Category Archives: Character of God

Discerning / Judging, False Prophets / Teachers, Guide, Holy / Set Apart, Love, Obeying God

Love That Walks in Truth (2 John)

Can love exist without truth — or does love lose its meaning when truth is abandoned?

Key Verse:
“And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” —2 John 1:6 NASB

Background Context:
2 John is a short but urgent letter written by the apostle John to “the chosen lady and her children,” likely referring to a local church and its members. John writes as a shepherd concerned for the spiritual well-being of believers living in a time when false teachers were actively spreading deception about Jesus Christ.

This letter builds directly on the themes of 1 John, emphasizing that love and truth must remain inseparable. John encourages believers to walk in obedience while warning them not to support or welcome those who distort the truth of Christ.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

2 John

Walk According to His Commandments

      1The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

      4I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

      7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

      12Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.

      13The children of your chosen sister greet you.

Reflection on 2 John:
John begins by affirming his love for the church — a love grounded in truth. This is not emotional attachment or sentimentality, but love shaped and sustained by God’s revealed truth. John makes it clear that truth is not optional for believers; it is foundational to Christian fellowship.

He defines love plainly: love is walking according to God’s commandments. This echoes Yeshua’s own teaching that love for God is demonstrated through obedience. Love is not defined by cultural standards or personal feelings, but by faithful submission to God’s Word.

John then turns to a strong warning. Many deceivers have gone out into the world, denying core truths about Jesus Christ. John instructs believers not to extend hospitality or endorsement to those who promote false teaching. This is not a call to cruelty, but to discernment. Supporting false teachers — even in the name of love — makes one complicit in spreading deception.

This instruction challenges modern assumptions. Love does not mean affirming error. Love does not require tolerance of lies. True love protects God’s people from being led astray and remains faithful to truth even when it is uncomfortable.

John also emphasizes boundaries. Fellowship is built on shared truth. When truth is rejected, fellowship cannot remain intact. Refusal to support false teaching is not unloving — it is obedience.

The letter closes with a reminder of personal connection and fellowship. John prefers face-to-face encouragement rather than endless words. Love expressed in truth flourishes best in real, faithful relationships.

2 John reminds us that walking in truth is an act of love — toward God, toward the church, and toward those at risk of deception.

Application:

  • Define love biblically. Love is demonstrated through obedience to God’s commands.

  • Walk in truth consistently. Truth is the foundation of Christian fellowship.

  • Practice discernment. Not every message claiming to be from God is true.

  • Set healthy boundaries. Love does not require supporting false teaching.

  • Protect the body of Christ. Guard against deception with wisdom and faithfulness.

  • Value faithful fellowship. Truth-filled relationships strengthen spiritual joy.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing truth that anchors our faith and shapes our love. Help me walk in obedience, guided by Your Word rather than cultural pressure. Give me discernment to recognize error, courage to refuse compromise, and humility to love others according to Your truth. May my life reflect faithfulness to You and protection for Your people. 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, Dreams, Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Patience, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility

Prepared in the Silence (Genesis 41:1–36)

What if the long season of waiting was not wasted time, but preparation for the moment God would finally speak?

Key Verse:
“It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” —Genesis 41:16 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 41 opens two full years after Joseph was forgotten in prison. Pharaoh is troubled by dreams no one in Egypt can interpret. When the chief cupbearer finally remembers Joseph, Joseph is summoned from prison, cleaned, and brought before Pharaoh.

What follows is not just an interpretation of dreams, but a revelation of God’s sovereign plan for Egypt and surrounding nations. Joseph, once a prisoner, is now positioned to speak truth to the most powerful man in the land.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 41:1–37

Pharaoh’s Dream

      1Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. 2And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass. 3Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. 6Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. 7The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8Now in the morning his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

      9Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of my own offenses. 10“Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker. 11“We had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12“Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream. 13“And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.”

Joseph Interprets

14Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh. 15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 17So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile; 18and behold, seven cows, fat and sleek came up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the marsh grass. 19“Lo, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such as I had never seen for ugliness in all the land of Egypt; 20and the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows. 21“Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had devoured them, for they were just as ugly as before. Then I awoke. 22“I saw also in my dream, and behold, seven ears, full and good, came up on a single stalk; 23and lo, seven ears, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them; 24and the thin ears swallowed the seven good ears. Then I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

      25Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26“The seven good cows are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one and the same. 27“The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven thin ears scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine. 28“It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29“Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming in all the land of Egypt; 30and after them seven years of famine will come, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will ravage the land. 31“So the abundance will be unknown in the land because of that subsequent famine; for it will be very severe. 32“Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about. 33“Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34“Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. 35“Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. 36“Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.”

      37Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.

Reflection on Genesis 41:1–36:
God’s timing is unmistakable. Two years pass in silence before Pharaoh’s dreams open the door God had prepared long before. Joseph’s waiting was not accidental. God was aligning circumstances, leadership, and timing far beyond Joseph’s awareness.

When Joseph stands before Pharaoh, his humility is immediate. He does not claim credit, talent, or insight of his own. He openly declares that interpretation belongs to God. This moment reveals the depth of Joseph’s faith — years of hardship have refined his character, not weakened it.

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams clearly and confidently, revealing seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. But Joseph does not stop there. God’s wisdom extends beyond explanation into action. Joseph proposes a practical, God-honoring plan to prepare during abundance for the coming crisis.

This is an important lesson: God’s wisdom is not merely spiritual insight — it often includes practical obedience and planning. Faith does not replace responsibility. Joseph models both trust in God and diligence in action.

Joseph’s faithfulness through injustice, waiting, and silence now bears fruit. God speaks not only to rescue Joseph, but to preserve nations. The famine was coming whether Egypt believed or not — but God provided a way forward through obedience and wisdom.

Genesis 41 reminds us that God often prepares His servants long before revealing His purpose. When the moment arrives, those who have remained faithful are ready to act without hesitation or pride.

Application:

  • Trust God’s timing. Silence does not mean God is inactive.

  • Remain humble. Give God credit when He opens doors.

  • Be prepared. God’s plans often involve wise action and planning.

  • Stay faithful in waiting. Character is formed before opportunity arrives.

  • Use wisdom for others’ benefit. God’s blessing is meant to serve many, not just ourselves.

  • Act when God speaks. Preparation enables obedience when the time comes.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me trust You in seasons of waiting and silence. Shape my character so that when opportunity comes, I will respond with humility, wisdom, and obedience. Teach me to depend on You while also acting responsibly with what You place in my hands. I trust Your timing and Your purposes, knowing You prepare Your people long before You reveal Your plans. 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.

Core Teaching, Discipline / Correction, Faith / Trusting God, Guide, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News, Study the Word, Submitted / Servant, Teachable

The Great Commission – Personal Discipleship Plan

This teaching is really a core part of our personal walk with Yeshua. Please take the time to read through it prayerfully, even though it may be a bit longer than average.

At Hearing From Jesus, we take the commands of our Lord very seriously and that certainly includes The Great Commission. In fact, it is this command that most directly inspires our ministry. We want to obey Yeshua and make disciples of all the nations.

Besides being the command of our Lord, it is also a natural desire we have in gratitude to Yahweh for His grace and forgiveness and also out of love for other people, who may be headed for eternal separation from Him in hell, unless they hear and study the true word of God.

Matthew 28:16-20

16But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

To learn more about the Great Commission given to us by Yeshua, we recommend you study our teaching, The Great Commission – Make Disciples Of All The Nations, before continuing with this teaching on building a personal discipleship plan.

Whether Hearing From Jesus is a primary source for your personal study and growth with the Lord or just another valuable reference site, we have structured our ministry to help you become a disciple, a learner, of Christ and then to prepare to go and make disciples of others. This last point is important… it should not be our goal to do the absolute minimum we can and still get into Heaven. Those who have this attitude are far from the kingdom of Heaven. Our goal is to grow spiritually to the point that we are feeding ourselves from Yahweh’s word and growing in our relationship with Him from now until we die. It is a journey that we never finish, but it transforms us along the way to become more like our Messiah and less like our old sinful nature. We are to learn well enough to then teach others effectively and help them become disciples as well… so they can , in turn, teach others.

Overwhelming? It can be. So, how do we begin such a task?

Let us begin by studying and then following the example of Yeshua. Likewise, we can review how others, like Paul or Moses or Elijah practiced discipleship. In all the examples I just mentioned, these servants of Yahweh knew the ultimate authority was the Creator, not a religious authority figure or scholars or traditions. We must seek to develop a personal relationship with Yahweh. We must not cling to traditions of men, even if they are taught by religious authority figures. The Pope, like the earthly head of every religion, is quite fallible and what he teaches must be tested against the word of Yah in the Bible. Sadly it often contradicts God’s word. We must test everything against the truth of the scripture and seek Yahweh in prayer consistently. To be a disciple of Christ we must be willing to put Him first, above and before all other parts of our lives and it will be hard. We must lose our own lives in order to find true life with Jesus.

Matthew 10:34-39

34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35“For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

37“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Yeshua did not attend formal schooling or study at seminary. These things may be helpful, but are not necessary and for most of us, not practical. Yeshua studied the scriptures rigorously and with devotion since He was as child. So knowledgeable was He, that when He was twelve, He was amazing the scholars and teachers of the law.

Luke 2:46-47

46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

If you are coming to know Yeshua later in life, do not worry. Use the time our Father has given you and get started studying (not just reading) the Bible consistently today. He will reveal much to a devoted disciple through His word. Yeshua’s disciples certainly did not start studying scripture as children but God used them in a mighty way!

Yeshua had a powerful prayer life. Communicating with the Father to receive instruction through prayer is essential to live as an effective disciple. Yeshua did not pray when convenient… when He had time. Yeshua stayed up late and got up early. Consistent prayer is essential to staying submitted to the Father’s will rather than our own. To study more about Yeshua’s prayer life, I recommend reading Experiencing Prayer with Jesus, by Henry and Norman Blackaby.

When it was time for His public ministry to begin, Yeshua found a small set of disciples, or followers. He had an inner circle in which He invested much time (Peter, James, John) and He had a wider group, but still small, that included all twelve disciples. He invested much time in the twelve, but not as much as He invested in the closer circle of three. Yeshua also taught the masses who sought to hear God’s word. He never turned away those who were genuinely seeking the word of God.

We must recognize that Yeshua forced no one to be a disciple or to listen to His message. Instead He choose people as disciples who came enthusiastically and willingly. They were eager to learn and they were not rebelling against Yah, insisting on clutching onto their traditions or their personal lives before meeting Yeshua. They were willing to put Yeshua as a priority above all other things. They left much behind of what they knew to follow Him. Others whom he invited, such as the rich young ruler introduced in Matthew 19:16, could not put him first and thus chose not to follow him.

Yeshua made time for people and demonstrated compassion, but also remained focused on going about doing God’s work. He dealt with mockers appropriately so as not to let them distract Him from getting to those who wanted to hear. Yeshua would reply to those trying to trick Him, but only to provide a teachable moment and an opportunity for them to hear truth and repent, and then He would move on.

In three years He created a team of disciples who could go out and teach others. This is what disciple means… Yeshua does not call us to just remain a “baby” in the faith, needing constant care and feeding. Rather He calls us to be disciples who can learn and teach others to learn. Those others then teach more and there is a multiplying effect that has dramatically impacted the world over the last two thousand years… starting from the humble beginnings of a poor carpenter who taught truth and stood up against the established teachers and scholars of the time and against centuries of traditions of men which were put above the commands of God.

We will briefly comment regarding Moses, Elijah, and Paul but of course you can study and learn more about them by reading the scriptures.

Moses trained judges to be prepared to help meet the needs of the people in order to properly lead such a large number of people. [Exodus 18:17-26]

Elijah invested time to disciple Elisha, who became his successor. [1Kings 19:19-21]

Paul managed his disciples over a wider geography, across many different cities and regions. He taught to crowds, big and small, on his missionary journeys. However, he clearly had a close circle of disciples with whom he traveled and invested significant time and a wider circle of individuals whom he discipled through occasional visits and more frequently through correspondence (e.g. letters).

So… what do we learn from Yeshua and some significant servants of Yahweh? What is a practical way to begin?

We must all begin with study of the scripture and prayer. We must develop a strong personal relationship with the Father. Do not get in a hurry to be the teacher. Yeshua did not start discipling others immediately, he studied from time of child and started with disciples at 30 years old. His disciples spent three years under His instruction and care before going out to disciple others on their own. They maintained a support structure often going out in pairs and coming back to consult with one another.

Most of us need to identify resources and techniques for studying scripture, and possibly find a teacher or disciple who is further on the journey than we are to help lead the way and answer questions. We must learn to feed ourselves with Yah’s help, still listening to the wise, but testing all they teach against scripture.

When you are ready, start seeking those you can invest time and relationship in to come together to study Yah’s word with commitment and devotion. Seek your disciples, without giving up or forsaking your relationship with your teacher or with the Father. Keep feeding yourself and continue on the journey to know, love, and serve Yahweh or you will not be effective in leading others. Even if you do not feel comfortable guiding a Bible study on your own, set up a Bible study anyway. You can use material from our ministry or from other teachers who have already prepared and shared the message of God’s word. Just remember to test everything against the whole of scripture using your own discernment and prayer… as even good teachers have some doctrine incorrect… and some of it quite significant.

After a time, do not rush it, and staying connected to the disciples you study with… each of you perhaps in pairs can also set up separate small groups to disciple others. Invest in more than just Bible study, but in life activities and support one another. Do not tolerate among your disciples those who would tempt you to sloth or to disregard and rebel against God’s word by rationalizing sin or worldly culture as acceptable. Do not tolerate among your close disciples those that refuse to submit to Yahweh and repent of their sin, clinging to their sin nature and refusing to change behaviors to honor God. Follow Jesus’ instructions found in Matthew 18:15-17.

15“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16“But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Listen, also, to your fellow disciples when they point out to you your sin… for the wise listen to good advice with thanksgiving and become wiser. A fool despises correction.

Stay focused. Consider writing down a plan for your personal discipleship both as a learner and as a teacher. Review periodically, perhaps a few times a year, to evaluate your progress and commitment to this mission. Pray for our Father’s help frequently… “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Please reach out to us with questions through our Contact Us page. Our intent is to teach you and support you in becoming a disciple, not just to give you a word from the scriptures daily… though that is a great start.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead me in Your word with wisdom and courage. Help me to develop the passion to pursue the truth and depth of Your word. Give me a humble heart so that I may learn from others, even as I become more mature spiritually. Help also prepare me to lead others and to go forth and make disciples. To You be all the glory and honor. Amen. 

Shalom

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.

Dreams, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Purposeful / Intentional, Tribulation

Trusting God When Hope Delays (Genesis 40)

What do you do when God gives you clarity and purpose — yet your circumstances do not change?

Key Verse:
“Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” —Genesis 40:23 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 40 takes place while Joseph is imprisoned unjustly in Egypt. Though confined, Joseph continues to serve faithfully. He is placed in charge of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker, both of whom are troubled by dreams. God gives Joseph understanding to interpret their dreams accurately, revealing restoration for one and judgment for the other.

Joseph asks only one thing in return — that the cupbearer remember him when restored. Yet, after the dream comes true, Joseph is forgotten for two full years.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 40

      1Then it came about after these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 3So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, in the jail, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned. 4The captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time. 5Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. 6When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected. 7He asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” 8Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.”

      9So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, there was a vine in front of me; 10and on the vine were three branches. And as it was budding, its blossoms came out, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11“Now Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; so I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.” 12Then Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days; 13within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you will put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand according to your former custom when you were his cupbearer. 14“Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house. 15“For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon.”

      16When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph, “I also saw in my dream, and behold, there were three baskets of white bread on my head; 17and in the top basket there were some of all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” 18Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; 19within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.”

      20Thus it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Reflection on Genesis 40:
Joseph’s circumstances are difficult, but his character remains steady. Even in prison, Joseph notices the distress of others and seeks to help them. His focus is not on self-pity, but on service. This alone speaks volumes about his faith.

When asked to interpret the dreams, Joseph immediately gives glory to God. He does not claim special ability or insight of his own. He understands that gifts from God are meant to be used humbly and faithfully, wherever we are placed.

The dreams are fulfilled exactly as Joseph said — one man restored, the other executed. God’s word proves true. For a moment, it appears that Joseph’s suffering may finally end. He asks the cupbearer to remember him, not out of entitlement, but out of hope.

Then comes the quiet heartbreak of the chapter: Joseph is forgotten.

This moment is deeply human. Joseph did everything right. He remained faithful. He spoke truth. He served others. And still, nothing changed. The prison doors did not open. Time passed. Silence followed.

Genesis 40 teaches us that God’s faithfulness is not measured by immediate outcomes. Sometimes God fulfills part of His plan while asking us to wait longer for the rest. Delay does not mean denial. Forgetfulness by people does not mean forgetfulness by God.

In God’s perfect timing, Joseph’s waiting would place him exactly where he needed to be when Pharaoh himself would need an answer no one else could give. God was not late — He was preparing.

Application:

  • Remain faithful where you are. God sees obedience even when others forget.

  • Serve others willingly. Faithfulness is not suspended during waiting seasons.

  • Give God the credit. Use His gifts humbly, wherever He places you.

  • Do not lose heart when hope delays. God’s timing is purposeful, not careless.

  • Trust God over people. Human forgetfulness cannot derail God’s plan.

  • Wait with endurance. God is often doing more than you can see.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me remain faithful when waiting feels long and answers feel delayed. Teach me to trust You when people forget and circumstances remain unchanged. Strengthen my heart to serve faithfully, give You glory, and believe that You are working even in silence. I place my hope in Your timing, knowing You never forget Your people. 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, Father / Yahweh, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Obeying God, Salvation, Truth

Faith That Overcomes the World (1 John 5:1-12)

What does it truly mean to overcome the world — is it power, influence, success, or something far deeper?

Key Verse:
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.” —1 John 5:4 NASB

Background Context:
As John nears the conclusion of his letter, he draws together several key themes: faith, obedience, love, and assurance. He reminds believers that faith in Jesus as the Messiah is not merely intellectual agreement, but the beginning of a transformed life.

John emphasizes that loving God results in obedience to His commandments, which are not burdensome because they flow from a new nature. He then highlights God’s own testimony concerning His Son — a testimony confirmed by the Spirit, the water, and the blood — affirming that eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 John 5:1-12

Overcoming the World

      1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

      5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Reflection on 1 John 5:1–12:
John begins with identity. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. This new birth changes how we relate to God and to others. Love for God naturally produces love for His children, and love for God is expressed through obedience to His commandments.

John is careful to clarify that obedience is not burdensome. This does not mean obedience is effortless, but that it is no longer oppressive. When our hearts are aligned with God, His ways are no longer experienced as chains but as life-giving truth.

John then speaks of victory. Overcoming the world does not mean escaping hardship or dominating culture. It means remaining faithful to God in a world that resists Him. This victory is not achieved by human strength, but through faith — faith rooted in who Jesus is and what He has done.

The testimony John refers to is crucial. Faith is not a blind leap. God Himself has testified about His Son. The Spirit bears witness, confirming truth within believers. The water and the blood point to the historical reality of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Christianity is grounded in real events, witnessed and recorded.

John draws a clear line: eternal life is found in the Son. To have the Son is to have life; to reject Him is to remain without it. There is no alternative path offered here — only a gracious invitation to trust God’s testimony.

This passage reassures believers that faith, obedience, and assurance are woven together. Our confidence does not rest in our perfection, but in God’s faithful witness and the transforming power of new birth.

Application:

  • Rest in your new identity. You are born of God through faith in Christ.

  • Let love lead to obedience. God’s commandments are life-giving, not oppressive.

  • Understand victory rightly. Overcoming the world means remaining faithful, not avoiding trials.

  • Anchor your faith in truth. God’s testimony is historical, reliable, and Spirit-confirmed.

  • Cling to Christ. Eternal life is found only in the Son.

  • Walk with confidence. Faith produces assurance rooted in God’s promise, not your performance.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of new life through faith in Your Son. Strengthen my trust in Your testimony and help me walk in obedience born from love, not obligation. Teach me what it truly means to overcome the world by remaining faithful to You. Anchor my confidence in Christ alone, and let my life reflect the victory You have already secured. 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.

Faithful, Patient, Peace / Rest, Psalms

Trust the Lord and Wait (Psalms 37)

When you see the wicked prosper and the faithful struggle, where does your heart drift — toward frustration, or toward trust in the Lord?

Key Verse:
“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” —Psalm 37:3 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm of David written to address a common struggle for God’s people: the apparent success of the wicked. David speaks to believers who are tempted to fret, envy, or lose heart when those who reject God seem to flourish.

Rather than offering quick comfort, David gives steady instruction. This psalm contrasts temporary prosperity with lasting inheritance, urging God’s people to trust, wait, and remain faithful, confident that God will ultimately act justly.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalms 37

Security of Those Who Trust in the LORD, and Insecurity of the Wicked.

A Psalm of David.

1Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

      2For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.

      3Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

      4Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

      5Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

      6He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.

      7Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

      8Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

      9For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

      10Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.

      11But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

      12The wicked plots against the righteous
And gnashes at him with his teeth.

      13The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees his day is coming.

      14The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow
To cast down the afflicted and the needy,
To slay those who are upright in conduct.

      15Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.

      16Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.

      17For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
But the LORD sustains the righteous.

      18The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.

      19They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.

      20But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

      21The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous is gracious and gives.

      22For those blessed by Him will inherit the land,
But those cursed by Him will be cut off.

      23The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.

      24When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

      25I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.

      26All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.

      27Depart from evil and do good,
So you will abide forever.

      28For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

      29The righteous will inherit the land
And dwell in it forever.

      30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.

      31The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.

      32The wicked spies upon the righteous
And seeks to kill him.

      33The LORD will not leave him in his hand
Or let him be condemned when he is judged.

      34Wait for the LORD and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

      35I have seen a wicked, violent man
Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.

      36Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more;
I sought for him, but he could not be found.

      37Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright;
For the man of peace will have a posterity.

      38But transgressors will be altogether destroyed;
The posterity of the wicked will be cut off.

      39But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
He is their strength in time of trouble.

      40The LORD helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they take refuge in Him.

Reflection on Psalm 37:
David begins with a command that cuts against human instinct: “Do not fret.” When injustice surrounds us or evil appears to win, fretting feels natural. But David warns that fretting leads to anger, envy, and eventually wrongdoing.

Instead of focusing on the wicked, David redirects our attention to the Lord. Trust Him. Delight in Him. Commit your way to Him. Rest in Him. Wait patiently for Him. These repeated instructions reveal that faith is not passive — it is active trust expressed through obedience and patience.

David reminds us that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary. Like grass, it will wither. Their power, though intimidating now, will not last. In contrast, the righteous inherit the land, are upheld by the Lord, and are known by Him.

One of the most comforting truths in this psalm is that God delights in the steps of the righteous. Even when they stumble, they are not abandoned. God holds their hand. Their future is secure because it is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not their perfection.

Psalm 37 repeatedly emphasizes waiting. God’s timing rarely matches our urgency. Waiting tests our trust, but it also refines it. Those who wait for the Lord are promised an inheritance — not just land, but peace, stability, and lasting joy.

David closes the psalm with a strong assurance: the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord. He is their strength in times of trouble. Evil will not have the final word. God will.

Application:

  • Refuse to fret. Anxiety over injustice can pull your heart away from trust.

  • Trust the Lord actively. Obedience is a daily expression of faith.

  • Delight in God. Let your joy be anchored in Him, not circumstances.

  • Wait patiently. God’s justice unfolds in His perfect timing.

  • Resist envy. Temporary prosperity is not eternal blessing.

  • Rest in God’s faithfulness. He upholds the righteous and secures their future.

Closing Prayer:
Father, when I am tempted to fret over injustice or envy the success of the wicked, help me to trust You instead. Teach me to delight in You, commit my ways to You, and wait patiently for Your timing. Strengthen my faith to believe that You are just, faithful, and fully in control. Help me walk in obedience and peace, knowing that my future rests securely in You. 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.

Grace / Forgiveness, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

A True Clean Start: Embracing God’s Grace (Reflection on a New Year)

As another year dawns, it’s a time when many of us contemplate the idea of a fresh start. The turning of the calendar seems to hold the promise of leaving behind past mistakes and embracing new opportunities. It’s a season of New Year’s resolutions, where we pledge to rid ourselves of bad habits or adopt better ones. However, as January fades into February, the enthusiasm for these “clean starts” often wanes, and we find ourselves back where we began.

But what if there’s a way to attain a genuine clean start—one infused with divine power and lasting transformation? The good news is that such an opportunity exists, and it’s not confined to the month of January. Through Christ, we can experience true forgiveness, redemption, and renewal. Our past sins need not define us, for God’s grace offers a pathway to a fresh beginning at any moment.

1. The Prodigal Son: A Story of Forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32)

“And He said, ‘A man had two sons…'” (Luke 15:11)

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus illustrates God’s unwavering love and forgiveness. The younger son squandered his inheritance in a distant land but came to his senses and returned home, expecting nothing more than to be a hired servant. However, his father’s response was a powerful demonstration of God’s grace. The father ran to embrace his wayward son, showering him with love, forgiveness, and a clean start.

2. God Awaits Our Return

God, our heavenly Father, awaits our return just as the father in the parable did. He watches the horizon for our humble repentance, ready to run and embrace us. There’s no sin too great for His forgiveness, no rebellion beyond His reach. It’s within our power to choose whether we return to Him or remain separated.

3. The Helper: God’s Power in Our Transformation (John 16:5-15)

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you…” (John 16:7)

When we turn to Christ for forgiveness and renewal, we receive more than forgiveness alone. God graciously sends the Holy Spirit as our Helper. The Spirit empowers us to overcome sin, make lasting changes, and embark on our fresh start. We are not alone in this journey; we have the divine power and guidance of God Himself.

4. A Call to Repentance and Obedience

While God’s forgiveness is boundless, it requires sincere repentance and a commitment to follow His ways. Repentance means turning away from our sinful past and submitting to God. The Bible is clear that we must obey God’s commandments and live according to His Word to walk in His grace.

5. God’s Promises of Forgiveness

God’s promises of forgiveness are abundant throughout the Scriptures:

  • “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18-20)
  • “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19-21)
  • “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…” (Ephesians 1:3-14)

6. The Invitation to a Fresh Start

So, as the calendar turns from one year to the next, remember that a clean start isn’t limited to January. Through Christ, we can experience forgiveness, renewal, and transformation at any moment. God’s grace is always available, ready to wash away our sins and empower us to live according to His will.

Embrace Your Fresh Start

As you embark on this new year, remember that God’s grace offers you a fresh start—a clean slate free from the burdens of past mistakes. You need not rely on the changing of the calendar or societal norms for a new beginning. Instead, turn to God, repent of your sins, and submit to His guidance. Allow His Spirit to empower you in your journey of transformation. In God’s grace, every moment is an opportunity for a true clean start.

May the grace and peace of our Lord 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.

Grace / Forgiveness, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

Chosen by Grace, Not Merit (Genesis 38:1-11)

Have you ever looked at the brokenness of a family — or your own past — and wondered how God could possibly bring anything good from it?

Key Verse:
“But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD took his life.” —Genesis 38:7 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 38 interrupts the Joseph narrative with a sobering account of Judah and his family. Judah separates from his brothers, settles among the Canaanites, and marries a Canaanite woman. His sons grow up in an environment far removed from God’s covenant standards, and their lives reflect it.

This chapter records selfishness, sexual immorality, disregard for responsibility, and rejection of God’s ways. God responds decisively, judging wickedness and allowing the consequences of sin to unfold. Yet this dark chapter also sets the stage for one of the greatest revelations of grace in all of Scripture — that God would later choose the tribe of Judah as the lineage through which Yeshua would enter the world.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 38:1-11

Judah and Tamar

      1And it came about at that time, that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her. 3So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er. 4Then she conceived again and bore a son and named him Onan. 5She bore still another son and named him Shelah; and it was at Chezib that she bore him.

      6Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD took his life. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. 10But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Reflection on Genesis 38:1–11:
Genesis 38 records terrible behavior and deeply broken choices by Judah and his family. They are living far from God, guided by the flesh and driven by self-interest rather than obedience to God’s ways. This is not a family seeking the Lord — it is a family drifting further from Him.

Judah’s separation from his brothers is more than geographical; it is spiritual. His marriage into the Canaanite culture and the moral collapse of his household reflect a rejection of God’s covenant standards. Scripture gives no details about Er’s wickedness — only that it was serious enough to bring God’s judgment. Onan, too, acts selfishly, using Tamar while refusing his responsibility, and God judges him as well.

The result is devastation: death, grief, and a vulnerable woman left without protection. This is the fruit of living by the flesh — broken relationships, suffering, and loss. God is not pleased, and the consequences are real.

And yet, standing back from the text, we are confronted with an astonishing truth. This is the tribe God chose. From this deeply flawed, sinful lineage would eventually come King David — and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself.

What an overwhelming reminder of God’s grace.

God does not choose by merit. If He did, none of us would stand. God chooses by grace — giving what we do not deserve — and by mercy — withholding the punishment we rightly deserve when we repent and turn back to Him.

Though we do not see repentance in this first part of Genesis 38, we know the larger story. God redeems what is broken. He works through imperfect people, messy families, and painful histories to accomplish His purposes.

This passage assures us that a sinful past does not disqualify us from God’s grace. Brokenness is not the end of the story. God’s invitation still stands: turn away from living for the flesh, turn toward Him, and walk in His ways.

Application:

  • Take sin seriously. Living according to the flesh brings real consequences.

  • Do not drift from God’s ways. Small compromises can lead to great brokenness.

  • Reject merit-based thinking. God’s grace, not your performance, is your hope.

  • Be encouraged by God’s mercy. Your past does not disqualify you from God’s purposes.

  • Turn toward God today. Repentance opens the door to forgiveness and renewal.

  • Trust God with your family’s story. He can redeem even deeply broken histories.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy that reach even into the darkest places of human failure. Help me take sin seriously without losing hope in Your forgiveness. Show me where I need to turn away from the flesh and return to Your ways. Heal the broken places in my life and my family, and remind me that You do not choose by merit, but by grace. I place my trust in You and thank You for redemption through Yeshua. In His name, Amen.

Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Loving / Kind

Perfect Love, Properly Understood(1 John 4: 7-21)

When Scripture says “God is love,” do we pause to ask what that truly means — or do we allow culture to redefine it for us?

Key Verse:
“We love, because He first loved us.” —1 John 4:19 NASB

Background Context:
In 1 John 4:7–21, John makes one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture: God is love. But he does not leave that truth undefined. John roots love firmly in God’s actions, God’s holiness, and God’s purposes.

God’s love is revealed not in passive acceptance, but in sacrificial redemption. He sent His Son so that sin could be forgiven, not ignored. He gives His Spirit so that believers can be transformed, not left unchanged. John connects love to obedience, abiding, confidence before God, and genuine care for fellow believers.

This passage confronts shallow definitions of love and calls believers to understand and live out love God’s way.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 John 4: 7-21

God Is Love

      7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

      15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19We love, because He first loved us. 20If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Reflection on 1 John 4:7–21:
“God is love” is one of the most quoted — and most misunderstood — statements in Scripture. John does not mean that God is love in the sense of unconditional acceptance of all behavior, lifestyles, or choices without repentance. God’s love is holy, purposeful, and redemptive.

God loved us first — while we were still sinners — but He loved us too much to leave us there. His love moved Him to send Yeshua to die for our sins so that forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation could be possible. His love also moved Yeshua to affirm the Torah and the Prophets as God’s standard for righteous living, both by His teaching and by His perfect example.

God’s love continues through the indwelling Holy Spirit, given to believers as Counselor and Guide — not to affirm the ways of the world, but to help us turn away from sin and walk in obedience to God.

John teaches that our love is perfected by abiding in God. This does not mean we become flawless, but that love reaches its intended purpose as we live in relationship with Him, walking in His ways. As love matures, fear diminishes. Those who abide in God’s love need not fear the day of judgment, because their confidence rests in Christ’s finished work and a life oriented toward obedience.

John also emphasizes love for our brother. This raises an important question: who is our brother? Yeshua answers this clearly. Our brother is not defined simply as “everyone who breathes,” but as those who do the will of the Father.

Yeshua said:
“Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

This does not mean we show hatred or cruelty toward unbelievers — Scripture calls us to kindness and truth for all — but it does clarify that biblical fellowship and family identity are rooted in submission to God.

Another critical question follows: how do we love God’s way?
Yeshua answers this as well. Love for God and love for others are inseparable from obedience to God’s commandments. According to Yeshua, the entire Torah and the Prophets hang on loving God and loving others — not as vague sentiment, but as lived obedience.

Yeshua said:
“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)

True love does not encourage people to remain in sin. That is man’s version of love, not God’s. God’s love tells the truth, calls for repentance, and invites transformation. Love that separates people from God is not love at all.

Biblical love shines light into darkness and points the way back to the Father through the Son. It calls us to be less like the world and more like Yeshua.

Application:

  • Define love biblically. Let Scripture, not culture, tell you what love truly is.

  • Remember God loved you first. Your obedience is a response, not a requirement to earn love.

  • Abide in God daily. Love matures as you live in relationship with Him.

  • Do not fear judgment. Perfect love casts out fear when your trust is in Christ.

  • Love your brother faithfully. Care for fellow believers with truth, humility, and action.

  • Speak truth in love. Do not use “love” as an excuse to affirm sin or silence truth.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for loving me with a love that saves, transforms, and leads me into truth. Help me understand Your love as You define it — holy, faithful, and redemptive. Guard my heart from adopting the world’s version of love, and teach me to love You and others through obedience and truth. Let my life reflect the love You first showed me through Your Son. 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.

Faithful, Loving / Kind, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Pride, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Wickedness / Evil

Steadfast Love Beyond Measure (Psalms 36)

Have you ever been struck by the contrast between how broken people can be — and how faithful God remains?

Key Verse:
“Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” —Psalm 36:5 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 36, attributed to David, opens with a sober reflection on the nature of human wickedness and then pivots dramatically to a soaring declaration of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. David observes how sin deceives the human heart, dulling conscience and removing fear of God. Yet instead of dwelling there, he lifts his eyes to the character of the Lord — a God whose mercy, righteousness, and protection far exceed human corruption.

This psalm contrasts the emptiness of life apart from God with the abundance and refuge found in His presence.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 36

      1Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.

      2For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.

      3The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

      4He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.

      5Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

      6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

      7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

      8They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.

      9For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

      10O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

      11Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

      12There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.

Reflection on Psalm 36:
David begins by describing sin as deceptive and self-flattering. The wicked person no longer recognizes or hates his own sin. There is no fear of God before his eyes, and as a result, his words and actions drift further from wisdom and goodness. This is a sobering reminder of what happens when truth is replaced by self-justification.

But David does not linger on darkness. He intentionally shifts his focus upward — from the failure of man to the faithfulness of God. God’s lovingkindness reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness to the skies, His righteousness stands like mighty mountains, and His judgments are as deep as the sea. Where human sin is shallow and fleeting, God’s character is vast and unchanging.

David then turns to personal trust. God is not distant or abstract; He is a refuge. Those who know Him are sheltered under the shadow of His wings, satisfied by the abundance of His house, and refreshed by the river of His delights. God is the source of life and light — without Him, all else fades.

The psalm closes with a prayer for continued mercy and protection. David asks God to preserve His lovingkindness for those who know Him and to guard him from the pride and violence of the wicked. His confidence rests not in his own strength, but in the sure downfall of those who oppose God.

Psalm 36 teaches us to see clearly: to recognize the reality of sin without becoming consumed by it, and to anchor our hearts in the overwhelming faithfulness of God.

Application:

  • Recognize sin honestly. Do not allow self-deception to dull your sensitivity to wrongdoing.

  • Lift your eyes to God’s character. His love and faithfulness far exceed human failure.

  • Take refuge in the Lord. Find safety under the shadow of His wings.

  • Draw from God’s abundance. True satisfaction comes from His presence, not the world.

  • Walk in God’s light. Let His truth expose darkness and guide your path.

  • Trust God’s justice. He will ultimately deal with pride and wickedness.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and unshakable faithfulness. When I am tempted to be discouraged by the sin I see — in the world or in myself — lift my eyes to Your greatness. Shelter me under Your wings, satisfy my soul with Your presence, and guide me by Your light. Keep my heart humble, faithful, and anchored in You. 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.