Category Archives: Protector / Deliverer

All Powerful / King of All, Justice / Judgment, Protector / Deliverer, Revelation, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The King is Coming (Revelation 11:15–19)

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When the world seems out of control, do you remember who ultimately sits on the throne?

Key Verse:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” —Revelation 11:15 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 11:1–14, the two witnesses faithfully proclaimed God’s truth despite intense opposition. Though it appeared for a time that evil had prevailed, God raised and vindicated His servants before the world.

Now in Revelation 11:15–19, the seventh trumpet sounds. Instead of focusing primarily on judgment, the scene shifts to heaven’s celebration of God’s coming reign and the certainty of His ultimate victory.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 11:15-19

The Seventh Trumpet—Christ’s Reign Foreseen

      15Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” 16And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying,
“We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18“And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

      19And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Reflection on Revelation 11:15–19:
Throughout Revelation, believers encounter scenes of conflict, opposition, persecution, and judgment.

At times, it can seem as though evil is gaining ground.

But with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, heaven pulls back the curtain and reminds us of something essential:

God’s victory is certain.

The heavenly voices proclaim:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ…”

Notice the certainty of the declaration.

This is not presented as a possibility.
It is not a hope that may or may not happen.

It is the guaranteed outcome of history.

From God’s perspective, the final victory is so certain that it is proclaimed as an accomplished reality.

This is deeply encouraging because believers often live in a world that appears increasingly resistant to God’s ways.

We see:

  • injustice
  • rebellion
  • suffering
  • corruption
  • opposition to truth

It can be tempting to wonder whether righteousness will ultimately prevail.

Revelation 11 answers that question clearly.

Yes.

The King is coming.

And His kingdom will endure forever.

The twenty-four elders respond by falling on their faces and worshiping God.

Their response is significant.

When they see God’s victory and sovereignty more clearly, they do not celebrate human achievement.

They worship.

True worship flows naturally from recognizing who God is.

The elders praise God because He has:

  • taken His great power
  • begun to reign
  • judged evil
  • rewarded His servants

This reminds us that God’s justice is not absent.

There are times when it may seem delayed.

There are seasons when evil appears to prosper.

But Scripture consistently teaches that God sees everything and will ultimately judge with perfect righteousness.

This truth should encourage believers.

It means we do not need to carry the burden of ultimate justice ourselves.

God is both perfectly loving and perfectly just.

The passage also speaks of reward.

God remembers His servants.

He remembers:

  • prophets
  • saints
  • those who fear His name

Nothing done in faithful service to God is forgotten.

Sometimes obedience feels unnoticed.

Sometimes faithfulness appears unrewarded.

But God’s perspective is very different from ours.

He sees every act of faithfulness.

He remembers every sacrifice made for His kingdom.

The chapter concludes with the temple of God opening in heaven and the ark of His covenant appearing.

The ark represented God’s presence, faithfulness, and covenant promises.

This image serves as a powerful reminder that God remains faithful to everything He has promised.

From Genesis to Revelation, God has never failed to keep His word.

This passage ultimately shifts our focus from present circumstances to future certainty.

The world around us may change.
Nations may rise and fall.
Challenges may come and go.

But one truth remains unchanged:

Yeshua is King.

And His kingdom will never end.

That reality gives hope, courage, and perspective to God’s people in every generation.

Application:

  • Remember that God’s victory is certain, even when circumstances seem discouraging.
  • Focus on God’s kingdom rather than becoming consumed by temporary events.
  • Trust that God sees and remembers every act of faithfulness.
  • Rest in God’s promise that justice will ultimately be accomplished.
  • Worship God for His sovereignty, power, and faithfulness.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You that Your kingdom is certain and that Your purposes cannot fail. Help me to keep my eyes on You when the world feels unstable or discouraging. Strengthen my faith as I wait for the fulfillment of Your promises. Thank You for remembering Your servants and for remaining faithful to every word You have spoken. Help me to live faithfully as I look forward to the day when Yeshua reigns openly as King over all. In His name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

All Powerful / King of All, Money / Finances / Wealth, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Salvation

In God We Trust, Not in Money (Psalm 49)

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What happens when the things people trust in most cannot save them when it matters most?

Key Verse:
“Why should I fear in days of adversity… those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches?” —Psalm 49:5–6 NASB

Background Context:
Psalms 49 is a wisdom psalm written for all people—rich and poor alike. Unlike many psalms focused primarily on prayer or praise, this psalm reflects deeply on wealth, mortality, and what truly has lasting value.

Following themes we have recently seen in Ecclesiastes, Psalm 49 reminds us that earthly riches, success, and status cannot ultimately save or redeem a person.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 49

The Folly of Trusting in Riches.

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

     1Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

      2Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.

      3My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

      4I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will express my riddle on the harp.

      5Why should I fear in days of adversity,
When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,

      6Even those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the abundance of their riches?

      7No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him—

      8For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever—

      9That he should live on eternally,
That he should not undergo decay.

      10For he sees that even wise men die;
The stupid and the senseless alike perish
And leave their wealth to others.

      11Their inner thought is that their houses are forever
And their dwelling places to all generations;
They have called their lands after their own names.

      12But man in his pomp will not endure;
He is like the beasts that perish.

      13This is the way of those who are foolish,
And of those after them who approve their words.

Selah.

      14As sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
Death shall be their shepherd;
And the upright shall rule over them in the morning,
And their form shall be for Sheol to consume
So that they have no habitation.

      15But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,
For He will receive me.

Selah.

      16Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;

      17For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.

      18Though while he lives he congratulates himself—
And though men praise you when you do well for yourself—

      19He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They will never see the light.

      20Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish.

Reflection on Psalm 49:
Psalm 49 begins with a universal invitation:

“Hear this, all peoples…”

This message is not just for one nation, one class of people, or one generation. The truths in this psalm apply to everyone because every person faces the same reality:
life is temporary.

The psalm quickly turns to a major issue that affects the human heart:
trusting in wealth.

The writer describes people who boast in riches and place confidence in abundance. Wealth often creates the illusion of security and control. People naturally believe that money can solve nearly every problem.

But the psalm exposes an important limitation:
wealth cannot redeem a soul.

“No man can by any means redeem his brother…”

No amount of money can:

  • stop death
  • purchase eternal life
  • erase sin
  • or save a person before God

This is a sobering truth because people often spend their lives chasing things that cannot ultimately rescue them.

The psalm points out something obvious, yet often ignored:
both wise and foolish people die.

The wealthy leave their possessions behind just like everyone else. Even if lands, accomplishments, or buildings carry their names for generations, earthly fame eventually fades.

This echoes themes from Ecclesiastes:
human achievement and earthly gain are temporary.

The psalm describes those who trust only in worldly success as being “like the beasts that perish.” This does not mean humans lack value, but rather that a life focused only on earthly pursuits misses the deeper purpose for which people were created.

Then comes one of the most hopeful statements in the psalm:

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol…”

This changes everything.

What wealth cannot do, God can do.

Human effort cannot purchase redemption.
Earthly success cannot conquer death.

But God provides redemption.

This points forward to the salvation ultimately fulfilled through Yeshua. Our hope is not in possessions, status, or worldly accomplishment, but in the God who redeems and gives eternal life.

The psalm then returns to practical application:
“Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich…”

Why?

Because earthly prosperity is temporary.

People may appear powerful, successful, and secure for a season, but riches do not last forever. The person who gains everything in this world while ignoring God still faces eternity unprepared.

Psalm 49 challenges us to examine what we truly trust in.

Are we building our lives around:

  • money
  • success
  • possessions
  • recognition
  • temporary comfort

Or are we building our lives around God and what lasts eternally?

This passage does not condemn wise stewardship or responsible work.

It warns against misplaced trust.

Because whatever we trust most will shape the direction of our lives.

And only God can carry the weight of ultimate trust.

Application:

  • Examine whether your security is rooted more in earthly success or in God.
  • Remember that wealth and possessions are temporary.
  • Invest your life in what has eternal value rather than only temporary gain.
  • Trust God for the redemption and security money can never provide.
  • Live with eternity in mind rather than focusing only on present success.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me not to place my trust in wealth, success, or temporary things. Remind me that only You can truly redeem, save, and satisfy. Teach me to live with eternity in view and to build my life around what lasts forever. Guard my heart from misplaced priorities, and help me trust fully 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.

All Knowing, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness

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

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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.

Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Protector / Deliverer

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

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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.

All Powerful / King of All, Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Peace / Rest, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness

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

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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.

All Powerful / King of All, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Persecution / Glorifying God, Protector / Deliverer, Salvation, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Strong in Our Weakness

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

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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.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Learning To Pray Effectively, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms

Let Fear Give Way to Praise (Psalm 57)

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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.

Protector / Deliverer, Purposeful / Intentional, Traditions / Holidays

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 LORD. 7“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 LORD. 13“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.

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

Trusting God Through the Process (Exodus 7-12)

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

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

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

Throughout this progression, we repeatedly see the same themes:

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

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

Exodus 7-12

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

Again and again, God declares:

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

The plagues were not random acts of destruction.

God was revealing:

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

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

At the center of this story stands Pharaoh.

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

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

This reminds us of an important truth:

God is sovereign even over opposition.

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

Another major pattern throughout these chapters is compromise.

Pharaoh repeatedly tries to negotiate with God:

  • partial obedience
  • delayed obedience
  • limited surrender

But God does not accept compromise.

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

This same temptation exists in our lives today.

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

As the plagues continue, judgment intensifies.

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

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

God was not acting recklessly.

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

Then comes Passover.

This is the turning point of the entire section.

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

Where the blood was present, judgment passed over.

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

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

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

What may have seemed delayed was never forgotten.

This is deeply encouraging for us.

There are seasons when we:

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

But Exodus 7–12 reminds us:

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

These chapters challenge us to ask:

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

God was not only delivering Israel from Egypt.

He was teaching His people who He is.

And He is still doing the same today.

Application:

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

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

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

John Golda

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

Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Traditions / Holidays

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

What makes the difference between judgment and deliverance?

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

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

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

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 12:1-28

The Passover Lamb

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

Feast of Unleavened Bread

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

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

A Memorial of Redemption

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

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

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

He prepares His people.

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

This is important.

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

The instructions center on a lamb.

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

This is the defining act.

The blood becomes a sign.

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

This is the difference between life and death.

Not effort.
Not status.
Not identity alone.

The blood.

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

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

This is not just a meal.

It is preparation for departure.

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

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

He then establishes this event as a permanent memorial.

“This day will be a memorial to you…”

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

This is not meant to be forgotten.

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

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

Finally, we see the response of the people.

“They bowed low and worshiped.”

And then:

“The sons of Israel went and did so…”

This is the right response.

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

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

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

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

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

Are we covered?

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

Application:

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

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

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

John Golda

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