Category Archives: Praise / Worship / Glorify God

Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Praise / Worship / Glorify God

Blessed to Make Him Known (Psalm 67)

When you ask God to bless you, do you also consider how His blessings can help others know Him?

Key Verse:

“God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us—Selah. That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.” — Psalm 67:1–2 (NASB)

Background Context:

Psalm 67 is a short song with a remarkably broad vision. It begins with a prayer for God’s grace and blessing that closely resembles the priestly blessing YHWH gave Aaron in Numbers 6:24–26: “The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you.”

But the psalmist immediately explains why he desires God’s blessing: “That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.” God’s blessing upon His people was never intended to terminate with them. From His promise to Abraham onward, God intended to bless His people and work through them so that the nations would come to know Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 67

The Nations Exhorted to Praise God.

For the choir director; with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

1God be gracious to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us—

Selah.

      2That Your way may be known on the earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

      3Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.

      4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;
For You will judge the peoples with uprightness
And guide the nations on the earth.

Selah.

      5Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.

      6The earth has yielded its produce;
God, our God, blesses us.

      7God blesses us,
That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.

Reflection on Psalm 67:

It is natural to ask God for His blessing. We pray for provision, protection, health, wisdom, strong families, meaningful work, and many other good things. Scripture gives us every reason to recognize YHWH as the source of what is good and to bring our needs before Him. Psalm 67 begins by doing exactly that: “God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.”

But the next word changes the perspective: “That.”

The psalmist desires God’s blessing for a purpose: “That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.” He does not simply pray, Bless us so that our lives will be easier. He wants God’s goodness toward His people to become a testimony through which others come to know the God who blessed them.

This reaches back to God’s covenant with Abraham. YHWH promised, “I will bless you… and so you shall be a blessing” and declared that “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:2–3). God’s plan was never narrowly focused on one people while ignoring everyone else. He chose Israel for His purposes and called them to be set apart for Him, while His plan ultimately extended outward toward the nations.

Psalm 67 makes that outward focus unmistakable. “Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.” Then again, “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.” The psalmist longs for people everywhere to recognize YHWH, rejoice in Him, and submit themselves to His righteous rule.

This is important when thinking about Israel’s calling. Being chosen by God was not merely a privilege to enjoy; it carried a responsibility to represent Him faithfully. God’s people were to live differently from the nations around them, following His commandments and demonstrating the wisdom and righteousness of His ways. Their distinctiveness was not intended to make them proud but to point others toward the God they served.

We see this explicitly in Deuteronomy 4. Moses told Israel to keep God’s statutes and judgments because the surrounding peoples would see their wisdom and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Their obedience itself was meant to testify about YHWH.

That same principle should challenge us today. God’s blessings can easily become inward-focused. We can measure His goodness primarily by what He provides for us—our comfort, possessions, opportunities, relationships, or security. But Psalm 67 encourages us to ask a larger question: How can what God has entrusted to me help make Him known?

Perhaps He has provided financial resources that can be used generously. Perhaps He has given knowledge that can be used to teach others. Perhaps He has carried us through a difficult trial, giving us a testimony that can encourage someone else. Perhaps He has given us a home in which we can practice hospitality, influence in a workplace where we can demonstrate integrity, or relationships in which we can speak truth about Yeshua.

The blessing itself may differ, but the principle remains: what God gives us can become something through which others encounter Him.

The psalm then celebrates God’s righteous rule: “For You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.” The nations are invited to rejoice not merely because God gives good things, but because He is a good King. His judgments are upright. His leadership is righteous. The ultimate blessing is not simply receiving something from God—it is knowing God and living under His rule.

Finally, the psalmist looks at the earth itself: “The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.” Once again, material provision leads directly toward a spiritual purpose. The psalm concludes, “God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him.”

That brings us back exactly where we started.

God blesses.

His people recognize His goodness.

His people make Him known.

And others are invited to fear, worship, and rejoice in Him.

Psalm 67 therefore challenges us not to stop asking God for His blessing, but to expand our understanding of why we desire it. Instead of merely praying, Father, bless me, we can also pray:

Father, bless me in whatever way pleases You—and use what You give me so that others may come to know You.

Application:

  • Thank YHWH for specific ways He has blessed and provided for you.
  • Consider how your resources, abilities, experiences, relationships, and opportunities could help others know Him.
  • Resist treating God’s blessings as possessions intended only for your own comfort.
  • Remember that being set apart for God carries both privilege and responsibility.
  • Let faithful obedience become part of your testimony, demonstrating the goodness and wisdom of God’s ways.
  • Pray not only for your own community but that people among all nations would come to know YHWH and His salvation through Yeshua.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your grace and for the many ways You have blessed and provided for me. Help me not to receive Your blessings selfishly or take them for granted. Show me how You want to use what You have entrusted to me so that others may come to know You. Let my obedience, generosity, words, relationships, and priorities point people toward Your goodness and truth. May Your way be known throughout the earth and Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, and may all the ends of the earth fear and honor Your name. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

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

Faith / Trusting God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms

Come and Hear What God Has Done (Psalm 66)

When you look back over your life, can you recognize the ways God has been faithful—even through seasons you would never have chosen for yourself?

Key Verse:

“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.” — Psalm 66:16 (NASB)

Background Context:

Psalm 66 is a joyful call to praise God for His mighty works. The psalmist begins by inviting all the earth to worship, then looks backward to God’s historical deliverance of His people through the sea. From there, the focus becomes more personal as he reflects on seasons of testing, God’s faithful deliverance, and finally what the Lord has done in his own life.

There is a beautiful movement throughout the psalm. First we are invited to “come and see the works of God.” Later we are invited to “come and hear” what He has done personally. Remembering God’s faithfulness in Scripture gives us confidence during our own trials, and experiencing His faithfulness gives us a testimony worth sharing with others.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 66

Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds and for His Answer to Prayer.

For the choir director. A Song. A Psalm.

1Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;

      2Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.

      3Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.

      4“All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.”

Selah.

      5Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.

      6He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!

      7He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

Selah.

      8Bless our God, O peoples,
And sound His praise abroad,

      9Who keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.

      10For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.

      11You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

      12You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

      13I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,

      14Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

      15I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,
With the smoke of rams;
I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats.

Selah.

      16Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

      17I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.

      18If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;

      19But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

      20Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.

Reflection on Psalm 66:

Psalm 66 begins with exuberant praise: “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name.” The psalmist’s vision extends far beyond Israel. He calls the whole earth to recognize the greatness of God and bow before Him. Our God is not merely a local or personal deity. He is the sovereign Lord over all creation, and ultimately all the earth will acknowledge His greatness.

The psalmist then invites us to look backward: “Come and see the works of God.” He remembers how God turned the sea into dry land, clearly pointing back to His miraculous deliverance of His people. Remembering what God has already done is an important part of strengthening our faith. When present circumstances make us uncertain about what God is doing, Scripture reminds us of what He has done before. The God who delivered His people then remains the same God we trust today.

But remembering God’s faithfulness does not mean pretending that His people never experience hardship. The tone changes significantly in verse 10: “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” The psalmist describes being brought into a net, carrying heavy burdens, and passing “through fire and through water.” These were not comfortable experiences, yet looking backward he could recognize that God had been at work even in the difficulty.

The image of refining silver is especially helpful. Refining involves intense heat, but the purpose of the heat is not destruction. It removes impurities and produces something purer. In the same way, God can use difficult seasons to expose what is in our hearts, deepen our dependence upon Him, strengthen our faith, and shape our character. We should be careful not to assume that every hardship is God’s direct punishment or that we will always understand why He permits a particular trial. But Scripture repeatedly teaches that God can work through suffering to refine His people.

Importantly, the fire is not where the psalmist’s story ends. He declares, “We went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” God had not abandoned His people in their testing. He brought them through it. What may have felt overwhelming while they were experiencing it became another testimony to God’s faithfulness when they looked back.

The psalmist responds by worshiping God and fulfilling the commitments he made during his distress. Then the focus becomes deeply personal: “Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.” Earlier he said, Come and see what God has done. Now he says, Come and hear what God has done for me. God’s mighty works recorded in Scripture have become joined with the psalmist’s own experience of God’s faithfulness.

That is an important part of our witness as well. We should certainly tell people what Scripture says about God, but we can also tell them how His truth has intersected with our own lives. We can share how He has answered prayer, carried us through hardship, corrected us, provided for us, forgiven us, or strengthened our faith. Our personal testimony does not replace Scripture, but it can point others toward the God revealed in Scripture.

The psalmist adds an important warning about prayer: “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” He is not claiming that God only listens to sinless people. If that were true, none of us could pray. Rather, he recognizes the contradiction of deliberately holding onto sin while expecting intimate fellowship with a holy God. Genuine relationship with God includes repentance and a willingness to submit our lives to Him.

The psalm concludes with gratitude: “Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.” After remembering national deliverance, personal refining, and answered prayer, the psalmist arrives at the same destination: praise.

Psalm 66 invites us to do the same. Remember what God has done. Trust Him while He is refining you. And when you have experienced His faithfulness, tell someone else about it. The trials we would never choose for ourselves may eventually become part of the testimony through which we encourage someone else to trust Him.

Application:

  • Spend time remembering specific examples of God’s faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your own life.
  • When you are going through difficulty, ask God how He may be using the season to refine your faith and character.
  • Do not assume that hardship means God has abandoned you; remember that He can bring His people through fire and water.
  • Examine your heart for sin you are knowingly holding onto, and respond to God’s conviction with repentance.
  • Share with someone what God has done in your life, allowing your testimony to point them toward Him.
  • Praise God not only for removing difficulties, but also for His faithfulness while carrying you through them.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for the many ways You have demonstrated Your faithfulness throughout Scripture and throughout my own life. When I pass through seasons of testing, help me to trust that You have not abandoned me. Use even difficult circumstances to refine my faith, remove what does not please You, and draw me closer to You. Help me remember what You have done so that I will trust You with what I am facing today. Give me opportunities and courage to tell others about Your goodness and faithfulness. Thank You for hearing my prayers and for never removing Your lovingkindness from 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.

Justice / Judgment, Praise / Worship / Glorify God

His Judgments Are True and Righteous (Revelation 19:1–6)

Can we praise God for His justice with the same confidence that we praise Him for His mercy?

Key Verse:

“After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous.'” — Revelation 19:1–2a (NASB)

Background Context:

Revelation 18 ended with the complete fall of Babylon, the corrupt world system that had deceived the nations, pursued wealth and power, and shed the blood of God’s people. While the kings and merchants of the earth mourned Babylon’s destruction, heaven was commanded to rejoice because God had finally judged her wickedness.

Revelation 19 opens with heaven responding to that call. A great multitude erupts in praise, repeatedly crying, “Hallelujah!” Their worship reminds us of an important truth that can sometimes make us uncomfortable: God’s righteousness is displayed not only through His mercy and salvation, but also through His judgment of persistent evil.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 19:1-6

The Fourfold Hallelujah

      1After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; 2BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.” 3And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.” 4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5And a voice came from the throne, saying,
“Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” 6Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying,
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Reflection on Revelation 19:1–6:

The first sound John hears after Babylon’s destruction is worship. A great multitude in heaven declares, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” Their praise is directly connected to what has just happened: “His judgments are true and righteous.” Heaven does not apologize for God’s judgment or treat it as somehow inconsistent with His goodness. His justice is worthy of praise because everything God does is consistent with His perfect character.

We are often more comfortable praising God for mercy than for judgment. We rightly celebrate His patience, forgiveness, compassion, and grace. Yet Scripture never presents mercy and justice as competing aspects of God’s character. The same God who lovingly calls sinners to repentance also judges persistent rebellion. If God permanently ignored evil, oppression, deception, persecution, and injustice, He would not be righteous. His judgment demonstrates that evil will not be allowed to continue forever.

This distinction is important because rejoicing in God’s justice is not the same as taking pleasure in human suffering. Scripture tells us that God Himself takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked” but desires that the wicked turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11). Throughout Revelation, God has repeatedly warned, called people to repentance, and demonstrated His power. Yet many continue in rebellion. When judgment finally comes, heaven rejoices not because suffering is enjoyable, but because evil has been defeated and God’s righteousness has prevailed.

The multitude also praises God because He has “avenged the blood of His bond-servants.” This reaches back to Revelation 6, where the martyrs beneath the altar cried, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood?” For many chapters the answer appeared delayed. God’s people suffered while those who opposed Him seemed to prosper. Now the answer has come. God had not forgotten a single one of His faithful servants.

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures respond by falling down before God and saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” Then another voice calls all God’s servants—“you who fear Him, the small and the great”—to praise Him. Worship is not reserved for those who appear important by worldly standards. All who belong to God are invited to join in recognizing His sovereignty, righteousness, and victory.

John then hears something like the roar of a great multitude, rushing waters, and mighty thunder declaring, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” This is the great truth behind their celebration. Babylon has fallen, but God’s kingdom has not. The beast may exercise authority for a time, nations may rebel, and God’s people may suffer, but none of these things threaten His ultimate sovereignty. The Lord God Almighty reigns.

That truth should shape how we view the world around us today. We may see injustice that appears unanswered, wickedness that seems rewarded, or people who suffer because they remain faithful to God. Revelation reminds us not to judge the final outcome by the middle of the story. God’s patience is not weakness, and His delayed judgment is not indifference. There will come a time when everything hidden is exposed and every judgment He renders will be shown to be true and righteous.

For followers of Yeshua, this should produce both confidence and humility. We can trust that God will ultimately deal rightly with every injustice, freeing us from the burden of personal vengeance. At the same time, recognizing the certainty of judgment should strengthen our desire to share the good news of salvation and call others to repentance while there is still opportunity. The righteous Judge is also the God who has graciously provided salvation through the Lamb.

Revelation 19 therefore begins not with fear but with praise. After everything John has witnessed—the dragon’s attacks, the beast’s persecution, Babylon’s corruption, and the suffering of God’s people—he hears heaven proclaim the truth that has never changed:

Salvation belongs to God. His judgments are true and righteous. The Lord God Almighty reigns.

Application:

  • Praise God for His righteousness and justice as well as for His mercy and grace.
  • Trust God with injustices you cannot correct yourself rather than allowing anger or bitterness to consume you.
  • Remember that delayed judgment does not mean God has overlooked evil or forgotten those who have suffered.
  • Let the certainty of God’s judgment increase your urgency to share the hope of salvation through Yeshua.
  • When circumstances make evil appear victorious, remind yourself that the Lord God Almighty still reigns.

Closing Prayer:

Father, You are holy, righteous, merciful, and just. Help me to trust Your judgment even when I do not understand Your timing. Keep me from taking pleasure in the suffering of others, but teach me to rejoice that evil will not prevail forever and that Your justice will ultimately be established. Thank You for Your patience and for providing salvation through Yeshua. Give me compassion for those who still need to repent and confidence when injustice seems to prosper. May I always remember that You are Almighty, Your judgments are true and righteous, and You reign forever. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Thankfulness

The God Who Provides Abundantly (Psalm 65)

Do you recognize God’s hand not only in extraordinary answers to prayer, but also in the ordinary blessings that surround you every day?

Key Verse:

“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; the stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.” — Psalm 65:9 (NASB)

Background Context:

Psalm 65 is a song of praise from David celebrating the goodness and provision of God. David moves from God’s mercy toward sinners, to His awesome power over creation, and finally to a beautiful picture of the Lord watering the earth and producing an abundant harvest.

The psalm reminds us that God’s provision surrounds us constantly. Rain, crops, pastures, livestock, and the rhythms of creation can easily become ordinary in our eyes, but David sees them differently. He sees the generous hand of God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 65

God’s Abundant Favor to Earth and Man.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. A Song.

     1There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God,
And to You the vow will be performed.

      2O You who hear prayer,
To You all men come.

      3Iniquities prevail against me;
As for our transgressions, You forgive them.

      4How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.

      5By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,
You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;

      6Who establishes the mountains by His strength,
Being girded with might;

      7Who stills the roaring of the seas,
The roaring of their waves,
And the tumult of the peoples.

      8They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs;
You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.

      9You visit the earth and cause it to overflow;
You greatly enrich it;
The stream of God is full of water;
You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.

      10You water its furrows abundantly,
You settle its ridges,
You soften it with showers,
You bless its growth.

      11You have crowned the year with Your bounty,
And Your paths drip with fatness.

      12The pastures of the wilderness drip,
And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.

      13The meadows are clothed with flocks
And the valleys are covered with grain;
They shout for joy, yes, they sing.

Reflection on Psalm 65:

David begins his praise in a somewhat unexpected place—not with the abundance of the harvest, but with our need for forgiveness. “Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You forgive them.” Before celebrating what God provides for the earth, David celebrates what God provides for the sinner. He recognizes that sin is greater than something he can overcome by his own strength. Yet God provides atonement and makes it possible for His people to draw near.

That makes David’s next statement even more meaningful: “How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts.” The greatest blessing in Psalm 65 is not rain, grain, livestock, or prosperity. It is being brought near to God. His material provision is wonderful, but fellowship with Him is the greater treasure. For followers of Yeshua, this truth becomes even clearer. Through Messiah’s sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we are invited to draw near to God.

David then turns his attention outward. The God who forgives sins is also the God “who establishes the mountains by His strength” and “who stills the roaring of the seas.” God’s authority extends from the individual heart to the ends of the earth. Nothing in creation exists independently of Him. The mountains, oceans, sunrise, and sunset all testify to the power and majesty of their Creator.

Then the psalm slows down and looks at something much more ordinary: rain falling on the ground. David sees God’s involvement everywhere. God waters the earth, softens its furrows, blesses its growth, and prepares grain for His creatures. What we might simply call weather, agriculture, or the natural cycle of the seasons, David recognizes as the faithful provision of God working through His creation.

That perspective is worth recovering. We often look for God’s hand primarily in miracles or dramatic answers to prayer. Certainly we should praise Him for those things, but Psalm 65 teaches us to recognize His goodness in what happens every day. Food on our tables, rain on the ground, the changing seasons, the ability of soil to produce food, and countless other ordinary blessings ultimately depend upon systems God created and continues to sustain. What appears ordinary is still God’s provision.

David describes this generosity with wonderful imagery: “You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.” The wilderness pastures flourish, the hills are clothed with gladness, the meadows are covered with flocks, and the valleys are filled with grain. David pictures creation itself shouting and singing for joy. Everywhere he looks, he sees evidence of God’s generosity.

Yet Psalm 65 also keeps these blessings in their proper place. David does not worship creation; creation directs his worship toward the Creator. The harvest is not merely something to enjoy but a reason to give thanks. God’s gifts should continually turn our hearts back toward the Giver. The more clearly we recognize His provision, the more naturally gratitude and praise should characterize our lives.

Psalm 65 therefore invites us to open our eyes. The God who forgives our sins, draws us near, rules over creation, and provides the harvest is still at work. His blessings are so familiar that we can easily stop noticing them. But when we begin recognizing His hand in both the extraordinary and the ordinary, everyday life becomes filled with reasons to worship.

Application:

  • Thank God first for the greatest provision of all—forgiveness and the opportunity to draw near to Him.
  • Look intentionally for God’s provision in ordinary things you normally take for granted.
  • Remember that creation and its abundance point beyond themselves to the Creator.
  • Cultivate gratitude rather than allowing God’s repeated blessings to become invisible through familiarity.
  • Let the gifts God provides turn your attention toward the Giver rather than becoming the focus themselves.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your abundant provision. Above all, thank You for providing forgiveness and making a way for me to draw near to You through Yeshua. Open my eyes to recognize Your hand in the ordinary blessings I so easily take for granted. Thank You for the beauty of creation, the food You provide, and the countless ways You sustain life each day. Keep me from enjoying Your gifts while forgetting the Giver. May Your goodness continually lead my heart toward gratitude, praise, and deeper fellowship with 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.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Praise / Worship / Glorify God

Worship on God’s Terms (Exodus 20:22–26)

Do you approach worship by asking what pleases you, or by seeking what God says pleases Him?

Key Verse:

“You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.” — Exodus 20:24 (NASB)

Background Context:

After the people witnessed the thunder, lightning, trumpet blast, and smoke surrounding Mount Sinai, God continued speaking through Moses. He had just demonstrated that He was holy and unlike anything Israel had encountered among the gods of Egypt. Now He began teaching His people how they were to approach Him in worship.

His instructions were strikingly simple. They were not to make gods of silver or gold, and their altar was to be made from earth or uncut stones. Israel was not to imitate the elaborate religious practices of the nations around them. The God who had redeemed them would determine how His people approached Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 20:22–26

 22Then the LORD said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23‘You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24‘You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25‘If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26‘And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’

Reflection on Exodus 20:22–26:

God begins by reminding Israel of something they had just experienced firsthand: “You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.” Their God was not an object fashioned by human hands. He had revealed Himself, spoken His own words, and demonstrated His power before them. Therefore, they were not to make gods of silver or gold alongside Him. The living God would not share His worship with something His people had created.

This reinforces what God had already taught in the second commandment. Israel was surrounded by nations that represented their gods through physical objects and approached them according to human traditions. God called His people to be set apart. They were not to borrow the world’s methods and simply attach His name to them. The One they worshiped was different from the gods of the nations, and their worship was to reflect that difference.

God’s instructions concerning the altar are equally revealing. An altar of earth hardly sounds impressive. Even if they used stone, they were commanded not to shape those stones with their tools. The altar was not intended to showcase human craftsmanship or draw attention to the person who built it. The focus of worship was to remain on God. Human achievement was not to compete for His glory.

There is an important principle here for us as well. We can easily become impressed with buildings, programs, music, personalities, traditions, or elaborate presentations. None of those things is necessarily wrong, but they must never become the focus of worship. Worship is not ultimately about what impresses us. It is about honoring the Lord according to what He has revealed in His Word. God determines what is holy and what pleases Him.

The final instruction concerning the altar steps reinforces this emphasis on holiness. God commanded that His people not expose themselves while ascending the altar. Even details that might seem insignificant to us mattered because they were approaching a holy God. Worship was not casual entertainment. The Lord desired His people to approach Him with reverence, purity, and respect.

Yet God’s instructions are not merely a list of restrictions. In the middle of the passage is a beautiful promise: “I will come to you and bless you.” The holy God desires fellowship with His people. He establishes the way they are to approach Him not because He wants to keep them distant, but because sinful humanity cannot determine for itself how to enter the presence of a holy God. God graciously provides the way.

That truth ultimately points us toward Yeshua. Under the covenant at Sinai, God provided sacrifices through which His people could approach Him. Those sacrifices anticipated the greater and final sacrifice of Messiah. Hebrews teaches that Yeshua offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10), accomplishing what animal sacrifices could never permanently accomplish. We still do not approach God on our own terms; we approach Him through the way He Himself has provided—through Yeshua.

Exodus 20 therefore ends where it began: with God taking the initiative. He rescued Israel before giving them His commandments, revealed how His redeemed people should live, and then provided instructions for how they could approach Him. From beginning to end, the relationship rests upon God’s grace. Our response is to trust Him enough to worship and obey Him according to His Word rather than according to our own preferences.

Application:

  • Examine whether your worship is shaped primarily by Scripture or by personal preference and cultural expectations.
  • Keep God Himself at the center rather than allowing methods, traditions, personalities, or experiences to become the focus.
  • Approach the Lord with both confidence and reverence, remembering His holiness.
  • Thank God that He has not left us to invent our own way into His presence.
  • Rejoice that through Yeshua, God has provided the way for us to draw near to Him.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for revealing Yourself and showing me how You desire to be worshiped. Keep me from replacing Your instruction with my own preferences or allowing anything to take the attention that belongs to You alone. Teach me to approach You with humility, reverence, and gratitude. Most of all, thank You for providing the way for me to draw near through Yeshua and His finished sacrifice. May my worship honor You as You truly are rather than as I might prefer You to be. 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.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Idols / False Gods, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Worship God as He Is (Exodus 20:4-6)

Are you worshiping God the way He has revealed Himself, or according to the way you think He should be worshiped?

Key Verse:

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them…” — Exodus 20:4–5a (NASB)

Background Context:

After commanding Israel to have no other gods, the Lord immediately instructed them not to make any image to represent Him. This command would have stood in sharp contrast to everything Israel had experienced in Egypt. The Egyptians, along with nearly every surrounding nation, worshiped gods through visible images, believing their idols represented the presence or power of the deity.

The God of Israel declared that He was different. He could not be represented by anything in creation because He is the Creator of all things. Israel was to worship Him in a way that reflected His holiness and uniqueness rather than imitating the worship practices of the nations around them.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 20:4-6

      4“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5“You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Reflection on Exodus 20:4–6:

The second commandment builds naturally upon the first. After establishing that He alone is to be worshiped, God now teaches His people how He is to be worshiped. The issue is not simply the creation of an image but the redirection of worship. God forbids His people from making anything that would become the focus or representation of their worship because He alone is worthy of their complete devotion.

This command would have challenged everything Israel had observed in Egypt. Every nation around them sought to represent its gods through carved images made from wood, stone, or precious metals. Their worship centered on something they could see and touch. The Lord called Israel to be different because He is different. Unlike the false gods of the nations, the God of Israel could not be contained, represented, or reduced to anything within His creation. His people were to reflect His holiness by worshiping Him in a way unlike the nations around them.

Scripture later provides a sobering example of why this command was necessary. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people made a golden calf and declared, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD” (Exodus 32:5). They were not necessarily attempting to replace the Lord with another god; they were attempting to worship the true God through an image. Yet God rejected their worship because He had already made it clear that He was not to be approached that way. Sincerity could not substitute for obedience.

The principle extends beyond carved images. God has always desired to reveal Himself rather than be redefined by human imagination. Throughout Scripture He consistently declares, “I am the LORD,” distinguishing Himself from every false god. He determines both who He is and how He is to be worshiped. Our calling is not to reshape God according to our preferences or the culture around us, but to humbly receive the revelation He has graciously given.

God’s description of Himself as “a jealous God” is not the jealousy of insecurity or selfishness. It is the righteous zeal of a covenant God who knows that only He can truly satisfy and save His people. His jealousy flows from His love. He refuses to share His glory with anything false because He knows that every substitute ultimately leads His people away from life.

The command closes with both warning and hope. God speaks of the consequences of persistent rebellion, but He also proclaims His abundant lovingkindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Even within the Ten Commandments, His mercy shines brighter than His judgment. His desire has always been to draw His people into a faithful covenant relationship with Himself.

The second commandment reminds us that true worship is never ours to invent. We worship the living God as He has revealed Himself. Because He is holy, unique, and unlike every false god, our worship should reflect His character rather than the values or practices of the world around us.

Application:

  • Worship God according to His Word rather than according to cultural trends or personal preferences.
  • Thank God that He has graciously revealed Himself so we do not have to guess what He is like.
  • Remember that genuine worship is directed to God alone, never to anything that claims to represent Him.
  • Ask the Lord to help you recognize areas where your thinking about Him may have been shaped more by culture than by Scripture.
  • Rejoice that the God who is unlike every false god has invited you into a covenant relationship with Himself.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for revealing Yourself so clearly through Your Word. Help me to worship You as You have instructed, not according to my own ideas or the influence of the world around me. Guard my heart from anything that would distract my worship or diminish Your holiness. Teach me to honor You with reverence, humility, and wholehearted devotion, knowing that You alone are worthy of all praise. 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, Fear / Reverence for God, Holy / Set Apart, Obeying God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Purposeful / Intentional, Revelation, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Faithful in an Unfaithful World (Revelation, chapters 13-17)

When you think about the book of Revelation, what stands out most—its symbols and prophecies, or its call to remain faithful to Jesus?

Key Verse:

“These are the ones who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” — Revelation 14:12 (NASB)

Background Context:

As we pause after Revelation 17, it is worth stepping back before continuing the story. Chapters 13 through 17 contain some of the most recognizable images in the book—the beast, the mark, the three angels, the song of Moses and the Lamb, the bowls of wrath, and Babylon the Great. Yet beneath these dramatic visions runs a single, consistent message.

John is not merely revealing future events. He is preparing God’s people to live faithfully in a world that increasingly opposes Him. Every vision presents another opportunity to choose where our allegiance truly belongs.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation, chapters 13-17

Reflection on Revelation 13–17:

The conflict that unfolds in these chapters is not simply between political powers or earthly kingdoms. At its heart, it is a battle for worship and allegiance. Revelation 13 presents the beast demanding worship that belongs to God alone. The pressure is immense, and those who refuse face persecution. From the very beginning of this section, John reminds believers that following the Lamb may require courage, endurance, and unwavering faith.

Chapter 14 shifts our attention from the world’s demands to heaven’s perspective. While the nations fear earthly rulers, God’s people are called to fear Him instead. John describes the saints as those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yeshua. Their identity is not found in political influence or worldly success but in steadfast obedience and trust. Even as judgment is announced, God’s people are encouraged to persevere.

In chapter 15, the faithful stand victorious beside the sea of glass, singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. That beautiful picture reminds us that God’s plan of redemption has always been one story. The God who delivered Israel from Egypt is the same God who delivers His people through the Lamb. Moses and the Lamb are not competing voices but part of the same unfolding work of salvation, revealing God’s faithfulness from generation to generation.

Chapter 16 contrasts two very different responses to God’s activity. Again and again, those who oppose Him refuse to repent, even as His judgments are poured out. In the middle of that chapter, however, Yeshua speaks directly to His followers: “Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes.” While the world hardens its heart, believers are called to remain spiritually alert, faithful, and prepared for His return. Revelation is far less concerned with satisfying our curiosity about prophetic details than with shaping our character as disciples.

Chapter 17 reveals another danger. Babylon does not conquer primarily through violence but through seduction. She offers wealth, power, luxury, and the false promise of satisfaction apart from God. The faithful are called to recognize her deception and refuse to give their hearts to what cannot last. Even the mighty kingdoms that support her prove to be temporary, but the Lamb remains Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who belong to Him are described as called, chosen, and faithful.

When these chapters are viewed together, a beautiful portrait begins to emerge. John is not describing different groups of believers but painting the same faithful remnant from several angles. They refuse to worship the beast. They fear God rather than men. They keep God’s commandments and hold fast to the testimony of Yeshua. They sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. They remain spiritually awake. They resist the seduction of Babylon. They are called, chosen, and faithful. Each vision adds another brushstroke until the character of God’s people becomes unmistakably clear.

This theme also brings us back to the opening chapters of Revelation. Before John showed us beasts, bowls, or Babylon, Yeshua spoke to seven churches. Again and again, He called them to overcome, to hold fast, to remain faithful, and to keep His works until the end. Chapters 13 through 17 do not introduce a new message; they show us why those exhortations matter. The pressures facing the churches have now expanded onto the world stage, but the call remains exactly the same: remain faithful to the Lamb.

Perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons Revelation has to offer. Many people approach this book asking, “Can I identify every symbol or predict every future event?” John repeatedly asks a different question: Will you remain faithful to Jesus? The purpose of Revelation is not merely to satisfy our curiosity about the future but to strengthen our commitment in the present. Whatever challenges God’s people may face, the Lamb has already secured the victory. Our calling is to follow Him with steadfast faith until the day we see Him face to face.

Application:

  • Examine where your highest allegiance truly belongs.
  • Choose daily to fear God rather than the pressures of the world.
  • Remain faithful in both small and great acts of obedience.
  • Guard your heart against the subtle compromises that Babylon represents.
  • Remember that the victory belongs to the Lamb, and those who remain faithful will share in His triumph.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for reminding me that Revelation is not merely a book about future events but a call to faithful living today. Help me to worship You alone, to keep Your commandments, and to hold fast to the testimony of Yeshua. Guard my heart from compromise and from the empty promises of this world. Strengthen me to remain spiritually awake, steadfast, and faithful until the day I stand before the Lamb in victory. 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, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Persecution / Glorifying God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Revelation

Great and Marvelous Are Your Works (Revelation 15:1-8)

When God’s judgment comes, will we trust that His ways are righteous and true?

Key Verse:

“And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!'” —Revelation 15:3 NASB

Background Context:

Revelation 15 is a brief but important transition between the warnings and harvest of Revelation 14 and the seven bowls of God’s wrath that will be poured out in Revelation 16. John sees seven angels holding the final seven plagues, through which the wrath of God will be completed.

Before those judgments begin, however, John’s attention is drawn to those who have overcome the beast, his image, and the number of his name. Standing before God, they worship Him and sing what John calls “the song of Moses… and the song of the Lamb.” This remarkable description connects God’s deliverance in Exodus with the ultimate deliverance accomplished through Yeshua. Moses and the Lamb are not presented as opponents or competing messages, but as part of the same unfolding plan of God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 15

A Scene of Heaven

      1Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.

      2And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.

3And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways,
King of the nations!

      4“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy;
For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU,
FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”

      5After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, 6and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Reflection on Revelation 15:1–8:

One of the most striking images in Revelation 15 is the gathering of God’s faithful people who have overcome the beast. Revelation 13 portrayed the beast as powerful and intimidating, with authority over peoples and nations. Yet from God’s eternal perspective, those who refused to worship the beast are the ones who ultimately stand victorious.

Their victory does not necessarily mean they escaped suffering or even physical death. Their victory is found in remaining faithful to God. The world may have considered them defeated, but before the throne of God they stand as overcomers. This reminds us that God’s definition of victory can be very different from the world’s.

John then tells us that they sing “the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” This deliberately connects Revelation with the Exodus story. After God delivered Israel through the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh’s pursuing army, Moses and the Israelites sang praises to the Lord for His mighty deliverance (Exodus 15:1–18). Now, in Revelation, God’s people once again stand victorious while praising the One who has delivered them.

The connection is powerful. Pharaoh sought to enslave God’s people, while the beast seeks their worship and allegiance. God delivered Israel from Pharaoh, and He will ultimately deliver His people from every power that opposes Him. The Exodus established a pattern we see throughout Scripture: God redeems His people and calls them to belong faithfully to Him.

It is also significant that those who overcome sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Moses and the Lamb are not presented as opponents or competing messages. They are part of the same unfolding plan of God. This echoes a theme we have already seen in Revelation. The dragon makes war against those who “keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17), and the saints are later described as those who “keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Now the victorious stand before God singing of Moses and the Lamb.

We should be careful not to separate what Scripture brings together. Moses does not save us; our salvation comes through Yeshua and His sacrifice on our behalf. Neither does obedience earn our salvation. Yet faith in Yeshua should not lead us to dismiss God’s instruction as though the God who spoke through Moses and the Messiah who came to redeem us represent opposing paths. From Exodus to Revelation, we see one God unfolding one plan of redemption, calling His people to trust Him, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him.

The song of Moses celebrated God’s mighty deliverance from Egypt. The song of the Lamb celebrates an even greater deliverance through Messiah. Together they point us toward the same faithful God who redeems His people and ultimately gives them victory.

Their song also declares:

“Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!”

This truth becomes especially important as Revelation moves into the severe judgments of the seven bowls. God’s judgments are not impulsive or unjust. The One who judges is the same God whose ways are righteous and true. He has repeatedly warned humanity, called people to repentance, and demonstrated tremendous patience. When His judgment finally comes, it will be completely consistent with His perfect holiness and justice.

This echoes the song of Moses in Deuteronomy:

“The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Revelation 15 invites us to trust God’s character even when we encounter passages about judgment that are difficult to comprehend. We may not always understand everything God does or exactly how His plans will unfold, but we can know who He is. His works are great and marvelous. His ways are righteous and true.

The chapter closes with the temple filled with the smoke of God’s glory and power as the seven angels prepare to pour out the bowls of wrath. The scene reminds us that history remains completely under God’s authority. The beast does not have the final word. Babylon does not have the final word. Sin, suffering, and death do not have the final word. Those who remain faithful to the Lamb may face hardship for a time, but their ultimate destination is victory and worship in the presence of God.

Application:

  • Remain faithful to God even when obedience is difficult or costly.
  • Remember that true victory is measured by faithfulness to God, not by worldly success.
  • Recognize Moses and the Lamb as part of God’s one unfolding plan rather than competing messages.
  • Hold firmly to faith in Yeshua while seeking to know and obey God’s instruction.
  • Trust God’s righteous character even when you do not fully understand His judgments.

Closing Prayer:

Father, great and marvelous are Your works, and righteous and true are Your ways. Thank You for the beautiful story of redemption You have revealed throughout Scripture, from Your deliverance of Israel from Egypt to the ultimate salvation You provide through Yeshua the Messiah. Help me not to separate what You have brought together, but to trust in Yeshua for my salvation while joyfully seeking to know and obey Your ways. Give me strength to remain faithful when the world pressures me to compromise. May my life bring You glory as I look forward to the day when Your people will stand victorious before You and worship Your name. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

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

Worship the Creator (Revelation 14:6-7)

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

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

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

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 14:6-7

Vision of the Angel with the Gospel

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

Reflection:

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

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

This language is intentional.

It echoes the opening words of Genesis:

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

It also reminds us of the Fourth Commandment:

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

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

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

He says:

“Fear God.”

Biblical fear is not merely terror.

It is reverence.

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

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

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

To fear God is not to run from Him.

It is to submit ourselves to Him.

The angel continues:

“Give Him glory.”

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

Finally, the angel commands:

“Worship Him.”

Notice that Revelation continually presents humanity with only two choices.

Will we worship the beast…

or will we worship the Creator?

There is no neutral ground.

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

The order is also significant.

The call to worship comes before the announcement of judgment.

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

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

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

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

Who truly receives our worship?

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

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

The One who created us.

The One who redeemed us.

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

Application:

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

Closing Prayer:

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

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

John Golda

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 18:1–12

Jethro, Moses’ Father-in-law

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

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

Reflection:

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

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

He carefully recounts all that the Lord had done.

He spoke of God’s deliverance from Pharaoh.

He spoke of the hardships Israel had experienced.

He spoke of God’s faithfulness through every difficulty.

And he gave God the glory for every victory.

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

The psalmist encourages us:

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

Likewise:

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

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

Jethro’s response is just as instructive.

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

He declares:

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

Moses’ testimony led directly to worship.

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

The hero was the Lord.

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

Perhaps He has carried you through a difficult season.

Perhaps He has answered a prayer.

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

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

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

Finally, notice that Moses did not hide the hardships.

He shared both the trials and God’s deliverance.

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

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

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

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

Application:

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

Closing Prayer:

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

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

John Golda

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