MORE Reasons To Trust

Natural Idolatry

Tuesday, January 08th, 2008 | Author: Skip Moen

You shall not make for yourself an image  Deuteronomy 5:8 NASB

Image – What is an idol?  We certainly recognize the idols of ancient religions.  The Hebrew word here (pesel from pasal, meaning “to cut or hew”) makes it clear that the initial emphasis of the commandment deals with all those sacred objects men make in the pursuit of gods.  But a little investigation shows us that there is more at stake here than wood and stone.  Deuteronomy tells us that idols are an abomination to God, lumped into the category with devious and evil acts, stealing, evil thoughts, lying and pride.  All are abominations to God (and, of course, we have never done any of these, have we?).  The issue of idolatry is so important that Hebrew has fourteen different words for “idol.”  Some apply to external objects of worship.  Some apply to internal objects of worship.  All fit that same prohibition.  Anything that demands absolute devotion in attitude or action other than the Lord is the subject of this commandment.

Of course, we have all heard the exhortations against placing our devotion in money, power, other people or causes.  I am quite sure we have all endured the declarations of those who challenge our commitment by pointing to the inherent idolatry in materialism, nationalism or some other “ism.”  What we might not acknowledge is how perfectly natural it is for men to turn to idols.  After all, God is invisible.  His actions are mysterious;  His methods inscrutable;  His plans unimaginable.  The Bible readily admits that His ways are not our ways.  We, on the other hand, are all about “show me” devotion.  We want proof before we commit.  We want something we can touch or see or taste before we are ready to turn our lives over.

God knows this.  How could He not know it?  He made us!  So, God provides the proof.  He acts on our behalf.  Our problem is not that God is absent from life.  Our problem is that we want a God Who acts right now!  We have stopped looking in the appropriate direction to see the trustworthiness of God because we have stopped looking into the past to find the meaning of our lives.  We have been seduced by the culture of significance into looking toward the future, and since we can’t see the future, we’re afraid.  So, we make something solid that we can hang on to.  As a result of not looking back at God’s acts, we see nothing that we can be sure of in the future.  Therefore, we make up some substitute for devotion.  We put our trust in what we have now;  those things that make us feel secure.  We devote ourselves to what we think will serve us best right now.  In the process, we slander God.

God leaves plenty of markers to establish His reliability.  There’s a pile of stones where the children crossed the Jordan.  There are altars scattered across the land.  There is a rainbow in the sky.  And there’s an empty tomb.  But unless we gather our courage from God’s past acts, we will find the future so threatening that worshipping what we have right in front of us will be the natural thing to do.  Turn around!  Ignore the culture that tells you your safety lies in planning for tomorrow.  Look where God has already been.  That’s what sets the course of your life.  Tomorrow never comes.  What you have is what God has already done and what you are going to do with it today.

Is it any wonder that the Hebrew word for the future is a word that gives us an image of a man in a rowboat, looking back at where he came from while he rows toward a place he cannot see?  Once aligned with the markers he can see (where he has already been), his future is secure.  He can’t row while straining his neck to look where he is going.  So, God leaves markers, lots of them, in order that we can get aligned with where He has been, and be confident that the alignment will take us where He wants us to go.

Natural idolatry is the attempt to row forward without looking back at God’s handiwork.

And, by the way, once we divest ourselves of the history of God with Israel, or the history of God with our own family trees, we are set adrift without markers.  No wonder we flounder in the sea of idolatry.

Want to read more about the Hebrew view of the future?  Click here.

HOPE in Times of Tribulation

Great post by Lex!

I would add that one of the main reasons for Jacob’s Trouble (interesting — it’s not called Judah’s trouble, or Israel’s trouble, but JACOB’s Trouble — ALL twelve tribes) is the RESTORATION and bringing together of the two sticks — Judah and Ephraim AND their companions … this is GOD’s Heart! Spoken and prophesied about throughout the Scriptures … EXCITING!

Be ENCOURAGED — MANY blessings!

Joe :)

I was asked by a friend why I have so much hope about the Tribulation, and this was my response to him. I thought that it might also give other people encouragement as well, so I decided to share it. I know tribulation is a difficult thing for people to understand. Just the thought of  ”end times”, “last days”, “tribulation”, etc. can all be very overwhelming and scary. This is where faith really becomes important.

First, I have hope because I TRUST God. This is very important. It is easy to trust God when things are easy, but when persecution or famine or war is upon us, it becomes very easy to loose our faith.  As important as it is to have your tent ready, I believe that it is more important for us to be spiritually prepared for tribulation than it is for us to be physically prepared, because when things get difficult, we will have to trust God, or we will fall away. (Just like many in the first exodus did)

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” (Isaiah 12:2)

Second, I have hope because I know what to expect. The Bible tells us in great detail about what will happen during the 42 months of tribulation. This means that we are not going in blind. We have hope because this means God is in control. We were told about these events thousands of years ago because God is in control. I have no reason to fear something that God has selected for me to experience.

“But I am the Lord your God, Ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, As in the days of the appointed feast. 10 I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets.” (Hosea 12:9-10)

“Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)

Third, I have hope because the Messiah is coming back. This is the most exciting thing about it! I rejoice because I am living in the days when the Messiah will return!  That is the most exciting time in the history of the world. I will get to see the Return of the King!  I will get to see the Kingdom of God in its fullness. I am living in the grand finale, the climax of world history, the culmination of all Biblical prophecy!  This is the days that the prophets yearned for.  Abraham, Moses, and the prophets will ask us what it was like to live in these days.

“After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.” (Acts 15:16-17)

Fourth, I have hope because God will lead us. Just as God provided food and water in the desert for 40 years during the first exodus, so also God will provide for our needs during this time.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” (Psalm 23)

Fifth, I have hope because of the resurrection. Even if I am tortured and killed for my faith, I know that when Messiah returns, I will be resurrected from the dead. This gives me great hope! The enemy can do nothing to me that my God cannot restore.

Yeshua said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief angel, and with God’s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Yeshua, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Messiah one thousand years. The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be Kohanim of God and of Messiah, and will reign with him one thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4-6)

Sixth, I have hope because I know that the tribulation is God’s plan. It is not the plan of the enemy, it is the will of the Father Himself!  This is most encouraging, because all good things come from God.

So, we can see that the tribulation is in fact a good thing.  It has two purposes:

• to rid the world of sin and evil

“tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 2:9-10)

• to purify and strengthen God’s people

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

It is the “refiner’s fire” that will destroy the evil, and strengthen and sharpen whatever is left.

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” (Malachi 3:2)

Just as in the days of Noah, God purged the world of evil, but delivered those who remained faithful to Him.

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37)

We have hope, because we are the ones who will be on the Ark. We are the ones who follow the deliverer. We follow the only God who is able to save.

What about those who have no hope?

I have heard Christians (who believe in the “rapture”) say that they “could not believe in a god who would allow his people to face tribulation“.  These are the people who will grumble and fall away during hard times. They are fair-weather Christians, and will turn away from God when times get too difficult.

Who are the people that fall away during tribulation?

“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” (Matthew 24:9)

We are indeed living in exciting times, and I hope that these words have given you hope as well. I would like to leave you with one final word of encouragement.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

Just How Y’shua Was/Is Our Passover Lamb

Absolutely AMAZING! Astounding!

Truly — Y’shua was/is our Passover Lamb — right down to the finest detail! Who but GOD could have arranged this?

Don’t miss out on celebrating the Feasts! Pesach (Passover) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is the first of the yearly cycle … there is such a richness and depth in celebrating the Feasts — and every year, there is more understanding — each Feast is a special time with the Father, as we REMEMBER …

Trust this Pesach season will be such a BLESSED time in greater intimacy with our Abba, and fellowship with the community YHVH has put around you — blessings to you and your family!

MANY blessings and SHALOM!

Joe :)

 

How the First Passover Perfectly Pictured Yeshua the Messiah

YHVH’s judgment comes upon the Egyptians at midnight because of their sins (Exod 11:4; 12:29).

• Judgment was pronounced upon Yeshua late at night (after the Passover seder) in the Garden of Gethsemane where he was betrayed and arrested, and later during his trial (Luke 22:53, 66–71; 23:1–25). Though he was sinless, he carried the sins of mankind upon himself (2 Cor 5:21; Isa 53:6).

The first born had to die at the hand of YHVH as a judgment against sin (Exod 11:5).

• Yeshua was the firstborn of Elohim and the first man born of the Ruach haKodesh (Set-Apart Spirit), and was the firstborn of Mary. At the first Passover, the firstborn of each family was to be the head, priest and patriarch of his household and was to lead his family in obedience to YHVH. If he failed to do so, then had to bear the judgment meted out by YHVH. Likewise, Yeshua bore the judgment because of our sins (our failure to obey YHVH’s word), which is death (Rom 6:23; 1 Cor 15:56).

A perfect, blemish-free lamb was to be chosen for the Passover lamb (Exod 12:5; Deut 15:21).

• Yeshua in accordance with Torah-law was selected four days before Passover and anointed (set apart) as the Lamb (John 12:1).
• The people of Israel examined and accepted Yeshua at his triumphal entry in Jerusalem (John 12:2).
• The religious system examined and rejected Yeshua (John 26:57) because he was a threat to their religious establishment.
• Judas, one of Yeshua’s closest associates, declared him innocent (Matt 27:3–4).
• Pilate’s wife declared Yeshua to be innocent (Matt 27:19).
• The political system through Pilate declared Yeshua to be innocent (Matt 27:23–24).
• Elohim, the Father of Yeshua, pronounced him guiltless and without sin (Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 1:19).

This perfect lamb was marked for death and was set aside for a special purpose (Exod 12:3–6).

• Yeshua was such a lamb (Isa 53:7; 1 Pet 1:19–20).

The lamb was to be a year old; that is, a mature adult (Exod 12:5).

• Yeshua died for our redemption in the fullness of his manhood.

The lamb was separated out on the tenth day of the first month (the Passover was on the fourteenth day of the first month, Exod 12:3).

• On the same day Yeshua came to Bethany (John 12:1) where on the evening of the tenth day of the month Mary anointed Yeshua with spikenard (John 12:2–37), the very day the Passover lamb was to be separated.

The lamb was to dwell with the Israelites in the family’s house until the Passover day when the lamb was then slaughtered (Exod 12:5–6).

• Yeshua dwelt with the Jews during this time, including having a meal in Bethany, making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, turning over the money changer’s tables at the temple, and enduring his trial.
• Yeshua, our Passover Lamb, wants to dwell in the spiritual house of our lives.

The blood from the lamb was to be painted on the door posts and lintels of each family’s house (Exod 12: 22–23).

• Messiah’s blood (or mark) must be placed on our foreheads (representing our thoughts) and hands (representing our actions) for us to be redeemed from the penalty of sin and to protect us from Elohim’s judgment against sin (Rev 7:3; 9:4; 22:4; Exod 3:9, 16; Deut 6:8; 11:18).

In order for one to be saved from the YHVH’s judgment on Passover eve, one had to enter the blood-painted door and be inside the house (Exod 12:22).

• Yeshua is the spiritual door to salvation and the way to the Father in heaven. No one can be saved without coming through his blood for the remission of sins. There is salvation through no other “door” but Yeshua (John 10:9; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rev 1:5; Heb 9:22; 1 John 1:7).

Hyssop was used to paint the blood onto the door posts (Exod 12:22).

• Yeshua was given sour wine (a figurative symbol of blood) on hyssop while hanging on the cross (John 19:29). Hyssop was an aromatic “paint brush”-like herb. It was used in purification ceremonies in the tabernacle (Lev 14:4, 6, 51–52) and was used as a poetic metaphor of inner cleansing in Psalms 51:7. Blood can symbolized many things, yet, when add to it hyssop, its cleansing powers from the stain and condemnation of sin and death are emphasized.

Later in Israel’s history, the Passover lamb was taken to the tabernacle (and later to the temple in Jeruesalem) to be sacrificed.

• Yeshua was condemned to die by the Jewish priests in the temple in Jerusalem.

The lamb was roasted by fire (Exod 12:8–9).

• Fire is a biblical metaphor for judgment. Yeshua suffered the fire of his Heavenly Father’s wrath and judgment against man’s sins (Matt 27:46; 2 Cor 5:21). What’s more, while a person was dying a slow and agonizing death on the cross, it would feel like he was on fire as his body was burning up with thirst in the hot sun.

No bones of the lamb were broken, or else it would not have been blemish-free (Exod 12:46).

• No bones of Yeshua were broken while hanging on the cross, although it was customary for the Romans to break the legs of the crucified to expedite the victim’s death (John 19:31–33).

Each Israelite was commanded to take a lamb and eat of it (Exod 12:3).

• Salvation is an individual matter. Each person must partake of the Lamb of YHVH individually. This is symbolized by each person taking communion (the bread and wine—a symbolic representation of the Passover meal), which is traditionally done during the third cup of wine during the Passover seder.

Later, according to Jews religious rules, the Passover lamb was roasted whole over an open fire spit with a pomegranate skewer running through in its mouth and out its vent (like a rotisserie, see The Temple: Its Ministry and Service, p. 182, by Alfred Edersheim, Hedrickson, 1978).

• Yeshua was “impaled” on a wooden cross—whole, and suffered the “flames” of Elohim’s judgment against sin.

The Passover lamb’s blood was placed on the lintel and door posts of the Israelite’s doors.

• Yeshua was pierced in the hands and head (as well as his back and side) and bled therefrom. The blood on the door was a perfect outline of the blood on Messiah’s body while he was hanging on the cross.

The Passover lamb was killed about 3 PM in the afternoon. This was the same time the priests would offer up the afternoon (or evening) daily sacrifice in the temple, and the same time that they offered up Passover lamb for the nation of Israel.

• Yeshua died on the cross at the ninth hour, or 3 PM in the afternoon (Matt 27:46–50).

Google Exodus

Very cute video!

Google Exodus — Passover Movie:

Can’t wait for Pesach!

By the way … tonight (11 March) marks the first New Moon, of the first month of the Biblical year — HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May YHVH bless you abundantly in this coming year, with greater understanding of His Ways and Torah, that you may know Him more intimately — may He SHINE His Face upon you and your family!

MANY blessings!

Joe :)

 

WATCH + Pray!

Well, if there was ever a time to begin studying and looking at prophecy, I’d say nows a good time …

Though Y’shua admonishes us to always be alert and watching, there are a number of very interesting things going down, to definitely keep an eye on!

If you haven’t been able to keep up with the research behind each of the points below — please check out the embedded links for more information — I have only been able to give a short summary …

1. Was President Obama’s recent 20 January 2013 Inaugural Day another connection in the parallel between Modern America and Ancient Israel?

In his book “Harbinger”, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn presents a fascinating parallel between GOD’s Dealings with Ancient Israel and Modern America, detailing how since September 11th 2001, America has experienced similar “harbingers of judgement” (warnings) as Ancient Israel did, before GOD eventually did judge Israel, in that Jerusalem succumbed to the siege of 587 B.C. — the Temple was destroyed, and the people taken captive …

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn was a guest speaker at the Inaugural Day Breakfast — check out the video HERE.

In addition to Cahn’s parallel’s, Nathan Leal noted the following:

“In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city was penetrated.” Jeremiah 39:2

Moving forward from the date of September 11, 2001 and using the calculation found in the verse above (Jeremiah 39:2),

1. September 11, 2001 + 11 years = September 11, 2012.
2. September 11, 2012 + 4 months = January 11, 2013
3. January 11, 2013 + 9 days = January 20, 2013

We arrive at the date of January 20, 2013!

2. Another interesting topic, that has just this week gotten even more interesting, is the “prophecies of the popes” by Malachy Martin. Last year, Tom Horn and Chris Putnam released their book “Petrus Romanus”, in which they looked at the EXTRA-Biblical “pope prophecies” and noted that, although NOT part of Biblical prophecy, it was interesting that Malachy predicted that Pope Benedict XVI would be the second to last pope, and that the pope after him, would be the FINAL pope … and on this past Monday (11 February), Pope Benedict XVI announced that, due to health problems, he has needed to resign — his last day in office being 28 February 2013.

(Currently, Tom Horn and Chris Putnum are working on a follow-up project, regarding Genesis 6, UFO’s, alien disclosure, and the coming great deception — also worth checking out!)

All this leads into point three, and the upcoming Festival of Purim, and 22 March …

3. If you haven’t had a chance to watch 119 Ministries‘ “End of Days” series, definitely make a plan to watch all the episodes, especially part four, “Daniel Unsealed”.

In “Daniel Unsealed”, the 119 guys present some VERY interesting information regarding the upcoming solar/lunar eclipses ON the Feast Days of 2014 and 2015 (they are not the only one’s who looked into this, Mark Biltz and Dewey Bruton have done similar studies). They also look at the various counting of days, given in Daniel and Revelation … all of which seem to start round about now, early 2013. In their study, the date they keep landing on is 1 September 2016, which is the date for Yom Teruah (the Feast of Trumpets) that year.

In a nutshell (though you must really watch the video), they give the following countings:

• 1 September 2016 – 1,290 days (as given in Daniel 12:11) = 21 February 2013 (Purim)
• 1 September 2016 – 1,260 days (as given in Daniel 7:25, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 11:2-3, Revelation 12:6, 14) = 22 March 2013.
• 22 March just so happens to be the day after winter (21 March is the equinox) and the day before a Sabbath — just as Y’shua describes in Matthew 24!

In the teaching, they discuss some of the other countings given as well … very interesting indeed!

What’s more … 119 Ministries’ released the following Facebook update:

Summary of news articles posted lately (in order of news release dates):

The position of Pope is granted seat on Mount Zion in Israel.

Obama going to Jerusalem for the first time on 3/20/13.

Pope announces resignation effective close of day 2/28/13.

Announced that he will be helicoptered to the Pope vacation home for 20 days while the new Pope is selected and announced. This would be 3/21/12.

“Daniel Unsealed” prescribed possible significance to sundown 3/21 to 3/22/13 related to the abomination of desolation.

Here is something that was JUST realized.

We all know how the adversary likes to mock and imitate Yah’s Ways in his own way.

Here it is.

Obama will be [making his FIRST trip to Jerusalem, since becoming President and will be] arriving in Jerusalem on the 10th day of the first month on the Hebraic calendar.

For those who do not connect the date, that is the day Y’shua rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the Torah commandment to inspect the lamb for Passover on the 10th day [of the first month of the year].

Getting closer to “DU” day … either the teaching will be deleted, or it will not.

We will see …

A lot of things that make you sit up and take note …

Since from around 2010, we have seen the birth pangs have already started. Birth pangs don’t just stop, what happens? Labor increases with intensity … the contractions are more frequent … and the pain heightens.

So, if the previous years are any indication, we may be in for a rough ride …

What then should we be doing? Y’shua gives us clear instruction in Luke 21 … in describing these last days, FIVE times Y’shua warns:

Watch and pray!

Notice, He gives us a TWO-fold instruction … watch AND pray!

Most of us get the praying part, I mean, can anything come but through prayer? But, for most of the Body of Messiah, the watching part has been all but neglected …

What does it mean to watch? The Greek word used in Luke 21 is Strong’s Greek 991 … this word means “to look at (literally or figuratively), behold, beware, perceive, regard, take heed”.

Watching simply means WATCHING … being aware/alert to what is happening, and then studying the Scriptures to determine what lines up with what YHVH has said/prophesied … and what doesn’t. We are told — if we’re watching, we will see the signs — and they will be confirmed, as things unfold …

Why do we watch?

Why does an army have a guard patrol? Why did the Israelites of old have watchmen on the walls?

In order to be prepared! To see what is coming, and be able to not only STAND, but to strengthen/encourage those who will be completely caught off guard!

In the dark times coming, we are to shine for YHVH … to have the answers! To have HOPE!

Remember, YHVH promises a reward to those who watch and pray …

One note on this …

Many in the past have become discouraged and disillusioned with predictions and prophecies … this is very sad! 

We must remember watching means watching — watching does not mean something is for sure, most definitely going to occur … it means we look at the research presented, TEST EVERYTHING against the Scriptures … and continue to watch, to see if the signs are confirmed.

We must also remember to walk in the TENSION … which is so much apart of the Biblical mindset, and yet is so difficult for our human natures!

To WATCH and be VIGILANT, and yet be at peace (FEAR is not of the Father) …
To be READY, and yet continue walking the “everyday” walk of faith …
To PREPARE ourselves as the BRIDE, keeping our lamp’s oil full, while we wait …

Let us keep watch, while we continue to TRUST and seek after the Father, keeping close to HIM …

Establish yourself in HIM (YHVH) Who will never leave you alone, and Y’SHUA Who is our SOLID Rock …

May He direct your steps!

MANY blessings!

Joe :)

Shabbat … YAY!

So, we’re still unpacking and sorting things out after moving house around two weeks ago! Would be great if it was as easy as the picture :)

Pick up, move … sorted!

I can’t make up my mind what is the best?

• To be rushed and have to move everything in one day,
• OR, to move with a bit of time.

My family and I have moved our fare share over the years – when I was sixteen, we had moved eleven times in the space of around seven years!

If I think back now, I’m surprised … I’m now not such a fan of moving – change is not always easy to embrace. But growing up, I quite enjoyed the moves, there was this sense of new places, new people, and new adventures.

All our previous moves were in a rush – everything had to be moved in one day. This move is the first where we’ve had time … and I can’t say what I prefer? Suppose there’s pro and cons to both. Moving in a rush, everything’s moved, but you feel a tad overwhelmed in the new spot, with everything piled up in boxes (sure motivation to unpack quickly). Moving with time, you can pack and then unpack bit by bit, and not feel like the new spot is complete chaos … but then it takes longer!

Made me think of the Israelites in the wilderness …

Up until a few years ago, I didn’t spend much time reading the Torah (the five Books of Moses), let alone really relating the stories to my own life. They were just stories … now, I absolutely love those Books and have a completely new perspective!

I mean, have you ever wondered just what it was like to journey through the wilderness, with all those people? To be on the move, following the Cloud by day, and the Fire by night? We sometimes forget the practical logistics of that …

And yet, it is such a picture of what the Father (YHVH) desires for us – to follow and trust Him, absolutely resting in that HE knows the way ahead.

Something to ponder on as we enter the new Gregorian year of 2012 …

Granted, it wasn’t always easy for Israel to pick up and move, and there was quite a bit of work involved … yet:

• Abba-YHVH always provided and cared for them,
• During those years in the wilderness, their shoes never wore out,
• There were important lessons to be learnt in the wilderness,
• And most importantly, they were following YHVH, Who knew exactly where and what. How amazing! Even just the fact of the Cloud by day, to give shade in the hot sun, and the Fire by night, to give warmth in the cold night, reveals the GOODNESS of our Abba!

So it was with Israel of old, so it will be for us today …

I’m sure it was the same for Israel … with weeks like these, you really look forward to Shabbat! YAY!

So, with whatever week you’ve had, may you rest and savor this Shabbat, spending time with Abba-YHVH and your family … may Abba refresh and renew you, as you draw closer to Him … may you drink deeply of His Well of Salvation, the LIVING-WATER … Y’shua.

Shabbat Shalom!