consequences.  Like murder.  I can live in YHWH’s kingdom and not follow Torah.  But life will be richer, and I will be a better light and re-presentation of YHWH’s kingdom if I do.

Exodus 34:6-7   ⁶ Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; ⁷ who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

God is compassionate and gracious and forgives those who ask because His love is abounding.  He doesn’t get angry quickly, but he will punish the guilty who are unrepentant.  He abounds in truth and lovingkindness (reliability).

Numbers 29:13  “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it?   Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

God does not lie (He IS truth).  God does not sin, so He doesn’t need to repent (this doesn’t mean that He can’t change His mind and forgive us – remember Ninevah?).  What He says, He will do.

Deuteronomy 4:24   For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

God is jealous of His relationship with me.  He consumes like fire anything and everything within me until I am His.

Deuteronomy 4:31    For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.

God is compassionate and doesn’t destroy us.  He will not fail me.  He won’t forget the covenant that He made with Israel (and if I am grafted into Israel this promise applies to me as well if I fulfill the conditions set in the covenant).

Deuteronomy 6:4  Shema (Hear and obey) O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

God is one.  I know we have “the Trinity” but that was defined around 300 ad.  I think of God, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit as being kind of like water.  Water is water, but it can have many forms – it can be ice, liquid, or vapor.  God can take many forms, too.  But He is still ONE.

Deuteronomy 9:3  Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you.

God is my forward guard.  When He sends me somewhere, He goes before me.  He is a consuming fire that purifies and drives out anything in His way, or He prepares them for me to be able to drive them out/destroy them quickly.

Deuteronomy 10:17    For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.

God is God.  He is over all other gods, and He is Lord of all other lords.  He is over EVERYTHING.  He is great.  He is mighty.  He is awesome.  He can’t be bought and is completely fair.

Deuteronomy 20:14   for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

God is with me where I go.  God fights for me.  God saves me.

Deuteronomy 33:27   The eternal God is a refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, ‘Destroy!

God is a refuge, a place to hide and rest.  God is everlasting.  His arms never get tired.

2 Samuel 22:33-34   For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God? ³³ “God is my strong fortress; And He sets the blameless in His way. ³⁴ “He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me on my high places.

God is a rock.  Being a rock means He’s also a great place to go when I need defending.  He is strong.  He directs my path in His way and makes my feet secure so I won’t fall.

Psalm 33:11  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

God makes plans and He is not thwarted.  Not my mess ups, not time, nothing forces Him to change.

Psalm 46:1 God the Refuge of His People. For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, ^[a]set to Alamoth. A Song. ¹ God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

God is a refuge for me.  He is my strength.  When I am in trouble, He is present and makes His presence known.

Psalms 48:14  For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.

God is God forever.  He is my God forever and ever.  He is my guide every day until I die.

Psalms 50:6  And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge.

God is righteous.  God is judge of everything.

Psalms 54:4  Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.

God is my helper.  He helps me all the time, not just when I’m in trouble.  He sustains my soul – he keeps it alive.

Psalms 68:19-20  Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah. ²⁰ God is to us a God of deliverances; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.

God is my burden bearer every day.  He is strong and has no trouble carrying my struggles.  God is my salvation (rescue).  God is God of deliverances.  He sends deliverance to me when I am trapped.  God knows all the escape routes.

Psalms 73:26  My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

God is the strength of my heart.  He keeps my heart beating. He makes me brave.  He is my portion, and since he’s pretty huge, that’s a big portion!

Psalms 84:11-12   For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  ¹² O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

God is my sun, my light.  He is my shield, keeps me safe.  God is the giver of grace and glory.  God doesn’t hold back good things; He gives them to those who do what’s right.

Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is tested;  He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

God’s word is tested – it’s true and flawless (according to the NIV).  God doesn’t make mistakes, so His words are never mistakes.  He is a shield that deflects attacks that come at me.

Isaiah 61:1-3  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
² To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
³ To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

God has good news for me when I am afflicted.  God binds me up when I am brokenhearted and crushed so I can heal.  God brings liberty and freedom for me when I held captive by the darkness.  God comforts me when I am sad and mourning.  He gives good things in exchange for the bad.

Matthew 12:28  But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

God’s Spirit casts out demons and brings the rule and reign of God.

John 4:24   God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

God is spirit.  To worship Him my spirit must honestly revere Him.

Food in the Garden

This article discusses the role of Israel. God clearly states (in Hebrew) that all men live by the Torah. This begs the question of how the rest of us are supposed to know about Torah if it was given to the Israelites. The answer is that they are chosen as God’s priestly people whose role is to tell the world how to live according to God’s standard and to return to the Garden.

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The Certificate

Many of us wonder, then, what got “nailed to the cross” when Yeshua died? Our Bibles translate it as the Torah… but is that correct? This article explores what the Hebrew text says and clarifies the role of Torah in our lives today.

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“Then the men of Judah raised a war cry, and when the men of Judah raised the war cry, then it was that God routed Jereboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.”

2 Chronicles 13:15

Then it was that God routed Jereboam and all Israel.  It wasn’t until the men of Judah raised a war cry, a battle cry, that God routed their attackers.  They had been ambushed, so they cried to the Lord, and they sounded the trumpets, but even though all of that was well and good, God didn’t intervene until they raised a war cry.

I think the reason the war cry is so important is because it signifies our desire, passion, and holy anger to fight back.  We are no longer content to sit idly by or to run around in confusion.  The fight is on and we’re going on the offensive!  I can cry for help, I can sound the trumpet of alarm to rally the troupes to prayer or in warning, but God is waiting for the warriors’ heart to be stirred.  When I pick up my sword, raise my shield, and scream at the forces of evil, it is then that God routes my enemies.

So the question today is obvious, have a raised my battle cry?  If not, what’s holding me back?