Category Archives: Character of God

Trusting God When You Cannot See the Whole Path (Exodus 13-14)

How do you keep trusting God when the path ahead does not make sense and the obstacles seem impossible?

Key Verse:
“The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day… and in a pillar of fire by night.” —Exodus 13:21 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 13–14, Israel begins its journey out of Egypt. God leads His people through the wilderness, calls them to remember His faithfulness, and then brings them to what appears to be an impossible situation at the Red Sea.

These chapters form a powerful unit centered on God’s guidance, His presence, His salvation, and the faith required to follow Him when the way forward is not yet visible.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 13-14

Reflection on Exodus 13–14:
One of the most encouraging truths in these chapters is that God does not simply deliver His people and then leave them to figure things out on their own.

He leads them.

As Israel leaves Egypt, God does not choose the shortest route. Instead, He leads them through a different path because He knows what they are prepared to face and what they still need to learn.

From a human perspective, the shorter route would have made more sense.

But God saw the full picture.

This teaches an important lesson for us.

God’s guidance is not always about the fastest path, the easiest path, or the most logical path from our perspective.

Sometimes what feels like a detour is actually God’s protection.
Sometimes what feels like a delay is actually God’s preparation.

The Israelites could not see what God saw.

Neither can we.

Yet God gave them something more important than a map.

He gave them His presence.

The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night reminded Israel that God was with them continually. His presence did not depart when the journey became difficult.

That truth becomes crucial in Exodus 14.

After following God’s leading, Israel suddenly finds itself trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army.

Imagine how confusing this must have felt.

The people had obeyed.
They had followed God’s direction.
And now they appeared to be in greater danger than before.

How often does that happen in our own lives?

We follow God faithfully and then encounter circumstances we do not understand. We may begin to wonder:

  • Did I misunderstand God?
  • Has He forgotten me?
  • Why would He lead me here?

Yet the Red Sea was not evidence that God had abandoned His people.

It was evidence that God was still working.

In fact, God Himself had led them to that exact place.

The obstacle was not a mistake.
It was part of His plan.

This is one of the great lessons of Exodus 13–14:

A difficult circumstance is not necessarily a sign that we are outside God’s will.

Sometimes it is precisely where God intends to reveal His power.

At the sea, Moses tells the people:

“Do not fear. Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD.”

Before Israel could move forward, they needed to learn to trust.

Then comes another important lesson.

God tells them:

“Go forward.”

There is a time to wait.
There is a time to stand firm.
And there is a time to move forward in faith.

The people could not yet see the completed path through the sea, but they were called to trust the God who could make one.

And He did.

The sea parted.
A path appeared where none existed.
The army that once seemed unstoppable was defeated.
The people who once lived as slaves walked through to freedom.

The God who guided them was also the God who saved them.

These chapters remind us that God’s presence and God’s deliverance are inseparable.

He does not merely point the way from a distance.

He walks with His people through the journey.

And often, the greatest growth in our faith comes when we learn to trust Him:

  • when the path seems longer than expected
  • when obstacles seem impossible
  • when the future feels uncertain
  • and when we cannot yet see how God will provide

The same God who led Israel through the wilderness and across the sea still leads His people today.

He may not reveal every detail of the journey.

But He is always faithful to guide, protect, and accomplish His purposes.

Application:

  • Trust God’s guidance even when His path does not make immediate sense.
  • Remember that delays and detours may be part of God’s preparation.
  • Focus on God’s presence rather than demanding complete visibility of the future.
  • Stand firm when God calls you to wait and move forward when He calls you to act.
  • Remember that the God who guides you is also the God who delivers you.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for faithfully leading Your people and for continuing to guide us today. Help me to trust You when the path seems uncertain, when the journey feels longer than expected, and when obstacles appear impossible. Remind me that Your presence is with me and that You are always working according to Your perfect plan. Give me the faith to follow where You lead and the courage to move forward when You call me to act. 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.

God Makes a Way (Exodus 14:15-31)

What do you do when God tells you to move forward before you can fully see the way ahead?

Key Verse:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.’” —Exodus 14:15 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 14:1–14, Israel found itself trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s approaching army. Fear spread quickly among the people, but Moses called them to stand firm and trust God’s salvation.

Now in Exodus 14:15–31, God acts powerfully to make a way where none seemed possible. Israel moves forward through the sea while God defeats the Egyptian army behind them.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 14:15-31

      15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. 16“As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. 17“As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18“Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.”

      19The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. 20So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night.

      21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. 22The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. 24At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. 25He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”

      26Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained. 29But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

      30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.

Reflection on Exodus 14:15–31:
After telling the people to stand firm and trust God, the situation reaches a turning point.

God says:
“Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.”

This is significant.

There are moments in our walk with God when we are called to:

  • wait
  • trust
  • remain still before Him

But there are also moments when faith requires movement.

Israel still could not see the full path ahead.
The sea was still there.
The danger was still real.

Yet God calls them to move forward before the way is fully visible.

This is often how faith works.

We usually want:

  • complete clarity
  • full explanations
  • guaranteed outcomes

before taking a step.

But God frequently asks us to obey Him before we can fully see what He is about to do.

As Moses stretches out his hand, God parts the sea through a strong east wind, creating dry ground in the middle of what once appeared impossible.

What had looked like a dead end becomes a path of deliverance.

This is one of the defining moments in all of Scripture.

Israel does not save itself through strength, strategy, or military power.

God makes the way.

Again we see a major Exodus theme:
salvation belongs to the LORD.

The pillar of cloud also moves between Israel and Egypt.

For one side there is darkness.
For the other there is light and protection.

God continues distinguishing His people while restraining their enemies.

Then comes the incredible image of Israel walking through the sea on dry ground with walls of water on both sides.

Imagine the mixture of emotions:

  • awe
  • fear
  • uncertainty
  • amazement

Each step required trust.

And that is true in our own lives as well.

Often God does not reveal the entire journey at once.
He gives enough light for the next step.

The Egyptians pursue into the sea, but God throws their army into confusion. Their strength, chariots, and military power prove useless against Him.

What seemed unstoppable is suddenly powerless before God.

This reminds us that earthly power is always limited before the authority of God.

The chapter concludes with the waters returning and the Egyptian army destroyed.

For the first time, Israel is completely free from Pharaoh’s control.

The people then respond with fear of the LORD and belief in Him and His servant Moses.

Notice the progression:

  • fear of circumstances
  • trust in God
  • worshipful reverence

God did not merely rescue Israel from danger.

He was teaching them to trust Him.

This passage speaks deeply into the moments when we face situations that seem impossible.

Sometimes God brings us to places where:

  • our own strength is insufficient
  • the way forward is unclear
  • and we must choose whether to trust Him fully

The Red Sea reminds us that God specializes in making a way where none appears to exist.

And often, faith means taking the next step before the waters part completely.

Application:

  • Obey God even when you cannot fully see the outcome ahead.
  • Trust that God can make a way through impossible situations.
  • Remember that salvation and deliverance ultimately come from God, not human strength.
  • Take the next faithful step God places before you.
  • Allow difficult situations to deepen your trust in God rather than weaken it.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You when the way ahead feels uncertain or impossible. Teach me to move forward in faith even before I fully understand what You are doing. Remind me that You are able to make a way where none seems to exist. Strengthen my heart to obey You step by step and to rest in Your power and faithfulness. 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.

When There Seems to Be No Way Forward (Exodus 14:1-14)

What do you do when it feels like every direction around you is blocked?

Key Verse:
“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today…’” —Exodus 14:13 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 13:17–22, God leads Israel through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud and fire rather than by the shortest route. Though the path seemed unusual, God’s presence remained continually with His people.

Now in Exodus 14:1–14, Israel finds itself trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s approaching army. What appears to be an impossible situation becomes another opportunity for God to reveal His power, faithfulness, and salvation.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 14:1-14

Pharaoh in Pursuit

      1Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. 3“For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

      5When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 7and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. 9Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

      10As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? 12“Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

The Sea Is Divided

      13But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”

Reflection on Exodus 14:1–14:
At first glance, Israel’s situation appears disastrous.

They are trapped.

The Red Sea stands before them, while Pharaoh and the Egyptian army pursue from behind. The people quickly become terrified and begin to panic.

And from a human perspective, their fear makes sense.

There seems to be no escape route.
No visible solution.
No logical way forward.

This is one of the most important moments in Exodus because it reveals how quickly fear can overwhelm people after deliverance.

God had already:

  • sent the plagues
  • protected them through Passover
  • brought them out of Egypt
  • guided them visibly by cloud and fire

Yet when a new crisis appears, the people immediately begin doubting.

Fear has a way of shrinking our perspective until we see only the obstacle in front of us.

The Israelites even begin speaking as though Egypt would have been better than freedom:
“Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?”

This reveals an important spiritual danger.

Sometimes people prefer familiar bondage over uncertain faith.

Freedom sounds wonderful until it requires trusting God through uncomfortable situations.

But the problem was not that God had abandoned them.

In fact, God Himself had led them to this exact place.

This is crucial.

The difficult situation was not evidence of God’s absence—it was part of His plan.

God tells Moses that He will be honored through Pharaoh and that Egypt will know that He is the LORD.

Again we see a repeated Exodus theme:
God is revealing Himself through these events.

Moses then gives one of the most powerful statements in Scripture:

“Do not fear. Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD…”

The people wanted immediate action, explanations, or escape plans.

But first, they needed faith.

Notice what Moses does not say:

  • panic
  • run
  • return to Egypt
  • solve this yourselves

Instead:

  • do not fear
  • stand firm
  • watch what God will do

This does not mean God’s people never act. Soon they will move forward in obedience. But before action comes trust.

The passage ends with another powerful reminder:
“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”

Israel’s salvation would not come through their own strength.

It would come through God.

This points forward to an even greater salvation.

Just as Israel could not save itself at the Red Sea, humanity cannot save itself from sin through human effort alone. Salvation ultimately comes through what God provides.

This passage speaks deeply into the moments when we feel trapped:

  • difficult circumstances
  • uncertainty
  • fear about the future
  • situations beyond our control

Sometimes God allows us to reach places where our own strength is clearly insufficient so that we learn to trust Him more fully.

The Red Sea moment reminds us:
what appears impossible to us is not impossible for God.

Application:

  • Trust God even when circumstances seem impossible or unclear.
  • Remember God’s past faithfulness when fear begins to rise.
  • Resist the temptation to return to old forms of bondage out of fear.
  • Stand firm in faith rather than panicking when difficulties come.
  • Look to God as the true source of salvation and deliverance.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You when I feel trapped or overwhelmed by circumstances. Remind me that You are still present and still working even when I cannot see the solution. Strengthen my faith to stand firm rather than fear, and teach me to rely on Your salvation rather than my own strength. Thank You for always being faithful. 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.

Keep God’s Commandments AND Hold to the Testimony of Christ

Revelation 12 lays out some key fundamentals in the spiritual warfare between Satan and YHWH’s people in some attention-grabbing visualizations. Notice you will find no labels of “Jewish” or “Christian”. These labels are not always meaningful as many call themselves by these names but do not follow YHWH or do not hold to the testimony of Yeshua. In verse 17 we see that the key is not what label someone claims, but if you actually “keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus”.

It seems obvious that the Jewish people do not hold to the testimony of Yeshua. However, it may only be slightly less obvious that most who identify as “Christian”, holding to the testimony of Christ, do not keep the whole of the commandments of YHWH. Common Christian teaching holds to some commandments and dismisses many others. It is not simply about “the 10 commandments”. There is so much more to be learned and followed in studying the foundational books of the Bible, the Torah (written by Moses), and the writings of the prophets. For many, they do well to genuinely focus on starting to really live out the 10 commandments in their lives. This is a good place to begin.

I encourage Jewish people to seek Messiah in Yeshua. I encourage Christians to seek to study the Bible and challenge to deepen our understanding of the Hebrew roots of our faith and the fullness of the wonderful things in the law of YHWH.  (Focused Ministries – Understanding the Hebrew Roots of Christianity)

Revelation 12

The Woman, Israel

     1A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

The Red Dragon, Satan

     3Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

The Male Child, Christ

     5And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

The Angel, Michael

     7And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, 8and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 12“For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”

      13And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. 16But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. 17So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help open my eyes to both the testimony of Yeshua and obedience to all Your commandments. Help me fully embrace You and Your ways and not only do so in part as so many do. I want to do more than just claim Your name and go to church. I want to live my life for You. I know I fall short, but please help me. Amen.  

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


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.

Let Fear Give Way to Praise (Psalm 57)

Where do you run when life feels overwhelming and danger surrounds you?

Key Verse:
“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.” —Psalm 57:1 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 57 was written by David when he fled from Saul into the cave (1 Samuel 22:1; 24:1–3). David was under pressure, hunted by enemies, and living in uncertainty.

Following Psalm 56, which emphasized trusting God in the midst of fear, Psalm 57 continues that theme but shifts more strongly toward worship, confidence, and praise in the middle of hardship.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 57

Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors.

For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

     1Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.

      2I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.

      3He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me.

Selah.

God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

      4My soul is among lions;
I must lie among those who breathe forth fire,
Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows
And their tongue a sharp sword.

      5Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

      6They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They dug a pit before me;
They themselves have fallen into the midst of it.

Selah.

      7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!

      8Awake, my glory!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

      9I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.

      10For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens
And Your truth to the clouds.

      11Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Reflection on Psalm 57:
David begins this psalm crying out for mercy.

He is still in danger.
His circumstances are still difficult.
The threat has not disappeared.

Yet immediately, David declares where his refuge is found:

“In the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge…”

This is a beautiful picture of protection, safety, and closeness to God.

David is not placing his ultimate confidence in:

  • caves
  • hiding places
  • military strength
  • or human solutions

His true refuge is God Himself.

This is important because it reminds us that peace is not ultimately found in perfect circumstances. Real security comes from resting in the presence and care of God.

David says he will cry out to “God Most High,” the One who accomplishes all things for him.

Even while hiding in a cave, David believes God is still sovereign and still working.

This is a powerful expression of faith.

It is easy to trust God after deliverance comes.
It is harder to trust Him while still waiting in the cave.

David describes enemies surrounding him:

  • people whose words wound like spears and arrows
  • those seeking to trap and destroy him

Yet the psalm begins shifting.

Instead of remaining focused entirely on fear and danger, David turns his attention upward:

“Be exalted above the heavens, O God…”

This statement appears twice in the psalm and becomes its anchor.

David chooses worship in the middle of trouble.

This is one of the most powerful lessons in Psalm 57.

Worship is not reserved only for easy seasons.

David praises God before the situation changes.

He says:
“My heart is steadfast…”

Not because life is easy.
Not because danger is gone.

But because his confidence is rooted in God.

Then David says something remarkable:
“Awake, my glory… I will awaken the dawn!”

Instead of being consumed by fear through the night, David stirs himself toward praise.

The psalm ends not with despair, but with worship and confidence in God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness.

This progression is deeply encouraging.

David begins hiding in a cave.
He ends exalting God above the heavens.

What changed?

His focus shifted from the size of his danger to the greatness of God.

Psalm 57 reminds us that even in seasons of fear, uncertainty, and waiting:

  • God remains faithful
  • God remains worthy of worship
  • and God remains our refuge

Sometimes faith is not denying the difficulty around us.

Sometimes faith is choosing to worship while still in the middle of it.

Application:

  • Run to God as your refuge when fear and pressure rise.
  • Choose worship even before circumstances improve.
  • Remind yourself regularly of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty.
  • Refuse to let fear become the center of your focus.
  • Develop a steadfast heart rooted in trust and praise.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for being my refuge and shelter in difficult seasons. Help me to trust You when fear and uncertainty surround me. Teach me to worship You even while I am still waiting for deliverance. Strengthen my heart to remain steadfast and focused on Your faithfulness rather than my circumstances. 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.

Trusting God When the Full Picture Is Hidden (Revelation 10)

What do you do when God reveals enough to trust Him—but not enough to fully understand everything?

Key Verse:
“Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” —Revelation 10:9 NASB

Background Context:
After the intense trumpet judgments of Revelation 8–9, Revelation 10 provides a pause in the middle of escalating judgment. Rather than focusing primarily on destruction, the chapter shifts attention toward God’s authority, His unfolding plan, and the continued mission of proclaiming His truth.

John encounters a mighty angel, hears mysterious thunderous voices, and receives a little scroll with instructions that carry both sweetness and bitterness.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 10

The Angel and the Little Book

      1I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire; 2and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; 3and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices. 4When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.” 5Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, 6and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN ITAND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN ITAND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer, 7but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

      8Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” 9So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”

Reflection on Revelation 10:
After the heaviness of Revelation 9, Revelation 10 changes the pace dramatically.

John sees a mighty angel descending from heaven:

  • clothed with a cloud
  • a rainbow over his head
  • face shining like the sun
  • feet like pillars of fire

The imagery reflects majesty, authority, and the glory of God.

The angel places one foot on the sea and one on the land, symbolizing authority over the whole earth. Then he cries out, and seven thunders respond.

But something unexpected happens.

John is told not to write down what the seven thunders said.

This is important.

Not everything is revealed.

Even in Revelation—a book filled with prophecy and disclosure—God still withholds certain details.

This reminds us that God does not give humanity complete knowledge of everything He is doing. There are mysteries that remain under His authority and wisdom.

That can be difficult for us.

We often want:

  • complete explanations
  • precise timelines
  • full understanding

But faith often requires trusting God even when we do not have every answer.

The angel then declares:
“There will be delay no longer…”

God’s plan is moving toward fulfillment.

What has been unfolding through generations is advancing toward completion exactly according to God’s timing.

Again we see a theme repeated throughout Scripture:
God’s timing is deliberate and purposeful.

John is then told to take the little scroll and eat it.

In his mouth it is sweet like honey, but in his stomach it becomes bitter.

This powerful picture reflects the nature of God’s message.

God’s truth is sweet because:

  • it comes from Him
  • it reveals His purposes
  • it brings hope and salvation

But it is also bitter because:

  • it includes judgment
  • it exposes sin
  • it involves suffering and difficult realities

This tension appears throughout Scripture.

Following God brings joy and life, yet faithfully proclaiming His truth can also involve hardship, rejection, and grief over sin and judgment.

The prophet Ezekiel experienced something similar in Ezekiel 2–3 when he was told to eat a scroll containing God’s message before speaking to the people.

John’s final instruction is important:
“You must prophesy again…”

Even after seeing terrifying judgment and difficult truths, the mission continues.

God’s message still needs to be proclaimed.

This chapter reminds us that:

  • we will not always understand everything God is doing
  • God’s truth contains both comfort and warning
  • and followers of Christ are still called to remain faithful and continue speaking truth

Faith is not built on having every answer.

Faith is built on trusting the One who holds the answers.

Application:

  • Trust God even when you do not fully understand His plan.
  • Accept both the comforting and challenging parts of God’s truth.
  • Remain faithful to God’s calling even when it becomes difficult.
  • Remember that God’s timing is purposeful and never out of control.
  • Continue seeking and proclaiming truth with humility and obedience.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You even when I do not fully understand what You are doing. Teach me to accept both the sweetness and the difficulty of Your truth. Strengthen me to remain faithful and obedient in every season. Thank You that Your plans are wise, purposeful, and completely under Your control. 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.

The Ultimate Act of Love: Reflections on Memorial Day

As we recognize Memorial Day, it is a good time to reflect on and appreciate those who have laid down their lives for the rest of us to be able to live free in the United States of America. It is a good time to pray for those who are actively serving, have served, or are surviving family of those who have died in service to our country. God gave us this unique nation based on Judeo-Christian values and heritage. Many have served and died protecting it.

Yeshua demonstrated and taught that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. He laid down His life for all those who choose to follow Him and submit to Him. We can be thankful for sure that our sins can be forgiven because of Him. We could never pay that debt.

Yeshua also encouraged His disciples to show this kind of love for one another as well… to lay down their life for one another. So, too, are we encouraged to lay down our lives for one another. At times, we may face a situation where we literally must make that choice in an instant. Other times we lay down our lives by how we live for others rather than living for ourselves.

As we read, we should not overlook that Yeshua said that “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” This is clearly important, but a different context in our relationship with Him vs. relationships with each other that we may consider friends. We should obey Yeshua to be His “friend”. We do not need to obey each other to be friends.

John 15:12-17

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17“This I command you, that you love one another.

Take time to pray for those who risk their lives or lose them for others. Pray also for their families. Of course, not everyone in uniform is righteous or acts with righteous motives, but many have sacrificed none the less to protect our country and our freedom. Pray also for the leadership in our government so that they would lead well and not recklessly. Further, pray for the people of our nation that they would hold in high regard those that serve to protect our nation and risk their lives to do so.

Take time to also pause and reflect on our Savior, Yeshua, who laid down his life for us so we could be forgiven and reconciled with the Father. Give thanks to him. Do not let that offer be wasted. Rather, submit to him, turn from your sin, and seek him. Let him be Lord of your life. You will find greater joy and peace in this world and after.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You that You sent Yeshua to lay down His life for me, so that I could be forgiven and reconciled to You. Thank You for the people that have sacrificed personally to protect and build up our nation as a free nation built on individual liberty and not dominated by tyrants or a ruling class that controls the people. Please help protect and maintain that nation based on Your principles and ideals from those who would change it for something else, like socialism or simply giving up more and more individual freedom to government control. Please raise up the righteous and bring restoration to the land that we would be a light for the world to bring You glory. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ


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.

Remember What God Has Done (Exodus 13:1-16)

After God brings you through something difficult, how do you keep from forgetting Him once the season changes?

Key Verse:
“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth…” —Exodus 13:9 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 12, God delivers Israel from Egypt through the Passover and brings them out exactly as He promised. The people leave bondage behind and begin their journey toward the land God promised them.

Now in Exodus 13:1–16, God immediately gives instructions about remembrance, consecration, and teaching future generations. Deliverance was never meant to become a forgotten event—it was meant to shape how His people lived going forward.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 13:1-16

Consecration of the Firstborn

      1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.”

      3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. 4“On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. 5“It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. 6“For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD7“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

      11“Now when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you, 12you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD13“But every first offspring of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16“So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Reflection on Exodus 13:1–16:
After bringing Israel out of Egypt, God immediately tells them to remember.

This is significant.

God knows how quickly people can forget His faithfulness once the crisis has passed. In moments of desperation, people often cry out to God intensely—but once deliverance comes, it becomes easy to move on and slowly lose sight of what He has done.

So God establishes reminders.

He tells Israel to consecrate every firstborn to Him because He spared their firstborn during Passover. This was meant to create a continual reminder that their deliverance came from God alone.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is also reaffirmed—not simply as ritual, but as remembrance.

Again and again, God emphasizes:

  • remember this day
  • teach your children
  • tell future generations
  • keep this before you

This reveals something important about spiritual life.

Faith is not sustained by occasional emotional moments alone.

It must be intentionally remembered and reinforced.

God was building rhythms of remembrance into the lives of His people so they would not drift spiritually after deliverance.

Moses repeatedly says:
“It is because of what the LORD did for me…”

This makes the deliverance personal.

Not just:

  • what God did historically
  • what God did for the nation
  • what God did for others

But:
“What God did for me.”

This passage also shows that deliverance leads to consecration.

God did not rescue His people merely so they could continue living exactly the same way they had before.

They now belonged to Him in a special way.

The firstborn being set apart symbolized that their lives were now connected to God’s purposes and ownership.

This principle still matters today.

God’s work in our lives is not meant to produce temporary gratitude alone—it is meant to produce transformed living.

We also see repeated emphasis on future generations.

Parents were to explain:

  • why these practices existed
  • what God had done
  • and why it mattered

Faith was meant to be shared intentionally.

This passage challenges us with an important question:

What are we doing to remember God’s faithfulness?

Because without intentional remembrance:

  • gratitude fades
  • spiritual complacency grows
  • and people slowly drift

God knew Israel would need reminders.

And so do we.

The moments where God has carried us, delivered us, provided for us, and changed us should not become distant memories. They should shape:

  • our worship
  • our obedience
  • our identity
  • and the way we teach others

Deliverance was not the end of the story.

It was the beginning of a life centered on remembering and following God.

Application:

  • Regularly remember and reflect on what God has done in your life.
  • Build intentional habits that keep your focus on God’s faithfulness.
  • Allow God’s deliverance to lead to deeper obedience and surrender.
  • Share God’s faithfulness with the next generation and those around you.
  • Guard against spiritual forgetfulness after difficult seasons pass.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me never to forget Your faithfulness and the ways You have carried me through difficult seasons. Teach me to remember what You have done and to let those memories shape how I live today. Help me to walk in obedience, gratitude, and trust, and give me opportunities to share Your faithfulness with others. 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.