Category Archives: Eternity in Mind

All Powerful / King of All, Eternity in Mind, Fear / Reverence for God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Hope, Obeying God

The Plans of Men vs. the Plans of God (Exodus 1)

When hardship comes, do you see only oppression — or the hand of God preparing something greater?

Key Verse:
“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out…” —Exodus 1:12 NASB

Background Context:
Exodus opens with growth and multiplication. God’s promise to Abraham is unfolding. Israel is increasing in Egypt.

But a new Pharaoh arises who does not know Joseph. Fear replaces gratitude. Oppression replaces favor. What began as refuge becomes bondage.

The stage is set for deliverance — but it begins in darkness.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 1

Israel Multiplies in Egypt

     1Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household: 2Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5All the persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already in Egypt. 6Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.

      8Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. 10“Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.” 11So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel. 13The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; 14and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.

      15Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah; 16and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. 18So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?” 19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.” 20So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. 21Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them. 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.”

Reflection on Exodus 1:
It is natural for us to view the world from our own perspective — to focus on the plans we make and the outcomes we believe we can control. While stewardship and responsibility matter, how much more important is it to seek the plans of God and offer our lives to be part of His purposes?

Only God’s plans endure.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that life “under the sun” — life viewed only from a human perspective — can feel like chasing the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Even the wise and accomplished are eventually forgotten (Ecclesiastes 2:16). In the end, what matters is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

Consider Joseph. He saved Egypt from famine. He rose to second in command. He brought wealth and stability to Pharaoh’s kingdom. By every human measure, his accomplishments should have secured lasting honor.

But Exodus 1 tells us a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph. It was as if Joseph had never existed. His name was forgotten. His people were enslaved.

Human recognition fades.

Yet God’s plans did not fade.

Even under brutal oppression, Israel multiplied. God was preparing His people for the promised land. Pharaoh’s power could not stop covenant promises. What looked like suffering was also preparation.

We often cannot see what God is doing while we are in the middle of hardship. But Scripture assures us: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). He declares, “I know the plans that I have for you… plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

I can look back on seasons of difficulty in my own life where I did not understand the purpose at the time. Yet later I saw how God was shaping perspective, deepening faith, refining motives, and preparing me for what was ahead. Hardship was not wasted.

Exodus 1 teaches us that oppression does not cancel God’s purposes. It may even be the soil in which they grow stronger.

Pharaoh believed he was controlling the future. In reality, he was stepping into the unfolding plan of God.

The same is true today. Our suffering is not proof that God has forgotten us. It may be evidence that He is preparing us.

Application:

  • Reflect on where human recognition has faded — but God’s faithfulness has remained.

  • Ask God to align your plans with His eternal purposes.

  • Look back and identify ways hardship strengthened your faith.

  • Trust that present suffering may be preparation for future calling.

  • Fear God and obey Him — His plans alone endure.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me see beyond what is visible. When I face hardship, guard me from despair and teach me to trust that You are working. Align my life with Your purposes, not temporary success. Use every season — even difficult ones — to shape me for what You have prepared. 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.

Eternity in Mind, Faith / Trusting God, Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer

The Day of the Lord and the Promise of Restoration (Joel 3)

What does it mean to stand on God’s side when justice comes?

Joel 3 speaks of God’s coming judgment upon the nations and His promise of restoration for His people. This chapter encourages us to align our lives with God’s justice and to trust in His power to bring true restoration.

Key Verse:
“But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.” – Joel 3:16 (NIV)

Background Context:
In Joel 3, God declares His intention to gather all nations for judgment in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. This gathering represents the “day of the Lord,” a time when God will judge those who have oppressed His people and violated His commands. While this chapter contains warnings of judgment, it also holds promises of refuge and restoration for those who align themselves with God. Joel’s message serves as both a call to repentance and a reminder of God’s faithfulness to protect and renew His people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Joel 3

The Nations Will Be Judged

1“For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

      2I will gather all the nations
And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
Then I will enter into judgment with them there
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
And they have divided up My land.

      3“They have also cast lots for My people,
Traded a boy for a harlot
And sold a girl for wine that they may drink.

4“Moreover, what are you to Me, O Tyre, Sidon and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering Me a recompense? But if you do recompense Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your recompense on your head. 5“Since you have taken My silver and My gold, brought My precious treasures to your temples, 6and sold the sons of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their territory, 7behold, I am going to arouse them from the place where you have sold them, and return your recompense on your head. 8“Also I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the sons of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a distant nation,” for the LORD has spoken.

      9Proclaim this among the nations:
Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men!
Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!

      10Beat your plowshares into swords
And your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.”

      11Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations,
And gather yourselves there.
Bring down, O LORD, Your mighty ones.

      12Let the nations be aroused
And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat,
For there I will sit to judge
All the surrounding nations.

      13Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread, for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.

      14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

      15The sun and moon grow dark
And the stars lose their brightness.

      16The LORD roars from Zion
And utters His voice from Jerusalem,
And the heavens and the earth tremble.
But the LORD is a refuge for His people
And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.

      17Then you will know that I am the LORD your God,
Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain.
So Jerusalem will be holy,
And strangers will pass through it no more.

Judah Will Be Blessed

18And in that day
The mountains will drip with sweet wine,
And the hills will flow with milk,
And all the brooks of Judah will flow with water;
And a spring will go out from the house of the LORD
To water the valley of Shittim.

      19Egypt will become a waste,
And Edom will become a desolate wilderness,
Because of the violence done to the sons of Judah,
In whose land they have shed innocent blood.

      20But Judah will be inhabited forever
And Jerusalem for all generations.

      21And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged,
For the LORD dwells in Zion.

Reflection on Joel 3:

  • The Call for Justice: God’s judgment on the nations underscores His commitment to justice. The nations gathered in the Valley of Jehoshaphat have oppressed and exploited God’s people, and now they are called to account for their actions. This scene reminds us that God is a just judge who does not overlook wrongdoing. Are there injustices in your life or in the world that weigh heavily on you? Trust that God sees all things and will bring justice in His time, calling us to align our hearts with His standards of righteousness.
  • God as a Refuge for His People: In the midst of judgment, God promises to be a “refuge for His people.” This image of God as a stronghold highlights His protective love for those who follow Him. Just as a fortress shields from harm, God’s presence is a source of strength and safety. Are you seeking refuge in God during challenging times? Lean into His presence, finding peace in His promises and assurance in His protection.
  • The Valley of Decision: Joel describes a “multitude in the valley of decision,” where people must choose their stance before God’s justice (Joel 3:14). This call to decision-making reminds us that we all must choose whom we will serve—whether we will align our lives with God’s will or follow our own ways. Is there an area in your life where you need to make a decision to follow God more closely? Let today be the day you reaffirm your commitment to Him.
  • Hope in the Promise of Restoration: Joel 3 ends with a powerful image of restoration: “Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations” (Joel 3:20). God’s ultimate plan is not just judgment but also restoration for His people. This promise speaks to the hope we have in Christ—our true restoration, both now and for eternity. Are you in need of God’s restorative power in your life? Trust that He can renew every broken area, bringing healing and hope where there has been loss.
  • Living with an Eternal Perspective: Joel’s prophecy about the day of the Lord challenges us to live with an awareness of eternity. God’s ultimate judgment reminds us to consider the lasting significance of our actions and decisions. Living with an eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and encourages us to seek God’s kingdom above all else. Are you keeping eternity in mind as you make daily choices? Let God’s eternal promises guide your life, aligning your heart and actions with His purposes.

Summary Key Points:

  • God’s Justice Will Prevail: God is a just judge who will bring accountability for every wrongdoing, calling us to uphold His standards.
  • God Is Our Refuge and Stronghold: In times of trial, God provides protection and peace to those who seek refuge in Him.
  • The Valley of Decision Calls for a Response: Each of us must choose to follow God wholeheartedly, aligning our lives with His will.
  • Restoration Is God’s Promise for His People: God’s desire is to renew and restore His people, bringing healing to every broken area of life.
  • Live with an Eternal Perspective: Keeping eternity in view shapes our values and decisions, helping us to honor God in all we do.

Application:
Reflect on areas of your life where you may need to make a decision to follow God more closely. Ask Him to help you align with His justice and to find refuge in His presence. Pray for His restorative power in areas of brokenness, trusting that He will bring renewal and hope. As you go about your day, keep eternity in mind, choosing to live in a way that honors God’s kingdom.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our refuge and stronghold. Help us to stand firm in Your justice and to seek Your will in all we do. Guide us in the valley of decision, strengthening our commitment to follow You wholeheartedly. Restore and renew every broken area in our lives, filling us with the hope of Your promises. May we live with an eternal perspective, honoring You in all things. In Jesus’ 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.