Category Archives: Righteousness / Serving God

All Knowing, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant, Wise

God Made Us Upright (Ecclesiastes 7:23–29)

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Where does the brokenness we see in ourselves and in the world come from?

Key Verse:

“Behold, I have found only this, that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” —Ecclesiastes 7:29 NASB

Background Context:

As Solomon concludes Ecclesiastes 7, he reflects on the limits of human wisdom and the reality of mankind’s sinful condition. Although he has devoted himself to seeking wisdom and understanding, he recognizes that there are mysteries only God fully comprehends. His search ultimately leads him to a profound conclusion: God created humanity upright, but people have continually chosen their own paths instead of God’s.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 7

      23I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it? 25I directed my mind to know, to investigate, and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of folly and the foolishness of madness. 26And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.

      27“Behold, I have discovered this,” says the Preacher, “adding one thing to another to find an explanation, 28which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these. 29“Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.”

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7:23–29:

Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon repeatedly reminds us that human wisdom has limits. In this closing section of chapter seven, he admits that despite all his searching, some things remained beyond his understanding. This is a refreshing reminder that even the wisest man who ever lived recognized that God’s wisdom is infinitely greater than his own.

There is great humility in admitting that we do not have all the answers. Our culture often celebrates self-confidence and independence, encouraging us to trust our own understanding. Yet Scripture consistently points us in the opposite direction. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

The more we grow in our knowledge of God, the more we recognize how much we still have to learn.

Solomon’s search eventually brings him to one of the most important conclusions in the entire book:

“God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

This verse beautifully summarizes the story of Scripture. In the beginning, God created mankind in His image and declared His creation to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Humanity was designed to live in fellowship with God, reflecting His character and walking in His ways.

The brokenness we experience today did not originate with God.

It originated when mankind chose to depart from His design.

Beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden, people have continually pursued their own wisdom instead of trusting God’s. We devise our own plans, redefine right and wrong according to our preferences, and convince ourselves that our way is better than His. Solomon describes these pursuits as “many schemes”—countless attempts to find fulfillment, purpose, and wisdom apart from the One who created us.

Paul describes this same reality in Romans 3:23:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

The problem is not that God’s design was flawed.

The problem is that humanity has repeatedly rejected it.

Yet the good news of Scripture is that God did not abandon His creation. Through Yeshua, He has made a way to restore what sin has broken. Paul writes:

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Gospel is not merely about forgiveness.

It is about restoration.

God is transforming His people into the likeness of His Son and restoring us to the purpose for which we were created.

As Ecclesiastes 7 comes to a close, Solomon leaves us with both a warning and a hope. The warning is not to trust our own schemes or imagine that we can improve upon God’s design. The hope is that our Creator has not given up on us. His wisdom remains perfect, His ways remain good, and through Christ He invites us back into the life He intended from the beginning.

The wisest path we can take is not creating our own way.

It is humbly walking in His.

Application:

  • Trust God’s wisdom even when you do not fully understand His ways.
  • Examine your life for areas where you may be following your own plans instead of God’s.
  • Remember that sin originates from humanity’s rebellion, not from God’s design.
  • Rejoice that through Yeshua, God is restoring His people to Himself.
  • Commit yourself to walking in God’s ways rather than pursuing your own schemes.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for creating me with purpose and for never giving up on Your creation. Forgive me for the times I have trusted my own understanding instead of Your perfect wisdom. Help me to reject my own schemes and to walk faithfully in the path You have set before me. Thank You for the restoration You offer through Yeshua and for continuing to transform me into His likeness. May my life reflect Your wisdom and bring glory to Your name. 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.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Is God Ignoring My Prayers?

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Sometimes Yahweh may be answering our prayers, and we don’t even know it. Perhaps His answer is “no” or “not right now”. However, if we feel like He is not answering us, we should also prayerfully reflect on whether or not we are in right relationship with Him. The problem, if there is one, is with us…not with Him. We must turn the lordship of our lives over to Yahweh. We need to die to self and increase in Him.

John 3:30

30“He must increase, but I must decrease.

What are some situations in which the LORD will not hear our prayers? Keep in mind, this is not simply speaking about those who outright rebel against Him, but rather to those who claim to follow Him. Also note, this is not comprehensive, not even close. I encourage you to study more on your own to learn more about what may stand between you and the LORD.

The LORD hears the prayers of the righteous, but is far from the wicked, or sinners.

 31“We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. (John 9:31)

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:29)

   2But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)

12“FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, aND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, bUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”(1 Peter 3:12).

Related to the one above, the LORD does not hear the prayers of one who turns away from the law, the teachings of God. This is actually the standard by which we can judge sin.

9He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination. (Proverbs 28:9)

Again, the next one is related to the ones above, but with a different emphasis that helps to drive additional clarity. We must choose to fear, or in this context, respect, the LORD as we would a father who has authority over us. When we reject the LORD and choose to go our own way, He will let us, and we will face the consequences. However, do not assume that if we choose to go our own way, He will then “bail us out” by answering our prayers when things go wrong.

24 “Because I called and you refused,  I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;  25and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; 26I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, 27When your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me, 29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. 30“They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. 31“So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. (Prov 1:24-31)

Specific sins are called out for emphasis at times also:

7You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

Sometimes people make empty prayers, for show before man, more than based in humility and reverence before our Father.

 46“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:46-47).

  5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  (Matthew 6:5-8)

Sometimes people may pray with words, but their heart is far from being submitted to the lordship of the Father.

  13Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, (Isaiah 29:13).

9And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14“I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 )    

Do not ask, not believing that He can answer.

 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8)

Reconcile with your brother (in Christ) before coming before the LORD. Seeking forgiveness from others is important when we have done wrong.

23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Matthew 5:23)

These are just a few examples. I encourage you to seek out more and perhaps even add them to the comment trail on this article. When there is a problem in our prayer life with the Father, it is important to remember that the problem lies with us, not with Him. The first and best approach is to fully embrace and submit to Him, asking forgiveness and guidance.

For more, read Learning to Pray Effectively.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please forgive me for my sins. Help me to repent and turn to Your ways. Please draw me near to You and help me to be in right relationship with You so that You would hear my prayers and answer. When You answer “no” or “not now”, please help me to understand and stand strong in my faith and relationship with You. Amen. 

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.

Learning To Pray Effectively

The Heart of Effective Prayer

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God has a lot to say about prayer in the Bible. It is a very important two-way communication between God and His people. He wants to hear from us and wants us to hear from Him. God also wants us to selflessly pray for others, not just for ourselves.

Prayer is a topic that can and should be studied at great length by every believer. This teaching is longer than most that we provide. As such, you may expect to go through it thoughtfully will take more than just a few minutes. Take it in pieces and come back to it if that helps, but get started even if you can’t finish it all at once.

For this teaching, as a starting point to lead you toward righteous prayer, we highlight several scriptures regarding prayer, but will only break down into greater detail the teaching of Jesus, Himself, regarding prayer in Matthew 6:5-14. It was in this way that Jesus began teaching His disciples how to pray.

To learn more about prayer, you can review our devotions on prayer by selecting the Category “Prayer” or consider other resources, such as those recommended on our site at “Study the Word: Books and Other Study Tools“.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

Ephesians 6:18-20

18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Philippians 4:4-7

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 5:23

23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Matthew 26:36-46

36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46“Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

Matthew 6:5-14

5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.

10‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

11‘Give us this day our daily bread.

12‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Please do not skip over verses 5-8. While these are not included in what we commonly refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer” or “The Our Father”, they are critical points in teaching common mistakes that we should not be making. Do not pray for attention before men, but rather pray in secret for relationship with God. Do not use meaningless repetition… including just empty recitation of the prayer that Jesus shares in verses 9-13! This prayer is not a formula of specific words that must be recited, but rather an outline to help you focus your prayer in relating to God. It is meaningless to just memorize and repeat the words without truly dwelling on what they mean and how to relate to our God!

To explore this further, we will explore how to apply this outline for prayer with greater depth, so we draw near to God rather than repeat memorized words. (I am grateful to those who shared with me what I now share with you, as I find it a very good application of the Lord’s Prayer.)

“Our Father who is in heaven,”

Respect and honor who God is. Take a few moments and be still before God. Contemplate the character of God:

  • The Great I Am
  • Creator of All
  • All-Knowing (omniscient)
  • All-Powerful (omnipotent)
  • Present In All Places At All Times (omnipresent)
  • Unchanging (immutable)
  • Eternal (without beginning or end)
  • Incapable of Making a Mistake (flawless)
  • Without limit or boundaries (infinite)
  • Holy (worthy of devotion as one perfect in goodness)
  • Just (behaving according to what is morally right and fair)
  • The Beginning and the End (Alpha and Omega)

In Ephesians 1:18-19 Paul prays “…that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”

Reflect on the greatness of God’s power toward you as:

  • God the Father: Father, Provider, Shelter, Protector
  • God the Son: Righteousness, Holiness, Peace, Truth
  • God the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Counselor, Teacher, Guide

“Hallowed be Your name.”

God’s name is to be separated from the world. To do this, we must separate from the world and focus on God. Focus on the Old Testament names for God.

Consider also focusing on God through a worship song.

“Your kingdom come.”

God’s kingdom is where He has total rule and authority. It is a kingdom of righteousness based on free will. His servants choose willingly or even enthusiastically to obey Him.

This scripture represents submission to God to rule and control your life. You are asking God to transform your character to be more like His character to make the fruit you bear more like the fruit of Jesus’ life and ministry.

We must first pray “my kingdom go” before we can truly pray for God’s kingdom to come. Pray for God to take control of these areas of your life; release them into His hands.

  • My family
  • My future
  • My job
  • My finances
  • My ministry
  • My thought life

Write in your prayer journal any areas you feel like God is directing you to pray for specifically.

God’s character should be reflected in our character.

  • Compassionate
  • Gracious
  • Humble
  • Pure (in body and mind)
  • Merciful
  • Giving (in time and resources)
  • Slow to anger / Patient
  • Filled with love
  • Truthful
  • Forgiving
  • Kind
  • Faithful (to God)
  • Wise
  • Servant’s heart
  • Disciplined (self-control)
  • Joyful
  • Holy (set apart from sin; set apart for God’s purpose)
  • Just (e.g., justice)

Periodically (e.g., once a week), pick one of God’s characteristics, starting with your weakest, and study its meaning completely, including a study of its application in scriptures. This activity will renew your mind in that area and, in turn, transform your character to be more like God and our Lord Jesus Christ. After completing the list, start over again.

“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

This should be our personal acknowledgment of God’s will to be done in our lives in His timing and His way. Ask God what His will is for decisions that you need to make this week or later this year, and then listen and wait for His answer.

Proverbs 3:5-7 guides us to”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Write in your journal the decisions you have to make and the answers from God. Expect Him to answer, and then test the answer you hear against the scripture to ensure you are hearing from God and not from your own sin nature or from Satan.

God’s answer may not come during prayer time. It may come later that day or even the next couple of days. Often, His answer is not what we expect.

Pray for upcoming events as you write them in your journal. They may include things such as government (federal, state, local), schools, Christian leaders or ministry/church staff, missionaries, pastors, and of course, events personal to your own life or that of your family and friends.

Pray for God’s will to be done for any individuals or groups for whom you are responsible or for individual people for whom God puts on your heart a desire to pray.

Consider writing down a prayer strategy in your journal and referring back to it periodically.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

At this point, ask God to provide for your needs (e.g., home, family, finances, church, ministry, friends, etc.)

The body needs food to live, but the spirit also needs food to live. Jesus is our food because He is the Word. Ask Him to speak a word to your spirit. Consider reading a devotional from a book and/or a few verses from the Bible. Write down what stands out to you. Meditate on it and write in your journal an action plan for applying it to your life as you feel led by the Spirit. (Meditation in the Christian walk is not emptying the mind and seeking nothingness as in some other faiths, but rather actively using our God-given minds to think about and apply the written word of God in our lives.)

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

This was so important to Jesus that He came back to it in verses Matthew 6:14-15.

14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Examine your heart and be completely honest with what you find because your Father knows anyway. Confess these things to God and ask forgiveness. Then turn from them and sin no more. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you and reveal any sins you are unaware of at this time. Confess these sins to God and again ask forgiveness, turn from them, and sin no more.

If there is a particular sin that keeps recurring, create an action plan to address it. The plan should include prayer, focused Bible study, and possibly additional resources or partnering with an accountability partner with whom you can share your struggle honestly.

Pray that God would forgive, bless, and be good to the people who you believe have mistreated you. The only way God will continue to forgive us is if we continue to forgive others. Hold no bitterness or resentment in your heart. Purge from your heart any desire for revenge.

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Ask God for protection. Ask Him to show you any snares of the enemy so that you might not be caught in them. This is where you must ponder your footsteps and consider where you are going or by whom something is coming. Write in your journal anything new that is coming into your life or anything that is already in your life that you do not have peace about. Now, ask God if this is from Him or from the enemy or from our own internal sin nature. Test each situation against the word of God revealed in scripture. If something does not line up with the word, do not do it. If it lines up with the word, but you still can not get peace about it, seek advice from a mentor. Godly counsel can be very helpful.

“[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]”

Acknowledge God and all of His attributes. Realize that God is on the throne and He is in charge. Everything is under His control. Let this truth comfort you.

Thank God for being with you during your prayer time and thank Him that He will be with you all day, because He will… our Father loves us!

Praying meaningfully through the Lord’s prayer can easily grow to take thirty minutes or more. Do not try to rush it! If you do not have as much time, pick some of the areas to focus on in each part of the prayer and then rotate which areas you focus on from day to day. Whatever you do, please heed Jesus’ advice:

5“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

To study more teachings about effective prayer, review our category of teachings about Learning to Pray Effectively.

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

—-

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, Obeying God, Revelation

Faithful to God’s Commandments and to Yeshua (Revelation 14:8–13)

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What distinguishes God’s people in a world that continually calls us to compromise?

Key Verse:

“Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” —Revelation 14:12 NASB

Background Context

After proclaiming the eternal gospel and calling the world to worship the Creator, Revelation 14 announces the coming judgment upon Babylon and warns against worshiping the beast or receiving his mark. These warnings remind us that every person must ultimately choose whom they will worship and where they will place their allegiance.

In the midst of these sobering announcements, John pauses to encourage believers. Rather than focusing solely on judgment, he reminds us what God’s faithful people look like. In just one verse, John gives one of the clearest descriptions of those who belong to the Lord.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 14:8–13

  8And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”


Doom for Worshipers of the Beast

      9Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

      13And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

Reflection on Revelation 14:8–13

Throughout Revelation, humanity is consistently presented with two paths. We are called either to worship the Creator or to worship the beast, to follow the Lamb or to follow the world. As the warnings of judgment become increasingly severe, John reminds believers that God knows those who belong to Him and that faithfulness remains possible, even in the most difficult circumstances.

At the heart of this passage is Revelation 14:12:

“Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

This description should immediately remind us of an earlier passage. In Revelation 12:17, John described those against whom the dragon wages war as “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Now, only two chapters later, he repeats essentially the same description. This is not an isolated statement. John intentionally emphasizes these two characteristics because together they identify God’s faithful people.

Notice that John does not present obedience and faith as opposing ideas. He does not tell us to choose between keeping God’s commandments or trusting in Yeshua. Instead, he presents both as complementary marks of genuine discipleship. God’s people trust completely in Messiah for their salvation, and because they belong to Him, they desire to walk in obedience to their Father’s instruction.

This theme is consistent throughout the New Testament. Yeshua said,

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Likewise, James writes,

“Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (James 2:17)

Neither passage teaches that obedience earns our salvation. Scripture is clear that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. Rather, obedience is the natural fruit of a heart that has been transformed by that grace. We obey because we love the One who first loved us.

John also highlights the perseverance of the saints. Revelation was written to believers facing pressure, persecution, and the temptation to compromise. Their perseverance was not based on their own strength but on their confidence that God is faithful to fulfill every promise He has made. They remained steadfast because their hope rested in the Lord, not in their circumstances.

That same encouragement applies to us today. While our challenges may differ, every generation faces pressure to compromise God’s truth in favor of the world’s values. Revelation reminds us that faithful discipleship requires both steadfast faith in Yeshua and a willingness to live according to God’s ways, even when doing so is unpopular or costly.

This passage also serves as a beautiful reminder that God’s commandments and faith in Yeshua are not competing messages. Yeshua Himself summarized God’s Law by teaching us to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves, explaining that “on these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). Faith in Christ does not replace God’s instruction; it enables us to live it from transformed hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As followers of the Lamb, may our lives reflect both unwavering faith and joyful obedience. These two qualities have always characterized God’s faithful people, and they continue to do so until the day our Lord returns.

Application
  • Trust fully in Yeshua as your Savior and Lord.
  • Let your love for Christ be demonstrated through joyful obedience to God’s commandments.
  • Persevere faithfully when the world encourages compromise.
  • Encourage fellow believers to remain steadfast in both faith and obedience.
  • Thank God that His grace not only saves us but also transforms us to walk in His ways.
Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for saving me through Your grace and for calling me to faithfully follow Yeshua. Strengthen my faith and give me a heart that delights in keeping Your commandments. Help me to persevere when I face trials or pressure to compromise, remembering that my hope rests securely in You. May my life be marked by steadfast faith, joyful obedience, and a deep love for You until the day I stand in Your presence. 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.

Wise

Walk Humbly Before God (Ecclesiastes 7:15-22)

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How do we pursue righteousness without becoming self-righteous?

Key Verse:
“Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” —Ecclesiastes 7:20 NASB

Background Context:
After teaching that sorrow can produce wisdom and encouraging us to trust God’s sovereignty through every season of life, Solomon now addresses another danger—the tendency toward pride and self-righteousness. He reminds us that while we should pursue righteousness, we must also recognize our own sinful nature and our continual need for God’s grace. Wisdom walks humbly before the Lord, neither trusting in its own goodness nor excusing sinful living.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 7:15–22

    15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

      19Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. 21Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. 22For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.

Reflection:

One of the more difficult verses in Ecclesiastes is verse 16:

“Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?”

At first glance, it almost sounds as though Solomon is telling us not to pursue righteousness. Yet that cannot be his meaning. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to pursue holiness and obedience.

Instead, Solomon is warning against self-righteousness.

There is a great difference between pursuing God’s righteousness and trusting in our own.

Self-righteousness measures itself against other people.

God’s righteousness measures us against God’s perfect standard.

The Pharisees in Yeshua’s day provide a clear example. They outwardly appeared righteous and carefully observed countless religious traditions, yet Jesus repeatedly rebuked them because their hearts were far from God. They trusted in their own goodness instead of humbly recognizing their need for God’s mercy.

Likewise, Solomon warns against the opposite extreme:

“Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:17)

Wisdom rejects both extremes.

It neither boasts in its own righteousness nor embraces sinful living.

Instead, it walks humbly with God.

The heart of this passage comes in verse 20:

“Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who continually does good and who never sins.”

This truth echoes throughout Scripture.

Paul writes:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

James likewise reminds us:

“For we all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:2)

Recognizing our own weakness should produce humility, not despair.

It reminds us that every one of us depends completely upon God’s grace.

This humility also changes the way we treat others.

Solomon continues by advising us not to take every careless word to heart because we ourselves have spoken hurtful words about others (Ecclesiastes 7:21–22). How easy it is to become offended by someone else’s failures while forgetting our own.

Yeshua taught this same principle when He said:

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

Humility enables us to extend grace because we remember how much grace God has shown us.

This does not mean we ignore sin or abandon God’s standards.

Rather, we approach both ourselves and others with the understanding that all of us are continually dependent upon God’s mercy.

The prophet Micah beautifully summarizes this balance:

“He has told you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

That is the path of wisdom.

Pursue righteousness.

Reject wickedness.

But never forget that every step you take is possible only because of God’s grace.

As we grow in Christ, we should become increasingly holy—but also increasingly humble.

The closer we draw to God, the more clearly we recognize both His holiness and our need for Him.

Application:

  • Pursue God’s righteousness without becoming self-righteous.
  • Remember that every believer depends daily upon God’s grace.
  • Be quick to extend grace to others, recognizing your own need for mercy.
  • Resist both pride and compromise, walking humbly with God instead.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where self-righteousness may have taken root in your heart.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace and mercy toward me. Forgive me for the times I have compared myself to others instead of looking to Your perfect standard. Help me to pursue holiness with humility, recognizing my continual need for Your forgiveness and strength. Teach me to extend grace to others just as You have shown grace to me. May my life reflect both a desire to obey You and a humble dependence upon You each day. 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.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms

God Restores Those Who Trust Him (Psalm 60)

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When life feels shaken and everything around us seems uncertain, where do we turn for hope?

Key Verse:
“With God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.” —Psalm 60:12 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 60 was written during a difficult period in David’s reign when Israel experienced military setbacks before God ultimately granted victory (see the heading of Psalm 60 and 2 Samuel 8). David recognized that these defeats were not simply military events—they were opportunities for God’s people to humble themselves, seek Him, and remember that victory comes from the Lord rather than from human strength.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 60

Lament over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.

For the choir director; according to Shushan Eduth. A Mikhtam of David, to teach; when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

1O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us;
You have been angry; O, restore us.

      2You have made the land quake, You have split it open;
Heal its breaches, for it totters.

      3You have made Your people experience hardship;
You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger.

      4You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth.

Selah.

      5That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and answer us!

      6God has spoken in His holiness:
“I will exult, I will portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth.

      7“Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the helmet of My head;
Judah is My scepter.

      8“Moab is My washbowl;
Over Edom I shall throw My shoe;
Shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!”

      9Who will bring me into the besieged city?
Who will lead me to Edom?

      10Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us?
And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?

      11O give us help against the adversary,
For deliverance by man is in vain.

      12Through God we shall do valiantly,
And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

Reflection:

Psalm 60 begins with words that might surprise us.

David says:

“O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us.”

These are not the words of a man pretending everything is fine.

David recognizes that Israel’s circumstances have changed, and rather than blaming others or relying on military strategy alone, he first looks to God.

One of the marks of spiritual maturity is recognizing that every circumstance should drive us closer to the Lord. Whether we are experiencing success or hardship, our first question should not be, “How do I fix this?” but rather, “Lord, what are You teaching me?”

David continues by describing the nation as though the earth itself had been shaken:

“You have made the land quake, You have split it open; Heal its breaches, for it totters.” (Psalm 60:2)

Many of us have experienced seasons that felt exactly like that. A health crisis, the loss of a loved one, financial hardship, broken relationships, or unexpected disappointments can make life feel unstable beneath our feet.

Yet David does not stop with the problem.

He turns to God’s promises.

He declares:

“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” (Psalm 60:4)

A banner identified an army and served as a rallying point for its soldiers. Earlier in Exodus 17, after Israel’s victory over Amalek, Moses built an altar and named it “The LORD is My Banner” (Yahweh Nissi). The image reminds us that our confidence is found not in ourselves but in the Lord who fights for His people.

David then records God’s promises concerning His sovereign rule over the land. While nations rise and fall and circumstances continually change, God’s authority never changes. He remains King over every nation and every generation.

Finally, David reaches the conclusion that becomes the heart of the psalm:

“Give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain.” (Psalm 60:11)

How easy it is to place our hope in people.

We trust our own abilities.

We depend on leaders, organizations, wealth, or influence.

While God often works through people, David reminds us that ultimate deliverance never comes from human strength alone.

The psalm closes with one of Scripture’s great declarations of confidence:

“With God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.”

Notice the balance.

David does not say, “God will do everything, so we need do nothing.”

Nor does he say, “We will accomplish victory by our own efforts.”

Instead, he recognizes that God’s people are called to act courageously while depending completely upon the Lord for the outcome.

This truth echoes throughout Scripture.

Proverbs 21:31 says:

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.”

Likewise, Paul encourages believers:

“If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Faith does not ignore life’s battles.

Faith faces them with confidence because God remains sovereign.

Psalm 60 reminds us that there will be seasons when life feels uncertain and our own strength seems insufficient. During those times, our hope is not found in ourselves or in the wisdom of the world.

Our hope is found in the Lord.

When we trust Him, humble ourselves before Him, and faithfully follow where He leads, we can face every challenge with confidence, knowing that our ultimate victory rests in His hands.

Application:

  • Bring your struggles honestly before God instead of trying to carry them alone.
  • Remember that difficult seasons often draw us into deeper dependence upon the Lord.
  • Place your confidence in God’s strength rather than in human ability.
  • Face life’s challenges with courage, trusting God for the outcome.
  • Thank God that He remains sovereign even when life feels uncertain.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for being my strength and my hope when life feels uncertain. Help me to trust You instead of relying on my own understanding or the strength of others. Give me courage to face every challenge, knowing that true victory comes from You alone. Teach me to seek You first in every circumstance and to rest confidently in Your sovereign care. May my life continually reflect my trust 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.

Fear / Reverence for God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Worship the Creator (Revelation 14:6-7)

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Who receives your worship—not just with your words, but with your life?

Key Verse:
“Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” —Revelation 14:7 NASB

Background Context:
After John’s visions of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, Revelation 14 shifts the focus back to God and His sovereign purposes. John sees an angel flying in midheaven proclaiming an eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. His message is remarkably simple yet profoundly important: fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him as the Creator of all things. Before Revelation continues with scenes of judgment, God extends one more universal call for mankind to turn to Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 14:6-7

Vision of the Angel with the Gospel

      6And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

Reflection:

The first angel’s proclamation is described as the “eternal gospel.” While we often summarize the Gospel by speaking of Christ’s death and resurrection, the Bible consistently places that message within a much larger story. The Gospel begins with the Creator.

The angel does not call people to worship an unknown deity or a god created by human imagination. He points them to the One who “made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

This language is intentional.

It echoes the opening words of Genesis:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

It also reminds us of the Fourth Commandment:

“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:11)

From the beginning of Scripture to the end, God identifies Himself as the Creator. Because He created all things, He alone has the authority to define truth, establish what is right and wrong, and receive our worship.

The angel’s message also reminds us that worship is inseparably connected to recognizing who God is.

He says:

“Fear God.”

Biblical fear is not merely terror.

It is reverence.

It is humble recognition that God is holy, sovereign, righteous, and worthy of our obedience.

This is the same conclusion Solomon reached after examining every pursuit life has to offer:

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

To fear God is not to run from Him.

It is to submit ourselves to Him.

The angel continues:

“Give Him glory.”

Giving God glory means recognizing His greatness and living in a way that reflects His worth. Worship is far more than singing songs once a week. It is a life lived in grateful submission to the One who made us and redeemed us.

Finally, the angel commands:

“Worship Him.”

Notice that Revelation continually presents humanity with only two choices.

Will we worship the beast…

or will we worship the Creator?

There is no neutral ground.

This continues one of the major themes of Revelation. Earlier we saw the world worship the dragon and the beast. Now God extends another gracious invitation for every nation, tribe, language, and people to worship Him instead.

The order is also significant.

The call to worship comes before the announcement of judgment.

God’s desire has always been that people would repent and turn to Him. Peter writes:

“The Lord is… patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Even in Revelation, a book often associated with judgment, we see God’s mercy on display as He calls the entire world to worship Him before judgment is fully poured out.

As followers of Yeshua, this passage challenges us to ask an important question.

Who truly receives our worship?

While few people today bow before carved idols, many devote their hearts to success, wealth, entertainment, comfort, politics, or countless other pursuits. Whatever occupies first place in our hearts has become an object of worship.

The angel reminds us that there is only One worthy of our worship.

The One who created us.

The One who redeemed us.

The One who alone deserves all glory, honor, and praise.

Application:

  • Worship God as your Creator and Redeemer every day, not only during corporate worship.
  • Ask God to reveal anything that may be competing for first place in your heart.
  • Remember that fearing God means reverencing Him and joyfully submitting to His authority.
  • Glorify God through your words, your choices, and your daily life.
  • Share the good news that the Creator lovingly calls all people to Himself before judgment comes.

Closing Prayer:

Father, You alone are worthy of all worship, honor, and glory. Thank You for creating me, sustaining me, and redeeming me through Yeshua. Help me to fear You rightly, to give You the glory You deserve, and to worship You with my whole life. Reveal anything that has taken Your rightful place in my heart, and draw me into deeper devotion to You. May my life continually point others to You, the Creator and King of all. 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.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Holy / Set Apart, Obeying God, Revelation, Worldliness

Follow the Lamb Wherever He Goes (Revelation 14:1-5)

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When the world offers countless voices to follow, who are we truly following?

Key Verse:
“These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” —Revelation 14:4b NASB

Background Context:
After revealing the rise of the beast, the false prophet, and the deception that leads many to worship them, John is given a new vision. He sees the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 who bear His Father’s name on their foreheads. This scene provides a beautiful contrast to the previous chapter. While many receive the mark of the beast and follow him, these believers are identified by their unwavering allegiance to the Lamb.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 14:1-5

The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion

      1Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Reflection:

One of the beautiful patterns throughout Revelation is that whenever darkness seems overwhelming, God reminds His people that He is still at work.

After the frightening scenes of Revelation 13, John immediately sees the Lamb.

The beast is not the final word.

The Lamb is.

Standing with Him are 144,000 who have His Father’s name written on their foreheads. In the previous chapter, those who followed the beast received his mark. Here, God’s people are identified not by the beast but by the name of their Father. Once again, Revelation presents humanity as belonging to one of two kingdoms. Every person ultimately identifies with either the Lamb or the beast.

The emphasis of this passage is not on the number itself but on the identity and character of those who belong to God. They are marked as His own, set apart for His purposes, and secure in His presence.

John hears a new song that no one else can learn. Throughout Scripture, a “new song” often celebrates God’s mighty acts of redemption and deliverance (Psalm 40:3; Psalm 96:1). Those who have experienced God’s saving work have a testimony that cannot be manufactured. Their worship flows from lives transformed by His grace.

Perhaps the most striking description comes in verse 4:

“These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”

This is the defining characteristic of God’s people.

They follow.

They do not simply admire the Lamb.

They do not merely acknowledge who He is.

They follow Him.

Following the Lamb means trusting Him when the path is easy and when it is difficult. It means remaining faithful when the world pressures us to compromise. It means obeying His Word even when His ways differ from the values of our culture.

Yeshua gave this same invitation during His earthly ministry:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

He also said:

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Following Christ has never been merely a statement of belief. It is a daily decision to walk in His footsteps.

John also describes these believers as those “in whose mouth no lie was found.” Their lives reflect integrity because they belong to the One who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In a world increasingly characterized by deception—as Revelation 13 vividly demonstrated—God’s people are called to be people of truth.

The contrast between Revelation 13 and Revelation 14 could not be greater.

One group follows the beast.

The other follows the Lamb.

One bears the beast’s mark.

The other bears the Father’s name.

One is deceived by the world.

The other remains faithful to God.

Every day we are faced with the same choice. While the final fulfillment of Revelation still lies ahead, the call to discipleship is present today. We are continually deciding whose voice we will listen to and whose example we will follow.

May we be known as those who follow the Lamb wherever He leads.

Application:

  • Examine whether your daily decisions reflect a life that follows the Lamb.
  • Find your identity in belonging to God rather than in the values of the world.
  • Choose truth and integrity, even when deception is popular.
  • Worship God with gratitude for His redeeming work in your life.
  • Remain faithful to Christ, trusting Him wherever He leads.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for calling me to belong to You through the Lamb, Yeshua. Help me to follow Him faithfully wherever He leads, trusting Your wisdom above my own. Guard my heart from the deception of the world and strengthen me to live with integrity and truth. May my life continually reflect that I bear Your name and belong to Your kingdom. 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.

Humility, Purposeful / Intentional, Teachable, Wise

Wise Leaders Welcome Godly Counsel (Exodus 18:13-27)

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Are we humble enough to receive wise counsel, even when it means changing the way we have always done things?

Key Verse:
“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you.” —Exodus 18:19a NASB

Background Context:
After rejoicing over God’s faithfulness to Israel, Jethro observed Moses carrying the enormous responsibility of judging every dispute among the people. From morning until evening, Moses alone listened to every case. Seeing the burden this placed on Moses and the people alike, Jethro lovingly offered wise counsel. Rather than becoming defensive, Moses listened, sought God’s will, and implemented a better system of leadership.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 18:13-27

      13It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. 14Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” 15Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16“When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Jethro Counsels Moses

      17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22“Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23“If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”

      24So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 26They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. 27Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.

Reflection:

One of the most remarkable qualities of Moses in this passage is not his leadership—it is his humility.

Moses was God’s chosen leader. He had witnessed the burning bush, confronted Pharaoh, led Israel through the Red Sea, and spoken directly with the Lord. Yet when Jethro observed his leadership and said, “The thing that you are doing is not good” (Exodus 18:17), Moses did not become offended or defensive.

Instead, he listened.

That takes humility.

Sometimes the hardest advice to receive is not criticism from an enemy, but loving correction from someone who genuinely cares about us. Pride resists correction because it assumes we already know the best way. Humility recognizes that God often uses other people to help us grow.

The book of Proverbs repeatedly teaches this principle.

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14)

And again:

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)

Wise counsel is one of God’s gifts. It protects us from unnecessary burdens, blind spots, and poor decisions.

Jethro also recognized something Moses did not fully appreciate: no one person is meant to carry every burden alone.

He warned Moses:

“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” (Exodus 18:18)

God never intended healthy leadership to depend upon one exhausted individual doing everything. Instead, Jethro advised Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy men to share the responsibility, while Moses focused on teaching God’s statutes and seeking the Lord on behalf of the people.

This was not abandoning responsibility.

It was stewarding responsibility wisely.

Many of us struggle with this lesson. Sometimes we hesitate to delegate because we think no one else can do the job as well. Other times we simply find it easier to continue carrying every responsibility ourselves. Yet refusing to share responsibilities often leads to exhaustion, frustration, and even discouragement.

The New Testament echoes this same principle. Paul describes the church as one body with many members, each gifted differently for the work God has given them (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). No single believer possesses every gift or carries every responsibility. God designed His people to work together.

Likewise, Galatians 6:2 encourages us:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Healthy leadership is not about doing everything ourselves.

It is about equipping others to serve alongside us.

Notice also that Jethro’s counsel was deeply rooted in God’s priorities. Moses was not simply told to reduce his workload. He was instructed to devote himself to the tasks only he could fulfill—teaching God’s Word, representing the people before God, and helping them understand how to walk according to His instruction.

The same principle applies today. God has entrusted each of us with unique responsibilities. While we should faithfully fulfill those responsibilities, we should also recognize that He often accomplishes His work through the gifts and service of others.

Finally, Moses provides a wonderful example for every leader.

He listened.

He learned.

He changed.

Exodus simply tells us:

“So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” (Exodus 18:24)

What a beautiful testimony.

May we have hearts that are just as teachable.

Application:

  • Welcome wise, biblical counsel instead of becoming defensive.
  • Recognize that humility is a strength, not a weakness.
  • Ask God to reveal responsibilities that should be shared with others.
  • Encourage and equip others to use the gifts God has given them.
  • Remember that healthy leadership seeks God’s wisdom and works together with His people.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for placing wise people in my life who encourage, challenge, and strengthen me. Give me a humble heart that welcomes godly counsel and is willing to change when needed. Help me not to carry burdens You intended to be shared, and teach me to trust others as we work together for Your kingdom. May my leadership always reflect humility, wisdom, and dependence upon 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.

Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Share the Good News, Thankfulness

Remember and Tell Others What God Has Done (Exodus 18:1–12)

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How often do we intentionally tell others what God has done in our lives?

Key Verse:
“Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the journey, and how the LORD had delivered them.” —Exodus 18:8 NASB

Background Context:
After Israel’s victory over the Amalekites, Moses was reunited with his wife, Zipporah, his two sons, and his father-in-law, Jethro. As they gathered together, Moses took time to recount everything the Lord had done—from delivering Israel out of Egypt to faithfully providing for them throughout their journey. Hearing these things, Jethro rejoiced, praised the Lord, confessed His greatness, and worshiped Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 18:1–12

Jethro, Moses’ Father-in-law

      1Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, 3and her two sons, of whom one was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” 4The other was named Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

      5Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. 6He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.” 7Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. 8Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the journey, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10So Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.” 12Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Reflection:

One of the beautiful themes throughout Scripture is God’s desire for His people to remember His faithfulness and to share it with others. That is exactly what Moses does in this passage.

Notice that Moses does not simply say, “Things have been going well.”

He carefully recounts all that the Lord had done.

He spoke of God’s deliverance from Pharaoh.

He spoke of the hardships Israel had experienced.

He spoke of God’s faithfulness through every difficulty.

And he gave God the glory for every victory.

This is a wonderful example for us. It is easy to talk about our accomplishments, our plans, or even our problems. Yet how often do we intentionally tell others what God has done?

The psalmist encourages us:

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.” (Psalm 105:1)

Likewise:

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary.” (Psalm 107:2)

God never intended His faithfulness to become a private experience. Our testimonies encourage fellow believers, strengthen those who are struggling, and often point unbelievers toward the Lord.

Jethro’s response is just as instructive.

After hearing Moses’ testimony, he rejoices over God’s goodness.

He declares:

“Blessed be the LORD… Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods.” (Exodus 18:10–11)

Moses’ testimony led directly to worship.

That should remind us that the purpose of sharing our testimony is not to draw attention to ourselves but to glorify God. The hero of Moses’ story was never Moses.

The hero was the Lord.

Peter later encourages believers to always be ready to explain the hope that is within them (1 Peter 3:15). We do not need to have dramatic life stories or extraordinary experiences. We simply need to faithfully tell others what God has done in our lives.

Perhaps He has carried you through a difficult season.

Perhaps He has answered a prayer.

Perhaps He has provided when you did not know how your needs would be met.

Perhaps He has given you peace in the midst of suffering.

Every believer has a testimony because every believer has experienced God’s grace.

Finally, notice that Moses did not hide the hardships.

He shared both the trials and God’s deliverance.

Sometimes we are tempted to tell only the happy parts of our story. Yet it is often through our struggles that God’s faithfulness shines most clearly. When others hear how God sustained us during difficult seasons, they are encouraged to trust Him through their own.

As followers of Yeshua, we should become people who naturally speak about God’s goodness. Our conversations should regularly point others back to Him.

The more we remember what God has done, the more our hearts are filled with gratitude.

The more we tell others what He has done, the more He is glorified.

Application:

  • Take time to remember specific ways God has been faithful in your life.
  • Share your testimony with family, friends, and fellow believers.
  • Give God the credit for His work rather than focusing on yourself.
  • Don’t hide the difficult parts of your story—God often uses them to encourage others.
  • Look for opportunities to point people toward the Lord through your everyday conversations.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness throughout every season of my life. Forgive me for the times I have been quick to talk about myself but slow to speak about Your goodness. Help me to remember what You have done and to share my testimony in a way that brings glory to You. Use my words to encourage other believers and to point those who do not yet know You toward the hope that is found in Yeshua. May my life continually declare Your 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.