Category Archives: Faith / Trusting God

Faith / Trusting God, Protector / Deliverer, Provider

Choosing by Faith, Not by Sight (Genesis 13)

When we trust God with our future, we don’t have to grasp for what looks best now.

Key Verse:
“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are… for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.’” —Genesis 13:14–15 NASB

Background Context:
After leaving Egypt, Abram and Lot return to the land between Bethel and Ai, where Abram first built an altar. Their herds and possessions have grown so large that the land can no longer support them both. Strife breaks out between their herdsmen, prompting Abram to propose a peaceful solution: they will separate. Abram graciously allows Lot to choose first. Lot, seeing the well-watered Jordan Valley, chooses what looks best for himself—settling near Sodom. After Lot departs, God reaffirms His promises to Abram, expanding on His covenant and assuring Abram of the land’s inheritance.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 13

Abram and Lot

      1So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him.

      2Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold. 3He went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4to the place of the altar which he had made there formerly; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. 5Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. 7And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

      8So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. 9“Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. 12Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.

      14The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; 15for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. 16“I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. 17“Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” 18Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Reflection on Genesis 13:
Abram’s response to conflict is remarkable. Instead of grasping for the best land or demanding his rights, he seeks peace and lets Lot choose first. This wasn’t weakness—it was faith. Abram knew that his blessing didn’t depend on the land he chose, but on the God who had called him.

Lot, by contrast, chose based on appearances. He saw that the Jordan Valley was “like the garden of the Lord” and moved toward it. But the beauty masked danger—it brought him near the wickedness of Sodom. This is a picture of what happens when we choose by sight alone, without seeking God’s direction.

After Lot leaves, God tells Abram to “lift up your eyes”—a powerful contrast to Lot lifting his own. God invites Abram to see not with grasping eyes, but with trusting ones, reminding him that all the land would be his. Abram responds again by building an altar, anchoring his faith in worship.

Application:
When you face choices—especially ones involving conflict or tension—do you lift your own eyes, grasping for what looks best? Or do you trust God to provide? Like Abram, we are called to seek peace, walk in humility, and trust that God’s promises are bigger than what we can secure on our own.

If you’ve been tempted to choose like Lot—based on appearance alone—pause and ask God for His perspective. The safest place is always within His will, even if it doesn’t look like the “best land.”

Closing Prayer:
Lord, teach me to lift my eyes to You instead of relying on what I see. Help me to choose faith over fear, humility over self-interest, and Your will over my own desires. Thank You for being my Provider and my inheritance. 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, Guide, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Salvation

Believe in the Light (John 12:27-50)

Even in sorrow and rejection, Yeshua remained steadfast in His mission to glorify the Father and bring salvation.

Key Verse:
“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” —John 12:46 NASB

Background Context:
As the hour of His death approaches, Jesus shares deeply personal and prophetic truths with the crowd. Though His soul is troubled, He affirms that this is the very purpose for which He came—to be lifted up, to draw all people to Himself, and to glorify the Father. A voice from heaven confirms this mission, though the crowd struggles to understand both the voice and Jesus’ words. Many still do not believe, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Some do believe, yet fear keeps them silent. Jesus ends His public ministry with a final plea: believe in the Light before it’s too late.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 12:27-50

Jesus Foretells His Death

     27“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28“Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. 31“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” 33But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. 34The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36“While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”
These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. 37But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?” 39For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40“HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.” 41These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

      44And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45“He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47“If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49“For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50“I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Reflection on John 12:27–50:
This is one of the most sobering and heartfelt moments in Jesus’ ministry. Though fully divine, He is also fully human—His soul is troubled, knowing the suffering He is about to endure. But He does not shrink back. Instead, He presses forward: “For this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”

And the Father responds—with a voice from heaven, affirming His glory in what has been and what is yet to come. Still, the people waver. Some hear thunder, some hear an angel, and many still do not believe. Others believe in secret, but fear of man keeps them from following boldly.

Jesus doesn’t back away from these tensions. He calls people to walk in the Light while they still have it. And He warns that rejecting Him is not without consequence—His very words will judge in the end.

But this message is still drenched in mercy. He says He came not to judge the world, but to save it. He came to bring Light, so we wouldn’t remain in darkness.

Application:
Are you walking in the Light or dabbling in the shadows? Jesus’ words still call out today: Believe in the Light. Don’t let fear of others, pride, or uncertainty cause you to reject the truth—or to hide your faith when you know the truth.

If you’ve been hesitant to stand for Yeshua, take heart. He sees, He knows, and He calls you to courage. The Light still shines for those who will believe and follow.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Yeshua as Light into the world. Forgive me when I’ve allowed fear or doubt to dim my faith. Help me to walk boldly in the Light, to trust in Your words, and to glorify You with my life. May I be counted among those who believe and follow, no matter the cost. 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, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Prophecy

The King Who Comes in Humility (John 12:12-19)

The world expected power, but the Messiah arrived in meekness.

Key Verse:
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” —John 12:15 NASB

Background Context:
This passage describes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem—a moment deeply symbolic and prophetically significant. As pilgrims gathered for the Passover feast, the crowd welcomed Jesus with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna!”—a plea for salvation. They recognized Him as the long-awaited Messiah, quoting from Psalm 118. Yet Jesus did not enter like a warrior king. He fulfilled Zechariah 9:9 by riding a donkey’s colt, a sign of humility and peace. The crowd’s enthusiasm was sparked in part by His recent miracle of raising Lazarus, while the Pharisees, threatened by His growing influence, watched with alarm.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 12:12-19

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

     12On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.” 14Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15“FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.” 16These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”

Reflection on John 12:12–19:
The people shouted “Hosanna!” expecting a conquering king—someone to overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s national glory. But Jesus came not to meet their expectations, but to fulfill the Father’s mission. Riding a donkey, not a war horse, He declared Himself a different kind of King—one who brings peace before power, and humility before triumph.

The disciples didn’t fully grasp the significance of this moment until later. Like them, we often understand God’s work only in hindsight. What seemed confusing at the time was fulfillment in progress.

Those who had seen Lazarus raised continued to testify, spreading the word and drawing even more people to Jesus. The movement could not be stopped. Even the Pharisees, frustrated and fearful, acknowledged, “The world has gone after Him.”

The irony is that many in this same crowd would later call for His crucifixion. Their praise was real—but shallow. They celebrated a king who matched their hopes, not a Savior who would call them to surrender.

Application:
How do you respond when Jesus doesn’t meet your expectations? Are you still willing to follow the humble King—the One who comes not with force, but with a cross?

Hosanna is more than a cheer—it’s a prayer: “Save us now.” Let it come from your heart today. Worship not just the Jesus who performs miracles, but the One who reigns in humility and truth.

And remember: when you testify about what He’s done—like those who witnessed Lazarus’ resurrection—others are drawn to meet Him too.

Closing Prayer:
King Jesus, I welcome You not just with words, but with my life. Teach me to celebrate who You truly are—not who I want You to be. Help me to follow You in humility, trust You in confusion, and proclaim what You’ve done so others may believe. In Your name, Hosanna—save me now. 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, Guide, Obeying God

Faith That Packs and Goes (Genesis 12:1-9)

God’s promises unfold when we’re willing to move in faith.

Key Verse:
“So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him…” —Genesis 12:4a NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 12 marks a major turning point in God’s redemptive plan. After generations of human rebellion and scattering, God calls one man—Abram—to follow Him into the unknown. The Lord gives a sevenfold promise: Abram will become a great nation, receive blessing, and be a blessing to all the families of the earth. The command is clear: go. And Abram obeys. At seventy-five years old, he departs from his homeland and all that’s familiar to follow God into Canaan. His journey begins in faith—and his response is marked by worship.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 12:1-9

Abram Journeys to Egypt

      1Now the LORD said to Abram,
“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;

      2And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;

      3And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

      4So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. 6Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 7The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. 8Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. 9Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.

      10Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; 12and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13“Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” 14It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.

      17But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19“Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.

Reflection on Genesis 12:1–9:
God didn’t show Abram the full map—only the next step: “Go… to the land I will show you.” He left behind his country, relatives, and safety. He didn’t ask for guarantees. He didn’t negotiate. He obeyed.

This is the kind of faith that pleases God: faith that walks before it sees. Abram’s trust in the promises of God—especially without visible proof—is why he is later called the father of faith (Romans 4:11). His story reminds us that faith is not just belief—it’s movement.

And notice how Abram responds when God confirms the promise in the land: he builds altars. One at Shechem. One near Bethel. These were not just piles of stones—they were declarations: “God brought me here. God gets the glory.”

Even as he continues to journey through unfamiliar territory, Abram worships. He calls on the name of the Lord, not just in arrival, but in every step.

Application:
What is God asking you to step into—even if the full picture isn’t clear? Maybe it’s a calling, a change, or an act of obedience that feels uncomfortable. Like Abram, you don’t need all the answers—you just need to trust the One giving the instruction.

And as you walk, build altars of remembrance. Mark the places where God met you, led you, or confirmed His Word. Let every act of obedience be paired with an act of worship.

Closing Prayer:
Father, give me the faith of Abram—to go where You lead, even when the path is unclear. Help me to trust Your promises and respond with obedience and worship. May my life be a blessing to others as I walk in faith and follow 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.

Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways

When the Delay Is for Glory (John 11:1-46)

God is never late—He’s working on something greater.

Key Verse:
“Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” —John 11:40 NASB

Background Context:
John 11 records one of the most powerful miracles in Yeshua’s ministry—the raising of Lazarus from the dead. His close friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in Bethany, and when Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent for Jesus. But instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited two more days. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead four days. Grief, disappointment, and confusion surrounded the moment—but what followed was a divine revelation: Jesus is the resurrection and the life. His timing and His power would display the glory of God in a way no one expected.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 11:1-46

The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus

       1Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 7Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10“But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” 12The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. 14So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” 16Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

      17So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. 21Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22“Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”

      28When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.

      30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus wept. 36So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?”

      38So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42“I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

      45Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.

Reflection on John 11:1–46:
It’s easy to identify with Mary and Martha. They loved Jesus, they trusted Him, and they sent word when trouble came: “Lord, the one You love is sick.” But Jesus didn’t rush. He waited. And the waiting must have felt like abandonment.

Yet His delay was not neglect—it was divine design. “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God.” Sometimes God allows situations to get worse—not because He doesn’t care, but because He is setting the stage for something greater than healing: resurrection.

Martha voiced her disappointment: “Lord, if You had been here…” Still, she clung to faith. Jesus responded with one of the most powerful declarations in all of Scripture: “I am the resurrection and the life.” He didn’t just bring resurrection—He is resurrection. And in calling Lazarus forth, He showed that even death must obey His voice.

And yet, before the miracle, Jesus wept. The Son of God entered their grief—not because He was powerless, but because He is deeply compassionate. Our Savior is not distant from our pain. He stands with us in it—and then speaks life over it.

Application:
Are you in a season where it feels like God has delayed? Trust that He sees, He knows, and He still weeps with you. But also believe that He is working toward something greater than you imagined.

Keep believing—even when things seem hopeless. Jesus still speaks to graves. He still calls forth life from places we thought were too far gone. Your faith in the waiting may be the very space where God reveals His glory.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You that even when You delay, You are still working for Your glory and my good. Strengthen my faith to believe in Your power and Your timing. Help me to trust You in the waiting and to recognize Your presence, even when things feel hopeless. You are the resurrection and the life. 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, Lying / Deceiving, Psalms

Words That Can Be Trusted (Psalm 12)

In a world full of empty promises, God’s Word never fails.

Key Verse:
“The words of the Lord are pure words; like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times.” —Psalm 12:6 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 12 is a cry from David during a time of moral and societal decline. Truth was hard to find, flattery was common, and the wicked seemed to triumph through deceitful speech. David pleads for the Lord to step in and protect the faithful. In response, God assures that He will act and protect the oppressed. In contrast to the lies of men, God’s words are described as pure and trustworthy—like silver refined to perfection.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 12

God, a Helper against the Treacherous.

For the choir director; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.

1Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be,
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

      2They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.

      3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;

      4Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”

      5“Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”

      6The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

      7You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.

      8The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Reflection on Psalm 12:
David begins this psalm with desperation: “Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end.” It’s a familiar feeling for anyone who has looked around and wondered, “Where are the people who still speak truth?”

The world David describes is filled with double-talk and deception. People speak with flattering lips, boast in their own words, and proudly declare that no one will rule over them. It’s a society where words are used as weapons—not for truth, but for manipulation.

But then David contrasts all that with God’s voice: “The words of the Lord are pure.” Unlike human speech, polluted with pride and hidden motives, God’s Word is flawless. Refined seven times. Trustworthy. Clear. Life-giving.

When everything around you feels uncertain and voices are speaking lies, you can anchor your heart in the purity and reliability of God’s Word. It doesn’t shift with opinion or change with culture. It stands—pure, holy, and true.

Application:
Whose words are shaping your thoughts—God’s or the world’s? In a time when deceit and distortion seem to fill the air, make a deliberate choice to fill your heart with God’s Word. Let His promises silence fear. Let His truth clear the confusion.

And be someone who reflects that purity in your own speech—words that build up, not tear down; words that point others to the truth, not away from it.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, help me trust Your Word above every other voice. Cleanse my heart from the influence of flattery, lies, or pride, and let my own words reflect Your purity and truth. Thank You for always speaking what is right. I take refuge in You and in 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.

Faith / Trusting God, Guide, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer

Obedience Before the Rain (Genesis 7)

Faith follows God’s timing—even when the skies are still clear.

Key Verse:
“Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this generation.’” —Genesis 7:1 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 7 records the fulfillment of God’s warning: the great flood. After decades of faithful preparation, Noah and his family enter the ark just as God commanded. The rain begins—forty days and forty nights—and the waters cover even the highest mountains. All living creatures not in the ark perish. This chapter is not only a record of judgment, but also of God’s faithfulness to preserve those who trust and obey Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 7

The Flood

      1Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. 2“You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; 3also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4“For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.” 5Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him.

      6Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth. 7Then Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him entered the ark because of the water of the flood. 8Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that creeps on the ground, 9there went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10It came about after the seven days, that the water of the flood came upon the earth. 11In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. 12The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.

      13On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark, 14they and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, all sorts of birds. 15So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. 16Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.

      17Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. 18The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. 20The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. 21All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; 22of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. 23Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. 24The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.

Reflection on Genesis 7:
Imagine the silence before the first drop fell. No storm clouds. No flood in sight. Just Noah, gathering animals and walking into an ark that may have seemed unnecessary to everyone else. Obedience often looks foolish in the moment—but it’s wisdom in light of eternity.

Noah entered the ark not when the rain started, but before. He trusted God’s Word over what his eyes could see. He didn’t delay. He didn’t argue. He moved in step with God’s timing.

Then something profound happened: “The Lord closed it behind him.” (v.16). God Himself shut the door—not Noah. This wasn’t just a physical act of sealing the ark; it was a spiritual moment of separation—between faith and unbelief, between life and death, between judgment and salvation.

God provided the ark. Noah’s part was to believe, prepare, and enter. Everyone outside had the same opportunity—but they waited too long.

Application:
What has God asked you to prepare for, even though it hasn’t happened yet? Faith means following His voice before you see the reason. It may not make sense to others—but the rains always come.

When God opens a door, step through it. And when He shuts a door, trust that He is protecting you—even if it’s hard to understand. Live ready. Be obedient. And know that salvation is found in trusting God fully, even when the sky is still clear.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk in obedience like Noah. Strengthen my faith to trust Your timing, even when I don’t see the storm yet. Help me respond to Your Word quickly and completely. Thank You for being my refuge in times of trouble and for sealing me with Your grace. 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.

Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Obeying God, Wickedness / Evil

Faith in a Corrupt Generation (Genesis 6)

One man’s obedience stood out in a world full of rebellion.

Key Verse:
“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” —Genesis 6:8 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 6 describes the rapid moral decay of humanity following the fall. The population had grown, but so had wickedness. God saw that “every intent of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually” (v.5), and He was grieved. In response, He determined to bring judgment through a great flood. Yet in the midst of this darkness, one man stood out—Noah. He was righteous, blameless among his generation, and he walked with God. Because of Noah’s faith, God gave him instructions to build an ark, offering both salvation and a new beginning.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 6

The Corruption of Mankind

      1Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

      5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

      9These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. 10Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

      11Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.

      13Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. 14“Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch. 15“This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16“You shall make a window for the ark, and finish it to a cubit from the top; and set the door of the ark in the side of it; you shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17“Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. 18“But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19“And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20“Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21“As for you, take for yourself some of all food which is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them.” 22Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.

Reflection on Genesis 6:
It’s sobering to read that humanity’s sin grieved the heart of God. His creation, made in His image, had turned to violence, corruption, and pride. God is not indifferent to wickedness—He sees, He grieves, and He responds with justice.

But then we read: “But Noah found favor.” One man—surrounded by moral decay—chose to walk with God. Noah didn’t blend in with the culture. He didn’t compromise. His life was marked by obedience, and that made all the difference.

Noah’s faith wasn’t passive. Hebrews 11:7 says that “by faith Noah… prepared an ark.” Building an ark took time, effort, and trust in a God-given warning about something never seen before. Noah had to endure mockery, isolation, and the weight of responsibility to obey when no one else would. But his obedience became the vessel of salvation.

Even in judgment, God made provision for redemption. Through Noah’s faithfulness, the door remained open for others to respond—though tragically, they did not.

Application:
What kind of person are you in the midst of a broken world? Are you blending in, or walking with God like Noah did? It may not be easy to stand apart, but God still looks for those who are willing to be faithful when the world is faithless.

You may not be called to build a boat, but you are called to obedience. To walk with God. To raise a godly family. To live with integrity, even when the culture mocks your faith. And just like Noah, your faith can create a legacy of salvation—for your household and beyond.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, help me walk with You even when the world walks away. Strengthen me to live with integrity and trust, especially when obedience feels costly. Thank You for Your mercy and for making a way through judgment. Let my life be marked by faith like Noah’s, and may others find hope through my obedience. 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, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Strong in Our Weakness

When the Foundations Shake (Psalm 11)

In times of fear, faith must stand firm.

Key Verse:
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” —Psalm 11:3 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 11 is a declaration of trust in God in the face of danger. David’s advisors seem to urge him to flee like a bird to the mountains because the wicked are ready to strike. But David resists the temptation to panic. He roots his confidence not in his circumstances, but in the unshakable truth that the Lord is still on His throne. This psalm is a strong encouragement for believers when everything around them feels uncertain or under attack.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 11

1 I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! 2 The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. 3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” 4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. 5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. 6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. 7For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.

Reflection on Psalm 11:
David begins with bold assurance: “In the Lord I take refuge.” He is being told to run, to hide, to fear. The wicked are preparing their bows in secret, and the foundations of society—justice, truth, leadership—seem to be crumbling. But David knows something deeper: God has not moved.

Verse 3 asks a haunting question: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” It’s a question that still echoes today as we see moral decay, societal instability, or personal crisis. But David answers it—not with fear, but with faith: “The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” In other words, the foundation that matters most has not been shaken.

God sees. He tests both the righteous and the wicked. He loves justice and will bring judgment in His time. For the righteous, this is not a cause for despair—it is a call to remain steady, anchored in the presence and promises of God.

Application:
What do you do when your personal “foundations” feel like they’re falling apart? When culture, family, health, or stability are shaken, where do you run?

Let Psalm 11 remind you: flee not to the mountains, but to the Lord. He is your refuge. He sees what others don’t. He remains on His throne, and He loves righteousness. When things below tremble, look up.

Hold fast to the eternal foundation that cannot be moved—God Himself.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, when I feel shaken, remind me that You are not. Let me take refuge in You and not in fear. Strengthen my heart when the foundations around me falter. Keep my trust anchored in Your throne, and help me live with unshakable faith. 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, Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Unteachable / Foolish

When the Blind See and the Seeing Are Blind (John 9:35-41)

The man who was once blind saw clearer than those who had perfect vision.

Key Verse:
“And he said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshiped Him.” —John 9:38 NASB

Background Context:
After being cast out by the religious leaders for boldly testifying about Yeshua, the healed man finds himself sought out by the very One who gave him sight. Jesus reveals Himself fully to the man as the Son of Man—the promised Messiah. In response, the man not only believes but worships. Jesus then makes a powerful statement about spiritual vision: those who know they are blind can be healed, but those who claim to see while rejecting the truth remain in sin.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

John 9:35-41

Jesus Affirms His Deity

      35Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” 38And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. 39And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 40Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

Reflection on John 9:35–41:
The man began his journey seeing nothing at all. But by the end of the chapter, his eyes are not only physically opened, his heart is spiritually awakened. When Jesus asks, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” the man replies with a hunger for truth: “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” This is the posture of someone truly ready to receive. And when Jesus says, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you,” the man doesn’t hesitate. He believes—and worships.

This act of worship is significant. It is a full-hearted response to the revelation of who Jesus is: not just a healer, not just a prophet, but Lord and Messiah. Meanwhile, the Pharisees overhear and scoff, asking if Jesus is implying they’re blind. Ironically, their insistence that they already “see” is what confirms their blindness. They cannot receive healing because they refuse to admit they need it.

Yeshua’s words echo throughout scripture: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Only those who recognize their need will receive sight.

Application:
Have you humbled yourself before Yeshua with the same openness as the healed man? He wasn’t content with partial answers—he wanted to believe, and once he did, he worshiped. Let your heart be in the same posture: teachable, hungry, and ready to respond.

Also, be careful not to become like the Pharisees—those who think they “see” often become the most blind. Pride in knowledge, status, or tradition can blind us to deeper truths God wants to reveal. Approach His Word with fresh eyes and a heart willing to change.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, I believe. I worship You, my Healer and Savior. Open my eyes to see You more clearly each day, and guard my heart from pride that would keep me from truth. Keep me teachable, humble, and eager to know You more. Help me lead others into Your light with compassion and boldness. 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.