Category Archives: Character of God

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Repenting from Sin

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late (Revelation 9)

Leave a comment

How many warnings does it take before a hardened heart finally listens?

Key Verse:
“The rest of mankind… did not repent of the works of their hands…” —Revelation 9:20 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 9, the fifth and sixth trumpets bring increasingly severe judgment upon the earth. Torment, destruction, fear, and death unfold on a massive scale, yet humanity continues to resist God rather than turn to Him.

This chapter forms a complete picture of escalating judgment, hardened hearts, and ignored warnings—while also echoing patterns seen earlier in Exodus during the plagues upon Egypt.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 9

Reflection on Revelation 9:
One of the clearest themes in Revelation 9 is that judgment alone does not produce repentance.

As the trumpet judgments intensify, humanity experiences suffering on a scale unlike anything previously seen. The warnings are unmistakable. God’s power is clearly being revealed.

And yet:

“They did not repent.”

This is the tragedy at the center of the chapter.

People often imagine that if God revealed Himself more clearly, everyone would immediately turn to Him. But Revelation 9 shows that the deepest issue is not lack of evidence—it is the condition of the heart.

A hardened heart can witness extraordinary things and still refuse to submit.

This strongly echoes the pattern we saw in Exodus.

Pharaoh repeatedly witnessed God’s power through the plagues:

  • water turned to blood
  • darkness over the land
  • devastation throughout Egypt
  • the distinction between Egypt and Israel

Yet instead of humbling himself, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart. Later, Scripture tells us that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart as well—not by forcing him into rebellion, but by confirming and sustaining the resistance Pharaoh had already chosen.

Revelation 9 reveals humanity responding in much the same way.

Warnings increase.
Judgment intensifies.
Opportunities to repent remain.

But many continue resisting God.

At the same time, both Exodus and Revelation show another important truth:

God distinguishes those who belong to Him.

In Exodus:

  • Israel was protected in Goshen
  • the blood marked those under God’s protection

In Revelation:

  • God’s people are sealed
  • limits are placed on judgment

This reveals God’s consistent character.

Even in judgment, He knows those who belong to Him.

Another important theme in Revelation 9 is restraint.

The judgments are severe, but they are not uncontrolled:

  • boundaries are established
  • timing is limited
  • authority is permitted, not autonomous

God remains fully sovereign.

Nothing unfolds outside His authority.

This chapter also exposes the danger of delayed repentance.

Many assume:

  • “I will turn to God later.”
  • “If things get serious enough, I’ll change.”
  • “There will always be more time.”

But Revelation 9 warns us that the longer a heart resists God, the more fixed that resistance can become.

This is why Scripture repeatedly calls us to respond today.

Not after more warnings.
Not after more consequences.
Not after life becomes unbearable.

Today.

The chapter ultimately points us toward both warning and hope.

Warning:

  • a hardened heart can resist even overwhelming evidence

Hope:

  • God still calls people to repentance
  • God still distinguishes His people
  • God still provides deliverance through the Lamb

Just as Passover in Exodus pointed to salvation through the blood of the lamb, Revelation points us to Yeshua—the Lamb through whom ultimate deliverance is found.

The question Revelation 9 leaves us with is deeply personal:

Are we responding to God while our hearts are still soft?

Or are we slowly becoming comfortable resisting Him?

Application:

  • Respond to God’s conviction and warnings without delay.
  • Examine your heart for areas of resistance or compromise.
  • Remember that outward circumstances alone do not transform the heart.
  • Trust that God remains sovereign even when judgment and chaos unfold.
  • Place your confidence in the deliverance God provides through Yeshua.

Closing Prayer:
Father, keep my heart soft and responsive to You. Help me not to delay repentance or ignore Your warnings. Reveal any areas where I am resisting Your will, and teach me to walk in humility and obedience. Thank You for Your patience, Your mercy, and the deliverance You provide through Yeshua. In His name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Knowing, All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Patient, Prophecy, Protector / Deliverer, Traditions / Holidays

Trusting God Through the Process (Exodus 7-12)

Leave a comment

Have you ever struggled to understand why God allows difficult seasons to continue longer than expected?

Key Verse:
“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD…” —Exodus 7:5 NASB

Background Context:
From Exodus 7–12, God confronts Pharaoh and Egypt through the plagues, ultimately leading to the Passover and the deliverance of Israel. These chapters reveal far more than a series of judgments—they reveal God’s character, authority, timing, and faithfulness.

Throughout this progression, we repeatedly see the same themes:

  • God makes Himself known
  • Pharaoh resists and compromises
  • Judgment escalates
  • God distinguishes His people
  • Deliverance comes through obedience and trust

This section forms a complete movement—from confrontation to deliverance—and reveals important truths about how God works in our lives today.

Exodus 7-12

Reflection on Exodus 7–12:
One of the clearest themes throughout these chapters is that God wants to make Himself known.

Again and again, God declares:

  • “Then you shall know that I am the LORD”
  • “That My name may be declared throughout the earth”
  • “That you may tell your son and your grandson”

The plagues were not random acts of destruction.

God was revealing:

  • His authority over Egypt
  • His superiority over false gods
  • His power over nature, rulers, and nations
  • His faithfulness to His covenant promises

And He was doing so in a way that would be remembered for generations.

At the center of this story stands Pharaoh.

Early on, Pharaoh hardens his own heart repeatedly. He sees God’s power, hears clear warnings, and still refuses to submit. Later, Scripture tells us that the LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart—not by forcing him into a new direction, but by confirming and sustaining the path Pharaoh had already chosen.

God allowed Pharaoh’s resistance to continue so that His power and glory would be revealed more fully.

This reminds us of an important truth:

God is sovereign even over opposition.

What appears to be delay is often God unfolding a greater purpose than we can yet see.

Another major pattern throughout these chapters is compromise.

Pharaoh repeatedly tries to negotiate with God:

  • partial obedience
  • delayed obedience
  • limited surrender

But God does not accept compromise.

Again and again, we see that partial obedience is still disobedience. God was not calling Pharaoh to negotiate—He was calling him to humble himself and obey fully.

This same temptation exists in our lives today.

We may want to follow God while still holding onto control, comfort, or areas we do not want to surrender. But these chapters remind us that God calls for wholehearted obedience.

As the plagues continue, judgment intensifies.

What begins with discomfort grows into devastation. Yet even in judgment, we repeatedly see God’s mercy:

  • warnings before plagues
  • opportunities to respond
  • distinction between Egypt and Israel

God was not acting recklessly.

He was revealing Himself clearly and giving opportunity after opportunity for repentance.

Then comes Passover.

This is the turning point of the entire section.

The difference between judgment and deliverance was not human strength, status, or effort—it was the blood of the lamb applied in obedience to God’s instruction.

Where the blood was present, judgment passed over.

This points directly to Yeshua, the Lamb of God, through whom deliverance from sin and judgment is provided (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

We also see throughout these chapters that God’s timing is perfect.

The deliverance from Egypt was not an afterthought or sudden reaction. God had spoken of it generations earlier to Abraham (Genesis 15:12–14). After hundreds of years, God fulfilled His promise exactly.

What may have seemed delayed was never forgotten.

This is deeply encouraging for us.

There are seasons when we:

  • do not understand God’s timing
  • feel stuck in difficulty
  • wonder whether God is still working

But Exodus 7–12 reminds us:

  • God sees
  • God remembers
  • God acts
  • and God fulfills His promises perfectly

These chapters challenge us to ask:

Will we harden our hearts like Pharaoh?
Will we try to compromise with God?
Or will we trust Him fully, obey Him completely, and place ourselves under what He has provided?

God was not only delivering Israel from Egypt.

He was teaching His people who He is.

And He is still doing the same today.

Application:

  • Trust that God is working even when His timing feels slow.
  • Respond to God with full obedience rather than compromise.
  • Take seriously the warnings and instruction God gives.
  • Remember that God’s deliverance comes through what He provides, not through human effort.
  • Reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past to strengthen your faith in the present.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Word and through Your faithfulness. Help me to trust You even when I do not understand the timing or the process. Keep me from hardening my heart or compromising with what You have called me to do. Teach me to obey You fully and to rest in the deliverance You provide. Thank You for always keeping Your promises. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, His Timing Not Ours, Miracles, Miracles, Obeying God

Trusting God’s Timing (12:29–42)

Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten His promises while you are still waiting?

Key Verse:
“And at the end of four hundred and thirty years… all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.” —Exodus 12:41 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 12:1–28, God gives instructions for the Passover, and His people respond in obedience—trusting in what He has provided for their protection.

Now in Exodus 12:29–42, what God had promised is fulfilled. Judgment falls on Egypt, and at the same time, deliverance begins for Israel—exactly as God said it would.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 12:29-42

     29Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle. 30Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead. 31Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the LORD, as you have said. 32“Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go, and bless me also.”

Exodus of Israel

      33The Egyptians urged the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We will all be dead.” 34So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls bound up in the clothes on their shoulders.

      35Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; 36and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

      37Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. 38A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock. 39They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.

      40Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

Ordinance of the Passover

      42It is a night to be observed for the LORD for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the LORD, to be observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.

Reflection on Exodus 12:29–42:
At midnight, everything changes.

What God had declared now takes place exactly as He said. Every firstborn in the land of Egypt dies—from the house of Pharaoh to the lowest servant.

There is no delay.
There is no variation.

God’s word is fulfilled completely.

And at the same time, Israel is protected.

Not because of their strength.
Not because of their righteousness.

Because of the blood.

Where the blood was present, judgment passed over. God provided a way of deliverance, and those who trusted Him and obeyed were spared.

Pharaoh responds immediately.

The one who had resisted, delayed, and tried to compromise now urges the people to leave. What could not be accomplished through negotiation is accomplished in a moment when God acts.

And then, after generations of waiting, the people leave.

“At the end of four hundred and thirty years…”

This is not just a detail.

This is a declaration of God’s faithfulness.

For generations, God’s people had lived in bondage. Many likely wondered when—or if—God would act.

But this moment is not just the fulfillment of what God told Moses—it reaches back even further. Long before this, God had spoken to Abraham and declared that his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land, that they would be oppressed, and that He would judge that nation and bring them out with many possessions (Genesis 15:12–14).

What is happening now is the unfolding of a promise made hundreds of years earlier.

What may have seemed delayed was never forgotten.

God was not absent.
God was not inactive.
God was not late.

He was working according to His perfect timing.

And when that time came, everything changed.

Israel does not leave empty-handed. Just as God had said, they receive silver, gold, and clothing from the Egyptians. Even in the moment of departure, God provides.

The chapter closes by declaring this a night to be remembered—a night to be observed by future generations.

This is not just history.

It is a testimony.

A testimony that God keeps His promises.
A testimony that God acts at the right time.
A testimony that God delivers completely.

For us, this passage speaks directly into the seasons of waiting we experience.

We may not see what God is doing.
We may not understand the timing.
We may feel like nothing is changing.

But just as with Israel, God is still working.

His timing is not rushed.
His timing is not delayed.

It is perfect.

The same God who fulfilled His promise after generations is the God who is at work in our lives today.

The question is:

Will we trust Him while we wait?

Application:

  • Trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when you do not understand it.
  • Remember that God’s promises may take time, but they are never forgotten.
  • Look back on how God has been faithful in the past to strengthen your faith today.
  • Remain obedient and faithful in the waiting seasons.
  • Place your confidence in God’s plan rather than your own timeline.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You in seasons of waiting. When I do not understand Your timing, remind me that You are faithful and that You keep every promise. Strengthen my faith to remain obedient and patient, knowing that You are always at work. Thank You for Your perfect timing and Your unfailing love. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Traditions / Holidays

The Blood that Saves (Exodus 12:1-28)

Leave a comment

What makes the difference between judgment and deliverance?

Key Verse:
“The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you…” —Exodus 12:13 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 11, God declares that one final plague is coming—the death of the firstborn—which will break Pharaoh’s resistance and lead to Israel’s release.

Now in Exodus 12:1–28, before judgment comes, God gives His people specific instructions. This moment is not just about deliverance from Egypt—it establishes a lasting ordinance that points to something far greater.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 12:1-28

The Passover Lamb

      1Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2“This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you. 3“Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household. 4‘Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb. 5‘Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6‘You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. 7‘Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8‘They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9‘Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails. 10‘And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire. 11‘Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover. 12‘For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD. 13‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Feast of Unleavened Bread

14‘Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. 15‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16‘On the first day you shall have a holy assembly, and another holy assembly on the seventh day; no work at all shall be done on them, except what must be eaten by every person, that alone may be prepared by you. 17‘You shall also observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance. 18‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19‘Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is an alien or a native of the land. 20‘You shall not eat anything leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’”

      21Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22“You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.

A Memorial of Redemption

23“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. 24“And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. 25“When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. 26“And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ 27you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped.

      28Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Reflection on Exodus 12:1–28:
Before the final plague, God does something remarkable.

He prepares His people.

He does not leave them uncertain or unprotected. Instead, He gives clear, detailed instructions—what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.

This is important.

God’s deliverance is not random—it is intentional and revealed. Those who listen and obey are brought under His protection.

The instructions center on a lamb.

Each household is to take an unblemished lamb, keep it, and then sacrifice it at the appointed time. The blood of the lamb is then placed on the doorposts and lintel of the house.

This is the defining act.

The blood becomes a sign.

God says, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

This is the difference between life and death.

Not effort.
Not status.
Not identity alone.

The blood.

This points to a deeper truth that echoes throughout Scripture. Deliverance is not based on who we are or what we have done—it is based on what God has provided and whether we respond in obedience.

The people are also instructed to eat the lamb in a specific way—prepared, ready, with sandals on their feet and staff in hand.

This is not just a meal.

It is preparation for departure.

Deliverance is coming, and they must be ready to move.

God is not only saving them from judgment—He is leading them out of bondage.

He then establishes this event as a permanent memorial.

“This day will be a memorial to you…”

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is instituted so that future generations will remember what God has done.

This is not meant to be forgotten.

God’s acts of deliverance are to be remembered, retold, and passed down.

This connects to something we have seen before—God’s work is not only for the present moment, but for generations to come.

Finally, we see the response of the people.

“They bowed low and worshiped.”

And then:

“The sons of Israel went and did so…”

This is the right response.

They did not debate.
They did not delay.
They obeyed.

This passage is one of the clearest pictures in all of Scripture of salvation and deliverance.

A substitute is provided.
Blood is required.
Judgment is coming.
Protection is given to those who obey.

And it all points forward to Yeshua—the Lamb of God—whose sacrifice brings ultimate deliverance from sin and judgment (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

The question this passage leaves us with is simple and profound:

Are we covered?

Because when judgment comes, only what God has provided will stand.

Application:

  • Trust in what God has provided for your deliverance, not in your own efforts.
  • Respond to God’s instructions with obedience, not delay.
  • Live with readiness, knowing that God is leading you forward.
  • Remember and share what God has done in your life.
  • Place your faith in Yeshua, the Lamb who takes away sin (John 1:29).

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for providing a way of deliverance. Help me to trust fully in what You have done and to respond with obedience and faith. Remind me to live ready, prepared to follow where You lead. Thank You for the sacrifice that brings life and protection. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Seeking God

Help Comes from the Lord (Psalm 54)

Leave a comment

When others turn against you, where do you turn for help?

Key Verse:
“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” —Psalm 54:4 NASB

Background Context:
Psalms 54 was written by David when the Ziphites betrayed him by revealing his location to Saul (1 Samuel 23:19; 26:1). Instead of being protected by his own people, David was handed over to his enemy.

Following Psalm 53, which describes the corruption of those who reject God, Psalm 54 shows how the righteous respond when surrounded by such people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 54

Prayer for Defense against Enemies.

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Is not David hiding himself among us?”

     1Save me, O God, by Your name,
And vindicate me by Your power.

      2Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth.

      3For strangers have risen against me
And violent men have sought my life;
They have not set God before them.

Selah.

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

      5He will recompense the evil to my foes;
Destroy them in Your faithfulness.

      6Willingly I will sacrifice to You;
I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good.

      7For He has delivered me from all trouble,
And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.

Reflection on Psalm 54:
David begins with a direct and urgent cry:

“Save me… vindicate me…”

He does not hesitate. He goes straight to God.

This is important.

When facing betrayal or opposition, our first instinct may be to defend ourselves, to seek revenge, or to look for human solutions. But David shows us a different response—he turns to God immediately.

He describes his situation clearly.

“Strangers have risen against me… violent men have sought my life…”

These are not distant enemies—these are people close enough to know him, people who have chosen to act against him. This kind of betrayal cuts deeper.

Yet David identifies the root issue:

“They have not set God before them.”

This connects directly to Psalm 53.

Those who reject God act without regard for truth, justice, or righteousness. Their actions are driven by self-interest, not by reverence for God.

But David does not stay focused on his enemies.

He shifts his focus to God.

“Behold, God is my helper…”

This is a declaration of confidence.

David does not say that God might help him—he says that God is his helper. His trust is not based on circumstances, but on God’s character.

He continues:

“The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”

This goes deeper than physical deliverance.

David recognizes that even in the midst of danger, God is sustaining him internally—giving him strength, stability, and endurance.

He then entrusts justice to God.

“He will recompense the evil to my foes…”

David does not take matters into his own hands. He trusts that God will deal with injustice rightly and in His time.

This is a key lesson.

When we try to take control, we often make things worse. But when we trust God, we allow Him to work in ways that are just and complete.

David ends with a commitment to worship:

“Willingly I will sacrifice to You… I will give thanks…”

Even before deliverance is fully realized, David chooses gratitude.

This is faith.

He trusts that God will deliver him, and he responds with worship in advance.

Psalm 54 shows us what it looks like to trust God in the face of betrayal:

  • Turn to God immediately
  • Trust Him as your helper
  • Rely on Him for strength
  • Leave justice in His hands
  • Respond with gratitude and worship

This is not a passive response—it is a deeply active trust in God.

Application:

  • Turn to God first when facing opposition or betrayal.
  • Trust God as your helper rather than relying solely on yourself.
  • Allow God to sustain you internally, not just change your circumstances.
  • Resist the urge to take revenge—trust God with justice.
  • Choose gratitude and worship, even before you see the outcome.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for being my helper and the sustainer of my soul. When I face opposition or betrayal, help me to turn to You first and trust in Your strength. Keep me from taking matters into my own hands, and help me to rely on Your justice. Fill my heart with gratitude and faith, even before I see the outcome. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Justice / Judgment, Miracles, Miracles, Repenting from Sin, Slow to Anger

Are We There Yet? (Exodus 11)

Leave a comment

What do you do when God makes it clear that time is running out?

Key Verse:
“The LORD said to Moses, ‘One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt; after that he will let you go from here.’” —Exodus 11:1 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 10, the plagues intensify, and Pharaoh continues his pattern of resistance, compromise, and temporary confession without true repentance. God repeatedly reveals His power, yet Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened.

Now in Exodus 11:1–10, God declares that one final plague is coming—one that will break Pharaoh’s resistance and bring about the release of His people. This chapter serves as both a warning and a preparation for what is about to unfold.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 11

The Last Plague

      1Now the LORD said to Moses, “One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt; after that he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out from here completely. 2“Speak now in the hearing of the people that each man ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold.” 3The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

      4Moses said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, 5and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well. 6‘Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again. 7‘But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8“All these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves before me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who follow you,’ and after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

      9Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; yet the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

Reflection on Exodus 11:1–10:
God begins with a clear declaration:

“One more plague…”

This marks a turning point.

Everything that has happened so far has been building to this moment. The warnings have been given. The demonstrations of power have been shown. The opportunities to respond have been extended.

Now the end is near.

God explains that after this final plague, Pharaoh will not only let the people go—he will drive them out completely.

This is important.

Pharaoh’s resistance will not end gradually. It will be broken decisively.

God also instructs the Israelites to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold. And something remarkable happens—the Egyptians respond favorably.

This reveals that God is working not only through judgment, but also through provision.

He is preparing His people not just to leave, but to leave with what they need.

Then Moses describes what is coming.

At midnight, the LORD will go out in the midst of Egypt, and every firstborn in the land will die—from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the lowest servant, even to the livestock.

This is the most severe judgment yet.

And it is specific.

It will affect every household in Egypt, bringing a cry unlike anything that has ever been heard.

Yet once again, there is a distinction.

“Against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark…”

God is making it unmistakably clear—He distinguishes between His people and those who oppose Him.

This final plague is not random destruction.

It is a decisive act of judgment and deliverance.

God is both:

  • bringing justice
  • fulfilling His promise
  • and delivering His people

Moses then tells Pharaoh’s servants that they will come to him, bow down, and urge the Israelites to leave.

This is a complete reversal.

The one who refused to listen will now be the one urging them to go.

Yet even after this warning, Pharaoh does not respond.

This is sobering.

Even when the end is clearly declared, a hardened heart can still resist.

God had given warning after warning. He had demonstrated His power again and again. But Pharaoh chose not to respond.

Now judgment is certain.

This passage reminds us that God is patient—but His patience has a purpose.

There comes a point when warning gives way to fulfillment.

For us, this is a call to take God’s word seriously.

When God speaks, it is not empty.
When He warns, it is not without purpose.

We are not meant to wait until the final moment to respond.

God calls us to respond now—while there is still opportunity.

Application:

  • Take God’s warnings seriously and do not delay your response.
  • Recognize that God’s patience is purposeful, but not endless.
  • Trust that God is both just and faithful to His promises.
  • Be encouraged that God provides for and protects His people.
  • Respond to God with humility and obedience while there is still time.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to take Your word seriously and respond when You speak. Keep me from delaying or ignoring Your warnings. Give me a humble and obedient heart that trusts in You. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Your justice, and Your provision. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, Obeying God, Submitted / Servant

Partial Obedience Is Not Enough (Exodus 10:1-12)

Leave a comment

When God speaks clearly, do you obey—or try to negotiate?

Key Verse:
“But he said to them, ‘No! Rather go now, the men among you, and serve the LORD, for that is what you desire.’” —Exodus 10:11 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 9, God continues to escalate the plagues, demonstrating His power while Pharaoh repeatedly hardens his heart. Even when Pharaoh confesses sin, his response proves temporary and insincere.

Now in Exodus 10:1–12, God reveals His purpose more clearly—these events are not only about freeing Israel, but about making His name known. At the same time, Pharaoh shifts again from resistance to attempted compromise.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 10:1-12

The Plague of Locusts

      1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them, 2and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.”

      3Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 4‘For if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. 5‘They shall cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land. They will also eat the rest of what has escaped—what is left to you from the hail—and they will eat every tree which sprouts for you out of the field. 6‘Then your houses shall be filled and the houses of all your servants and the houses of all the Egyptians, something which neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day that they came upon the earth until this day.’” And he turned and went out from Pharaoh. 7Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not realize that Egypt is destroyed?” 8So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve the LORD your God! Who are the ones that are going?” 9Moses said, “We shall go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we shall go, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.” 10Then he said to them, “Thus may the LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Take heed, for evil is in your mind. 11“Not so! Go now, the men among you, and serve the LORD, for that is what you desire.” So they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

      12Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt and eat every plant of the land, even all that the hail has left.”

Reflection on Exodus 10:1–12:
God begins by explaining something we have been seeing unfold.

“I have hardened his heart… that I may perform these signs… and that you may tell your son and your grandson…”

This is not random.

God is intentionally revealing His power so that His name will be known—not only in Egypt, but across generations. What is happening is meant to be remembered, retold, and understood.

God is making Himself unmistakably known.

Moses and Aaron again deliver the same message:

“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go…”

The issue is clearly identified—humility.

Pharaoh’s resistance is not about lack of information. It is about pride and refusal to submit.

At this point, something shifts among Pharaoh’s own servants.

They say to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go… Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?”

Even those around Pharaoh can now see the truth.

This is significant.

Sometimes others can recognize the consequences of our resistance before we are willing to admit it ourselves.

Pharaoh then calls Moses and Aaron back and appears ready to respond.

“Go, serve the LORD your God! Who are the ones that are going?”

This question reveals something important.

God had already made His command clear—all the people were to go. Pharaoh is not seeking clarity—he is preparing to limit obedience.

Moses answers plainly:

“We shall go with our young and our old… our sons and our daughters… our flocks and our herds…”

This is full obedience.

Nothing held back.
Nothing negotiated.

Pharaoh responds with refusal.

“Only the men may go…”

Here it is.

Compromise.

When God speaks clearly, He is not inviting negotiation—He is calling for obedience. Pharaoh had heard God’s command repeatedly, and by this point, the message was unmistakable. Yet instead of submitting, he attempts to redefine obedience.

He is willing to allow some obedience—but not full obedience.

This reveals a dangerous tendency.

When we do not want to fully obey God, we often try to adjust His commands to fit our comfort, our control, or our preferences. We may obey in part, while holding back what we do not want to surrender.

But partial obedience is still disobedience.

God does not call us to compromise with Him—He calls us to trust Him and obey fully.

Pharaoh’s compromise was not accepted.

And it did not lead to relief—it led to judgment. Immediately after refusing full obedience, God sends the locusts into the land. This makes the outcome clear: when God speaks plainly, compromise does not delay consequences—it invites them.

This passage calls us to examine our own response when God speaks.

Do we obey fully?
Or do we try to follow Him on our own terms?

God is not unclear.

The question is whether we are willing to submit.

Application:

  • When God speaks clearly, respond with full obedience.
  • Examine areas where you may be compromising instead of surrendering.
  • Recognize that partial obedience is not true obedience.
  • Guard against pride that resists submitting to God.
  • Trust that God’s commands are right, even when they are difficult.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to obey You fully and not hold back areas of my life. Reveal any place where I am trying to compromise instead of surrender. Give me a humble heart that responds to Your Word with trust and obedience. Strengthen me to follow You completely, without negotiation. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin

A Hardened Heart in the Face of Truth (Revelation 9:13-21)

Leave a comment

What would it take for someone to truly turn to God?

Key Verse:
“The rest of mankind… did not repent of the works of their hands…” —Revelation 9:20 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 9:1–12, the fifth trumpet brings intense torment upon those without God’s seal, showing a shift from environmental judgment to direct human suffering.

Now in Revelation 9:13–21, the sixth trumpet sounds, bringing even greater devastation. Yet the most striking part of this passage is not just the judgment—but the response of the people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 9:13-21

The Sixth Trumpet—Army from the East

      13Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths. 19For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.

      20The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

Reflection on Revelation 9:13–21:
When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice comes from the altar before God, and four angels are released—angels who have been prepared for this exact moment.

This reminds us again:

Nothing is random.
Nothing is out of control.

Even the timing of judgment is precise and purposeful.

These angels are released to lead an army of unimaginable size—two hundred million. The imagery that follows is overwhelming: fire, smoke, and brimstone proceed from them, bringing destruction to a third of mankind.

This is an escalation beyond anything we have seen so far.

The scale is massive.
The impact is undeniable.

Yet the most sobering part of this passage is not the judgment itself—it is the response.

“The rest of mankind… did not repent.”

Despite everything:

  • the warnings
  • the suffering
  • the clear demonstration of God’s power

People still refuse to turn to Him.

Instead, they continue in the same patterns:

  • idolatry
  • worship of false things
  • immoral living
  • violence
  • deception

This reveals something deeply important.

The problem is not lack of evidence.

The problem is the heart.

Just as we saw with Pharaoh in Exodus, people can witness powerful demonstrations of God and still refuse to submit. Hardness of heart is not broken by intensity of circumstances alone.

This passage challenges a common belief:

“If things got bad enough, people would turn to God.”

But Scripture shows that this is not necessarily true.

Without a willing heart, even the clearest warnings can be ignored.

This is why repentance is not just about reacting to circumstances—it is about a change of heart and direction.

God has been:

  • revealing Himself
  • giving warnings
  • showing restraint
  • providing opportunities to respond

Yet many continue to choose their own way.

This is both sobering and instructive.

It reminds us that we should not wait for circumstances to force change. The longer a heart resists, the more fixed it can become.

For us, this passage is a call to examine our own response.

Are we responding to God now?

Or are we delaying, assuming there will always be another opportunity?

God’s patience is real—but it is not endless.

He calls us to respond while there is still time.

Application:

  • Do not wait for circumstances to force you to turn to God.
  • Recognize that hardness of heart can persist even in severe situations.
  • Examine areas where you may be resisting God’s truth.
  • Turn from anything that draws you away from Him.
  • Respond to God’s call with humility and repentance now.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to have a soft and responsive heart toward You. Keep me from resisting Your truth or delaying my response. Reveal anything in my life that needs to change, and give me the strength to turn fully to You. Thank You for Your patience and Your mercy. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Justice / Judgment, Merciful, Repenting from Sin

Warnings Ignored (Revelation 9:1-12)

Leave a comment

What happens when people experience God’s warnings—but still refuse to turn to Him?

Key Verse:
“They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth… but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” —Revelation 9:4 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 8, the first four trumpet judgments are released, affecting the earth, sea, waters, and heavens. These judgments are partial, serving as warnings and opportunities for repentance.

Now in Revelation 9:1–12, the fifth trumpet sounds, and the nature of judgment changes. Instead of impacting creation broadly, the focus shifts directly to people—bringing intense torment rather than immediate destruction.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 9:1-12

The Fifth Trumpet—the Bottomless Pit

      1Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. 2He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. 3Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. 6And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them.

      7The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. 9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. 10They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. 11They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.

      12The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.

Reflection on Revelation 9:1–12:
When the fifth trumpet sounds, a star fallen from heaven is given the key to the bottomless pit. This is not merely a natural event—it represents a spiritual release.

The pit is opened, and smoke rises like a great furnace, darkening the air. From the smoke come locust-like creatures, unlike anything natural. They are given power not to kill, but to torment.

This is a shift.

Previous judgments affected the environment. Now the focus is on human suffering.

But even here, there is restraint.

They are told not to harm the earth or those who belong to God—those who have His seal. This again shows that God distinguishes His people and protects them, even in the midst of judgment.

The torment is severe.

People will seek death but will not find it. They will long to escape the suffering, but it will not come. This is not just physical—it reflects deep anguish and distress.

This passage reveals something sobering about judgment.

It is not only about destruction—it is also about exposure.

What is hidden is brought into the open. What people have chosen spiritually begins to manifest in a more visible and painful way.

The imagery of the locusts is intense and symbolic—power, fear, and overwhelming force. They are described with elements of battle, authority, and terror, showing that this is not random chaos, but controlled judgment.

And yet, even in this, there are limits:

  • A set period of time (five months)
  • A clear boundary (they cannot kill)
  • A defined target (those without God’s seal)

God remains fully in control.

This passage also connects back to earlier themes.

God warned.
God gave opportunity.
God showed restraint.

Now judgment intensifies.

But what is most striking comes after this section—people still do not repent.

This reveals a deep truth:

Suffering alone does not produce repentance.

Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart in Exodus, people can experience severe consequences and still refuse to turn to God.

The issue is not external circumstances—it is the condition of the heart.

For us, this passage is a warning and a call to reflection.

We are not meant to wait for increasing pressure to turn to God.

We are called to respond now.

God’s warnings are acts of mercy.

But if they are ignored, the consequences grow more severe.

Application:

  • Respond to God’s warnings before consequences intensify.
  • Recognize that God distinguishes and protects those who belong to Him.
  • Do not assume that suffering will automatically lead to repentance.
  • Examine your heart—are you truly submitted to God?
  • Trust that God is in control, even in the midst of judgment.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to respond to You with a willing and obedient heart. Keep me from delaying or ignoring Your warnings. Thank You for Your protection and Your mercy. Teach me to trust You and to walk in submission to Your will. Strengthen my heart to follow You faithfully. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Justice / Judgment

Trusting God with Injustice (Ecclesiastes 3:16-22)

Leave a comment

When you see injustice in the world, do you trust that God will make it right?

Key Verse:
“God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man, for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.” —Ecclesiastes 3:17 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 3:1–15, Solomon teaches that God appoints the seasons of life and that everything has its proper time under His authority.

Now in Ecclesiastes 3:16–22, Solomon turns to a difficult reality—injustice. Even in places where righteousness should prevail, wickedness is often found. This raises an important question: if God is in control, why does injustice exist?

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

 16Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 17I said to myself, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every matter and for every deed is there. 18I said to myself concerning the sons of men, “God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” 19For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. 20All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. 21Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? 22I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 3:16–22:
Solomon observes something troubling.

“In the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.”

This is deeply relatable.

We expect justice in courts, fairness in leadership, and righteousness among people—but instead, we often see corruption, ظلم, and selfishness. Even systems designed for good can become places where wrong prevails.

This can lead to confusion and discouragement.

If God is sovereign over time and seasons, as Solomon just taught, then how do we understand injustice?

Solomon answers with a shift in perspective.

“God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man…”

This is key.

Justice may not always be visible in the moment—but it is not absent. It is delayed.

God has appointed a time not only for seasons of life, but also for judgment. Every act, whether hidden or seen, will be brought into account.

This reminds us that our view is limited.

We see the present.
God sees the whole.

Solomon then reflects on humanity itself. He notes that both man and animals share a similar fate in death—both return to dust. This can feel unsettling, even discouraging.

But this observation is meant to humble us.

It reminds us that life “under the sun,” viewed only from an earthly perspective, can seem temporary and even meaningless. Without God, everything appears to end the same way.

This connects back to earlier themes—when we focus only on what we can see, life feels empty.

But when we include God in the picture, everything changes.

Solomon concludes that we should rejoice in our work and in what God has given us. This is not a dismissal of injustice—it is a recognition that while we wait for God’s final justice, we are called to live faithfully in the present.

We are not in control of everything.

We cannot fix every injustice.

But we can trust the One who will.

This passage calls us to hold two truths at the same time:

Injustice exists now.
God will bring perfect justice in His time.

And in the middle of that tension, we are called to trust Him.

Application:

  • Do not be discouraged when you see injustice—God sees it as well.
  • Trust that God will bring perfect judgment in His timing.
  • Avoid becoming cynical or hardened by the brokenness around you.
  • Focus on living faithfully in the season God has given you.
  • Place your hope in God’s ultimate justice, not temporary outcomes.

Closing Prayer:
Father, when I see injustice around me, help me to trust in You. Remind me that You are just and that You will bring all things into account in Your perfect timing. Keep my heart from discouragement or bitterness, and help me to live faithfully in the place You have put me. Strengthen my trust in Your justice and Your plan. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.