Category Archives: Faith / Trusting God

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Humility, Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Repenting from Sin, Revelation, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

The Lamb Opens the Seals (Revelation 6:1-8)

When the world feels out of control, do you believe God is still in control?

Key Verse:
“I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” —Revelation 6:2 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 4–5, John is shown a vision of heaven where God sits on the throne and Yeshua, the Lamb, is found worthy to open the scroll. This establishes that all authority belongs to God and that Yeshua alone is worthy to carry out His plan.

Now in Revelation 6, the Lamb begins to open the seals. What follows is not random chaos, but the unfolding of God’s judgment on the earth.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 6:1-8

The First Seal—Rider on White Horse

      1Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” 2I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

The Second Seal—War

      3When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” 4And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

The Third Seal—Famine

      5When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.”

The Fourth Seal—Death

      7When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” 8I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Reflection on Revelation 6:1–8:
As the Lamb opens the first four seals, four riders appear—often referred to as the Four Horsemen. Each represents a different aspect of judgment: conquest, war, famine, and death.

The first rider goes out conquering. The second brings war and removes peace from the earth. The third brings scarcity and economic hardship. The fourth brings widespread death through multiple means.

At first glance, this may seem like uncontrolled destruction. But the passage makes something very important clear—none of this happens apart from God’s authority.

Each rider is released only when the Lamb opens a seal.

Each is given permission to act.

This is not chaos without purpose. It is judgment under control.

This challenges how we often view the hardships of the world. When we see war, suffering, and instability, it can feel like everything is spiraling beyond control. But this passage reminds us that even in the midst of judgment, God remains sovereign.

Nothing happens outside of His authority.

At the same time, this passage is sobering. The judgments are real, and they are severe. They reveal the consequences of a world that has rejected God’s authority and chosen its own way.

This connects back to a pattern seen throughout Scripture. God is patient, but there comes a time when judgment follows continued rebellion.

Yet even here, there is an opportunity to reflect.

These events are not only about the future—they point to a deeper truth about the present. The brokenness we see in the world today—conflict, scarcity, suffering—is a reminder of what life apart from God leads to.

The question for us is not simply how we interpret these events, but how we respond.

Do we recognize God’s authority?

Do we turn toward Him in humility and obedience?

Or do we continue living as though we are in control?

Revelation 6 reminds us that history is not random. God is at work, and His purposes will be fulfilled.

The same Lamb who brings judgment is also the One who provided salvation.

The call is clear: respond to Him while there is still time.

Application:

  • Trust that God remains in control, even when the world feels unstable.
  • Recognize that judgment is part of God’s justice, not a loss of control.
  • Reflect on areas of your life where you may be resisting God’s authority.
  • Turn to God in humility rather than relying on your own understanding.
  • Remember that Yeshua is both Savior and Judge.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust in Your authority even when I do not understand what is happening in the world around me. Remind me that You are in control and that Your purposes are being fulfilled. Lead me to live in humility and obedience, recognizing both Your justice and Your mercy. 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, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional

Obedience Begins the Journey (Exodus 4:18–31)

Have you ever known what God was calling you to do—but struggled to take the first step?

Key Verse:
“So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, ‘Please let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt and see if they are still alive.’” —Exodus 4:18 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3–4:17, God calls Moses and responds to his hesitation, answering each objection and reminding him that His presence would be enough. Moses wrestled with fear, insecurity, and reluctance, yet God remained patient and firm in His calling.

Now in Exodus 4:18–31, Moses begins to move from hesitation to obedience. This passage marks the transition from being called to actually walking in that calling.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 4:18-31

 18Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 19Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” 20So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.

      21The LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23“So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

      24Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26So He let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood”—because of the circumcision.

      27Now the LORD said to Aaron, “Go to meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do. 29Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel; 30and Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. He then performed the signs in the sight of the people. 31So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.

Reflection on Exodus 4:18–31:
After all his resistance, Moses finally takes a step of obedience. He returns to Jethro, asks permission to leave, and begins the journey back toward Egypt. This moment may seem simple, but it is significant. Obedience often begins with a single step forward.

God reassures Moses along the way, reminding him that those who sought his life are no longer a threat. He also prepares Moses for what is ahead, making it clear that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened and that the path will not be easy.

Then the passage takes an unexpected and serious turn.

God confronts Moses on the journey because of an area of disobedience in his life. Though Moses had been called and had begun to obey, he had not fully aligned himself with God’s commands. This moment is sobering. It reminds us that God does not overlook disobedience simply because we are moving in the right direction in other areas.

Zipporah quickly responds, and the situation is resolved. What could have stopped Moses’ mission is addressed before he continues forward.

This shows us that obedience is not partial. God calls us to fully align our lives with Him, not just in the areas that are comfortable or visible.

After this, we see God’s provision. Aaron is sent to meet Moses, just as God had said. The burden Moses feared—speaking before others—is now shared. God provides support, not to replace obedience, but to strengthen it.

When Moses and Aaron gather the elders of Israel, they share God’s message and perform the signs. The people believe. They recognize that God has seen their suffering and has come to act.

Their response is worship.

This moment is powerful. Before the trials ahead, there is belief, hope, and a recognition that God is at work.

This passage reveals that obedience leads to movement, but that movement includes correction, provision, and moments of encouragement. Moses is not perfect, but he is now walking forward—and God works through that willingness.

Application:

  • Take the first step in obedience, even if you feel uncertain.
  • Understand that partial obedience is still disobedience.
  • Be willing to receive correction when God reveals areas that need change.
  • Trust that God will provide what you need as you follow Him.
  • Respond to God’s work in your life with worship and gratitude.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to move from hearing Your calling to walking in obedience. Give me courage to take the next step, even when I feel uncertain. Show me any areas of my life that are not fully aligned with Your will, and help me to respond with humility and repentance. Thank You for Your patience, Your correction, and Your provision. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Guide, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Stop Making Excuses (Exodus 4:1-17)

When God calls you, do you step forward in faith—or step back with excuses?

Key Verse:
“Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” —Exodus 4:12 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3, God reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush and calls him to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses responds with hesitation, questioning his identity and ability. God answers by revealing His presence and His name—“I AM.”

In Exodus 4, the conversation continues. Moses does not move forward immediately. Instead, he raises further objections, revealing deeper fear and reluctance. This passage shows how God responds when those He calls feel unqualified or unwilling.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 4:1-17

Moses Given Powers

      1Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” 2The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” 3Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4But the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5“that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

      6The LORD furthermore said to him, “Now put your hand into your bosom.” So he put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7Then He said, “Put your hand into your bosom again.” So he put his hand into his bosom again, and when he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8“If they will not believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of the last sign. 9“But if they will not believe even these two signs or heed what you say, then you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

      10Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 11The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12“Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” 13But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”

Aaron to Be Moses’ Mouthpiece

      14Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15“You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. 16“Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him. 17“You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”

Reflection on Exodus 4:1–17:
Moses’ first concern is that the people will not believe him. In response, God gives him signs—the staff that becomes a serpent, the hand that becomes leprous and is healed, and the promise of water turned to blood. God equips Moses with visible demonstrations of His power.

Yet Moses is still not convinced.

He then says, “I have never been eloquent… I am slow of speech.” Moses now shifts from questioning the outcome to questioning himself. He focuses on his personal weakness.

God’s response cuts directly to the heart: “Who has made man’s mouth?”

God reminds Moses that He is the Creator. The One who formed Moses is not limited by Moses’ perceived weaknesses. God does not deny Moses’ limitations—He declares His authority over them.

Then comes a powerful promise: “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say.”

At this point, the issue is no longer ability—it is willingness.

Moses finally reveals the true condition of his heart: “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.” In other words, “Send someone else.”

This is not insecurity—it is resistance.

Scripture tells us that the anger of the Lord burned against Moses. This is a sobering moment. God is patient with our weakness, but there comes a point where refusal to obey is no longer hesitation—it is disobedience.

Yet even in this moment, God shows grace. He appoints Aaron to speak on Moses’ behalf and provides support for the mission. God does not abandon Moses, but He does not remove the calling either.

This passage reveals a truth we must not miss: God does not call us because we are perfect. He calls us because He is sufficient.

Many people believe they cannot serve God because of their weaknesses, fears, or past mistakes. But Moses stands as a powerful example that God uses imperfect people. What God requires is not perfection, but willingness to obey.

It is not our strength that accomplishes His work—it is His power working through those who say yes.

Application:

  • Identify any excuses that may be holding you back from obeying God.

  • Remember that God is not limited by your weaknesses.

  • Focus on God’s power rather than your own ability.

  • Be willing to step forward even when you feel unprepared.

  • Respond to God’s calling with obedience rather than resistance.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to recognize when I am making excuses instead of trusting You. Remind me that You are not limited by my weaknesses, but are able to work through me by Your power. Give me a willing heart to obey Your calling, even when I feel unprepared. Strengthen my faith to trust that You will equip me for what You have called me to do. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

All Powerful / King of All, Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God

From Excuses to Calling (Exodus 3:10-22)

When God calls you, do you focus more on your limitations—or on who He is?

Key Verse:
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’” —Exodus 3:14 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3:1–10, God reveals His holiness to Moses through the burning bush and declares His intention to deliver Israel from Egypt. He then calls Moses to go to Pharaoh.

The passage that follows shifts to Moses’ response. Rather than immediate confidence, Moses begins to question his ability and readiness for the task. In response, God does not build Moses’ confidence in himself—He reveals more about who He is.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 3:10-22

The Mission of Moses

      10“Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 12And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”

      13Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. 16“Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. 17“So I said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18“They will pay heed to what you say; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt and you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19“But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. 20“So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. 21“I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. 22“But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians.”

Reflection on Exodus 3:10–22:
Moses’ first response to God’s call is a question: “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” This reveals a sense of inadequacy. Moses is no longer the confident man raised in Pharaoh’s house—he is a shepherd in the wilderness, aware of his past failure.

God’s answer is simple and powerful: “Certainly I will be with you.”

God does not argue about Moses’ abilities. He redirects the focus entirely. The success of the mission will not depend on Moses’ strength, but on God’s presence.

Moses then raises another concern: “What is His name?” He anticipates the people asking who has sent him.

God’s response is one of the most profound revelations in all of Scripture: “I AM WHO I AM.”

This name expresses God’s eternal, self-existent nature. He is not dependent on anyone or anything. He simply is. The God who calls Moses is the same God who made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the One who is unchanging and faithful.

This truth becomes the foundation of Moses’ calling. He is not being sent in his own name or authority, but in the name of the eternal God.

God then gives Moses clarity about what will happen. He tells him that the elders of Israel will listen, but Pharaoh will resist. Deliverance will not come easily, but God will act with power and bring His people out.

This reveals another important truth: God does not hide the difficulty of obedience. He prepares His servants for it.

The pattern we see is clear:

  • Moses focuses on his inadequacy

  • God points to His presence

  • Moses asks for clarity

  • God reveals His identity

  • Moses sees obstacles

  • God promises His power

This passage reminds us that our calling is not grounded in who we are, but in who God is.

Like Moses, we often focus on our weaknesses, our past, or our limitations. But God’s response is the same: I will be with you.

It is not our ability that qualifies us—it is God’s presence.

Application:

  • When you feel inadequate, remember that God’s presence is your strength.

  • Focus on who God is rather than on your own limitations.

  • Trust that God’s plans will be accomplished through His power, not yours.

  • Be willing to obey even when the path ahead looks difficult.

  • Anchor your confidence in the unchanging nature of God.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to focus on who You are rather than on my own limitations. Thank You that You are the great I AM—unchanging, faithful, and powerful. When You call me, give me the faith to trust in Your presence and not my own ability. Strengthen me to walk in obedience, knowing that You go before me. 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, Grace / Forgiveness, Merciful, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Revelation, Salvation, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

Worthy Is the Lamb (Revelation 5)

Key Verse:
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” —Revelation 5:9 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 4, John is shown the throne of God—establishing that God reigns over all. In chapter 5, the focus shifts to a scroll in God’s hand, sealed with seven seals. This scroll represents God’s plan for judgment, redemption, and the unfolding of history.

But there is a problem: no one is found worthy to open it.

This moment connects deeply to the story of deliverance in Exodus, where God redeems His people through the blood of the Passover lamb. What was foreshadowed there is now fully revealed.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 5

The Book with Seven Seals

1I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

6And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

Angels Exalt the Lamb

      11Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
13And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

14And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Reflection on Revelation 5:
John sees a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. A strong angel proclaims, “Who is worthy to open the book?” Yet no one in heaven or on earth is found worthy.

John begins to weep.

This is a powerful moment. Without someone worthy to open the scroll, God’s plan for justice, redemption, and restoration cannot move forward. Humanity cannot save itself. No angel, no leader, no created being is sufficient.

Then one of the elders speaks: “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has overcome.”

John turns, expecting to see a conquering Lion.

Instead, he sees a Lamb—standing as if slain.

This is the heart of the gospel. The victory of Yeshua did not come through worldly power, but through sacrifice. He is both Lion and Lamb—King and sacrifice, ruler and redeemer.

This imagery directly connects to Passover. In Exodus, the blood of the lamb marked the homes of God’s people so that judgment would pass over them. That lamb was a shadow of something greater.

Yeshua is the fulfillment.

He is the true Lamb whose blood does not merely protect from physical death, but redeems people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, Yeshua delivers us from slavery to sin.

Because He was slain, He alone is worthy.

He alone can open the scroll.
He alone can carry out God’s plan.
He alone can redeem what is broken.

The response in heaven is immediate and overwhelming. Worship erupts. The living creatures and elders fall before Him, singing a new song. Then countless angels join in, declaring, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”

Finally, all creation joins in worship.

Revelation 5 reminds us that history is not driven by human power or chance. It is centered on the Lamb who was slain and now reigns.

Before judgment is revealed, we are shown the One who makes redemption possible.

Application:

  • Recognize that no human effort can accomplish God’s plan of redemption.

  • Place your full trust in Yeshua, the Lamb who was slain.

  • Reflect on the depth of His sacrifice and what it means for your life.

  • Worship Christ not only as Savior, but as King who is worthy of all honor.

  • Live in gratitude for the deliverance God has provided through Him.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Yeshua, the Lamb who was slain, to redeem us. Help me understand the depth of His sacrifice and respond with worship and obedience. Strengthen my faith to trust fully in Him as the only One who is worthy. May my life reflect gratitude, reverence, and devotion to the King of kings. 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.

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Patience, Help / Serve Others, Humility, Seeking God, Teachable, Tribulation, Wise, Worry/Anxiety

Learning Through Failure (Exodus 2:11-25)

Have you ever taken a step you thought was right—only to see it end in failure and hardship?

Key Verse:
“When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian…” —Exodus 2:15 NASB

Background Context:
After the remarkable rescue of Moses as an infant, the story jumps forward many years in Exodus. Moses has grown up in Pharaoh’s household, educated and raised with privilege. Yet he knows he is Hebrew and sees the harsh oppression his people endure.

One day Moses witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and intervenes. What follows changes the course of his life and begins a long season of preparation far from Egypt.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 2:11-25

  11Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

Moses Escapes to Midian

      15When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.

      16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock. 18When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?” 19So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.” 20He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.” 21Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses. 22Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

23Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. 24So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

Reflection on Exodus 2:11–25:
Moses likely believed he was ready to help deliver his people. Seeing injustice, he stepped in and killed the Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Though Moses intended to defend the oppressed, his action was driven by anger and done outside of God’s timing.

When the event became known, Pharaoh sought to kill him, and Moses fled into the wilderness of Midian.

At first glance this may appear to be the end of Moses’ calling. The man raised in a palace now becomes a fugitive shepherd in a foreign land. Yet something important about Moses’ character becomes clear during this time.

Failure did not cause Moses to abandon his desire to help others.

When he arrives in Midian, Moses again encounters injustice. Shepherds attempt to drive away the daughters of Reuel as they come to water their flocks. This time Moses intervenes wisely, protecting them and helping water the animals. His willingness to help others opens the door for him to remain in Midian, eventually marrying Zipporah and beginning a family.

We are all capable of making mistakes when we attempt to act in faith or confront wrongdoing. The greater mistake is allowing those failures to discourage us from continuing to serve God. Moses learned from his experience and continued to stand up for what was right.

During these years in Midian, Moses’ life changed dramatically. The man raised in power now lived quietly as a shepherd. What may have felt like exile was actually preparation. God was shaping humility, patience, and dependence in the one who would one day lead a nation.

Meanwhile, Israel remained in Egypt under heavy oppression. The people groaned under their suffering and cried out to God. Scripture tells us that God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This does not mean God had forgotten His promise. Rather, it emphasizes that the cries of His people matter to Him. He sees their suffering and responds according to His perfect timing.

Often in our own lives we may feel that God is distant when we face hardship. We may look to human solutions first and feel discouraged when they fail. Yet Scripture reminds us that God desires His people to cry out to Him. He hears the prayers of those who seek Him and trust in His ways.

While Israel cried out in Egypt and Moses lived quietly in Midian, God was preparing both the deliverer and the moment of deliverance.

What seemed like delay was actually divine preparation.

Application:

  • Do not allow past mistakes to stop you from continuing to serve God.

  • Learn from failure and grow in wisdom and humility.

  • Continue helping others and standing against injustice.

  • Cry out to God in seasons of hardship rather than relying only on human solutions.

  • Trust that God may be preparing you during seasons that feel quiet or difficult.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You even when my plans fall apart. Teach me to learn from my mistakes rather than be discouraged by them. Strengthen my desire to stand for what is right and to help others in need. When I face hardship, remind me to cry out to You and rely on Your wisdom and timing. Prepare my heart to serve You faithfully wherever You place me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Hope, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation, Worry/Anxiety

God Protects What He Has Purposed (Exodus 2:1–10)

When God begins preparing something great, it often starts quietly where few people notice.

Key Verse:
“When she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.” —Exodus 2:3 NASB

Background Context:
Exodus opens with Israel under severe oppression. Pharaoh has ordered that every Hebrew baby boy be thrown into the Nile in an attempt to crush the growing nation.

In the midst of this brutal command, a child is born to a Levite family. His mother hides him as long as she can. When hiding him is no longer possible, she places him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile — entrusting his life to God.

What appears to be a desperate act becomes the beginning of God’s plan to raise up the future deliverer of Israel.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 1:22-2:1-10

 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.”

The Birth of Moses

      1Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. 2The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. 3But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. 4His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

      5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. 6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” 8Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Reflection on Exodus 2:1–10:
God’s greatest works often begin in the most fragile moments.

A helpless infant floating in a basket does not look like the beginning of national deliverance. Yet in this small and vulnerable scene, God is already moving.

The faith of Moses’ mother stands out immediately. She refuses to surrender her child to Pharaoh’s command. Instead, she acts courageously and entrusts her son to God’s care. Hebrews later tells us she acted by faith.

The basket itself is striking. The Hebrew word used here is the same word used for Noah’s ark — a vessel of rescue through water. Just as God preserved life during the flood, He now preserves the life of the one who will later lead His people through the waters of the Red Sea.

Then comes one of the most remarkable ironies in Scripture: Pharaoh’s own daughter finds the child. The ruler who ordered Hebrew boys to die unknowingly funds the upbringing of the very man who will one day challenge his throne.

Even more beautifully, Moses’ own mother is hired to nurse him. God not only protects the child — He restores him to his family during his earliest years.

This moment reminds us of something deeply encouraging: God’s purposes cannot be stopped by human power. Pharaoh believed he was controlling the future, yet God was quietly raising up the very person who would undo Pharaoh’s plans.

Often, God’s preparation happens long before we see the outcome. The deliverer of Israel begins life hidden among reeds.

The same is often true in our lives. Seasons that seem small, uncertain, or hidden may be the very places where God is shaping something significant. We may not see His plan yet, but that does not mean He is absent.

God is always at work — even in the quiet beginnings.

Application:

  • Trust God with what feels fragile or uncertain in your life.

  • Act in faith even when outcomes are unclear.

  • Remember that God’s plans cannot be stopped by human authority.

  • Do not underestimate seasons of hidden preparation.

  • Look for God’s hand even in ordinary circumstances.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me trust You in seasons when Your work seems hidden. Give me courage to act in faith even when the future is uncertain. Remind me that Your purposes cannot be stopped by human power and that You are always at work, even in quiet beginnings. Prepare my heart to be used for Your purposes. 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, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, Revenge

God Meant It for Good (Genesis 50:15–26)

When others intend harm, do you see only the wound — or the hand of God at work?

Key Verse:
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” —Genesis 50:20 NASB

Background Context:
After Jacob’s burial, Joseph’s brothers fear retaliation. For years they have lived under his protection, but now that their father is gone, they worry Joseph may finally repay them for their betrayal. Their fear reveals lingering guilt.

What follows is one of the clearest statements in Scripture about God’s sovereignty over human evil.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 50:15–26

  15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 17‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21“So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Death of Joseph

      22Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. 23Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. 24Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” 25Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” 26So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Reflection on Genesis 50:15–26:
The brothers assume Joseph’s kindness may have been temporary — restrained only by Jacob’s presence. Their conscience reminds them of their past sin. They send a message pleading for forgiveness.

Joseph’s response is remarkable. He weeps. There is no anger, no calculation, no delayed revenge. Instead, he speaks words that echo through Scripture: “Am I in God’s place?”

Joseph refuses to assume the role of judge. He recognizes that vengeance belongs to God. Then he gives the theological center of Genesis: what they intended for evil, God intended for good.

This does not deny the evil. It does not excuse the betrayal. But it acknowledges a greater sovereignty. Human intent does not override divine purpose. God weaves even sinful actions into His redemptive plan.

Joseph promises provision and protection for his brothers and their families. Forgiveness is not merely spoken — it is lived.

The chapter closes with Joseph’s own approaching death. Like his father, he speaks in faith about the future. He declares that God will surely visit His people and bring them up from Egypt. He asks that his bones be carried to the promised land.

Genesis ends not with arrival, but with anticipation. Joseph dies in Egypt — but his hope rests in Canaan. The coffin remains in Egypt as a reminder: this is not the final home.

Genesis begins with creation and ends with a coffin. Yet it also ends with hope. God’s covenant continues. His purposes move forward beyond one generation.

Joseph teaches us to forgive without revenge, trust God’s sovereignty in suffering, and live with faith that looks beyond our lifetime.

Application:

  • Release vengeance; trust God to judge justly.

  • Recognize that God can redeem even painful seasons.

  • Forgive not only with words, but with tangible kindness.

  • Refuse to let past wounds dictate present obedience.

  • Live with long-term faith — God’s promises outlast one generation.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me trust Your sovereignty even when I cannot see the full picture. Give me grace to forgive as Joseph forgave and to release judgment into Your hands. Teach me to live with hope anchored in Your promises, confident that You are working good beyond what I can understand. 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.

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, Hope, Purposeful / Intentional

Grief That Reflects Faith (Genesis 50:1–14)

How do you grieve in a way that reflects trust in God’s promises?

Key Verse:
“Then his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah…” —Genesis 50:13 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 50 opens with the death of Jacob. Having given his final instructions and declared his faith in God’s covenant promises, Jacob breathes his last. What follows is not hurried or detached. Joseph mourns deeply, and Egypt itself participates in honoring Jacob.

This chapter completes Jacob’s earthly journey and affirms the covenant hope that defined his final words.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 50:1-14

The Death of Israel

      1Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him and kissed him. 2Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

      4When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying, 5‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am about to die; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’” 6Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.”

      7So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father’s household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen. 9There also went up with him both chariots and horsemen; and it was a very great company. 10When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he observed seven days mourning for his father. 11Now when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning for the Egyptians.” Therefore it was named Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

Burial at Machpelah

      12Thus his sons did for him as he had charged them; 13for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field for a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. 14After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

Reflection on Genesis 50:1–14:
Joseph’s grief is immediate and unrestrained. He falls on his father and weeps. Scripture does not portray mourning as weakness or lack of faith. Even a man who trusts God deeply still feels loss profoundly.

The mourning extends beyond Joseph. The Egyptians observe seventy days of grief — an extraordinary display of honor. Jacob, though not Egyptian, is treated with respect because of Joseph’s position. Yet the burial itself does not take place in Egypt.

Joseph carefully fulfills his father’s request. Permission is sought from Pharaoh, and a great procession returns to Canaan. The journey is deliberate, public, and reverent. Jacob is buried exactly where he asked — in the cave of Machpelah, alongside Abraham and Isaac.

This burial is more than family tradition. It is covenant alignment. Though Jacob lived his final years in Egypt, he chose to be buried in the land of promise. His death does not erase the covenant — it confirms his confidence in it.

Grief and faith coexist in this passage. Tears flow freely, yet hope remains anchored. Jacob is buried in Canaan because the story is not finished. God’s promises are still unfolding.

Genesis 50 reminds us that faithful living includes faithful grieving. We honor those who have gone before us, but we do so with hope rooted in God’s promises.

Application:

  • Allow yourself to grieve honestly while still trusting God’s faithfulness.

  • Honor the legacy of faith left by those before you.

  • Anchor hope in God’s promises even in seasons of loss.

  • Remember that death does not cancel covenant.

  • Live and finish with your identity rooted in God’s promise, not present location.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the hope that sustains us even in grief. Teach me to mourn with trust and to honor the faith of those who have gone before me. Help me anchor my life in Your promises and walk forward with confidence that Your purposes continue beyond what I can see. 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.

Doubt / Lacking Faith, Faith / Trusting God, Jesus (hearing from God), Purposeful / Intentional, Repenting from Sin, Revelation, Seeking God, Through Prophets, Visions

Lukewarm Faith (Revelation 3:14–22)

If Yeshua is the faithful and true witness, what does your life testify about your devotion to Him?

Key Verse:
“These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” —Revelation 3:14 NASB

Background Context:
Laodicea was wealthy, self-sufficient, and proud of its prosperity. It lacked nothing materially — yet spiritually it was in grave danger. Before confronting their condition, Yeshua identifies Himself carefully.

He calls Himself “the Amen” — the One who confirms and fulfills truth. He is “the faithful and true Witness” — perfectly reflecting the Father. And He is “the Beginning of the creation of God” — not the first created being, but the origin, ruler, and source of creation itself. He is co-eternal with the Father, one with Him, and the Spirit testifies likewise. The One speaking to Laodicea is no mere teacher — He is the eternal Son.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 3:14-22

Message to Laodicea

      14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

      15‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Reflection on Revelation 3:14–22:
Yeshua begins by reminding the church who He is before exposing who they are. As the faithful and true witness, He is our example above all others. His life displayed perfect obedience, devotion, and alignment with the Father. If we are to follow anyone, it is Him.

His authority makes the rebuke weighty. Laodicea is lukewarm — neither hot nor cold. They are spiritually indifferent. Their self-evaluation is dangerously inflated: “I am rich… and have need of nothing.” But Yeshua, who sees truly, calls them poor, blind, and naked.

Material success had masked spiritual poverty.

Lukewarm faith is particularly offensive because it reflects divided allegiance. It is not outright rebellion, but it is not wholehearted devotion either. Comfort has replaced dependence. Self-sufficiency has dulled zeal.

Yet even here, grace is extended. Yeshua counsels them to receive what only He can give — refined gold (true spiritual wealth), white garments (righteousness), and eye salve (clear spiritual vision). He disciplines those He loves. His correction is not rejection — it is invitation.

“Be zealous and repent.” Repentance is still the path forward. And then comes the tender image: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” This is spoken to the church. Even after rebuke, fellowship is offered.

He promises the overcomer a place with Him on His throne. The eternal Son, co-ruler with the Father, invites faithful believers to share in His reign. The contrast is stunning — from lukewarm complacency to shared glory.

Laodicea reminds us that knowing true doctrine about Christ must result in true devotion to Christ. He is the faithful and true witness. We are called to reflect Him faithfully in return.

Application:

  • Let Yeshua’s faithfulness shape your own devotion.

  • Guard against self-sufficiency that dulls spiritual hunger.

  • Measure your life honestly through Christ’s evaluation, not your own.

  • Respond to correction quickly — repentance restores intimacy.

  • Pursue wholehearted zeal rather than comfortable indifference.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Yeshua, faithful and true Witness, guard me from lukewarm faith. Help me follow You wholeheartedly and reflect Your devotion in my life. Expose self-reliance in my heart and renew my zeal for You. When You knock, may I open the door quickly and welcome Your presence. In Your holy 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.