Category Archives: Suffering / Adversity

Consequences of Sin, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Traditions / Holidays

The Ultimate Act of Love: Reflections on Memorial Day

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As we recognize Memorial Day, it is a good time to reflect on and appreciate those who have laid down their lives for the rest of us to be able to live free in the United States of America. It is a good time to pray for those who are actively serving, have served, or are surviving family of those who have died in service to our country. God gave us this unique nation based on Judeo-Christian values and heritage. Many have served and died protecting it.

Yeshua demonstrated and taught that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. He laid down His life for all those who choose to follow Him and submit to Him. We can be thankful for sure that our sins can be forgiven because of Him. We could never pay that debt.

Yeshua also encouraged His disciples to show this kind of love for one another as well… to lay down their life for one another. So, too, are we encouraged to lay down our lives for one another. At times, we may face a situation where we literally must make that choice in an instant. Other times we lay down our lives by how we live for others rather than living for ourselves.

As we read, we should not overlook that Yeshua said that “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” This is clearly important, but a different context in our relationship with Him vs. relationships with each other that we may consider friends. We should obey Yeshua to be His “friend”. We do not need to obey each other to be friends.

John 15:12-17

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17“This I command you, that you love one another.

Take time to pray for those who risk their lives or lose them for others. Pray also for their families. Of course, not everyone in uniform is righteous or acts with righteous motives, but many have sacrificed none the less to protect our country and our freedom. Pray also for the leadership in our government so that they would lead well and not recklessly. Further, pray for the people of our nation that they would hold in high regard those that serve to protect our nation and risk their lives to do so.

Take time to also pause and reflect on our Savior, Yeshua, who laid down his life for us so we could be forgiven and reconciled with the Father. Give thanks to him. Do not let that offer be wasted. Rather, submit to him, turn from your sin, and seek him. Let him be Lord of your life. You will find greater joy and peace in this world and after.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You that You sent Yeshua to lay down His life for me, so that I could be forgiven and reconciled to You. Thank You for the people that have sacrificed personally to protect and build up our nation as a free nation built on individual liberty and not dominated by tyrants or a ruling class that controls the people. Please help protect and maintain that nation based on Your principles and ideals from those who would change it for something else, like socialism or simply giving up more and more individual freedom to government control. Please raise up the righteous and bring restoration to the land that we would be a light for the world to bring You glory. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms, Seeking God, Tribulation

Trusting God When Fear Takes Hold (Psalm 56)

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What do you do when fear feels overwhelming and people seem against you?

Key Verse:
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” —Psalm 56:3 NASB

Background Context:
Psalms 56 was written by David when the Philistines seized him in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). David found himself surrounded by enemies, vulnerable, and afraid.

Following Psalm 55, which focused on anxiety and betrayal, Psalm 56 continues the theme of distress but places even greater emphasis on choosing trust in God in the middle of fear.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 56

Supplication for Deliverance and Grateful Trust in God.

For the choir director; according to Jonath elem rehokim. A Mikhtam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

     1Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me;
Fighting all day long he oppresses me.

      2My foes have trampled upon me all day long,
For they are many who fight proudly against me.

      3When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.

      4In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me?

      5All day long they distort my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.

      6They attack, they lurk,
They watch my steps,
As they have waited to take my life.

      7Because of wickedness, cast them forth,
In anger put down the peoples, O God!

      8You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your book?

      9Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.

      10In God, whose word I praise,
In the LORD, whose word I praise,

      11In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

      12Your vows are binding upon me, O God;
I will render thank offerings to You.

      13For You have delivered my soul from death,
Indeed my feet from stumbling,
So that I may walk before God
In the light of the living.

Reflection on Psalm 56:
One of the most comforting aspects of this psalm is David’s honesty.

He does not pretend to be fearless.

Instead, he openly admits:
“When I am afraid…”

This is important.

Faith does not mean we never experience fear. Even strong believers encounter moments of anxiety, uncertainty, and vulnerability.

The difference is not the absence of fear.

The difference is what we choose to do with it.

David says:
“I will put my trust in You.”

Fear becomes a turning point toward trust rather than away from God.

David describes people attacking him continually:

  • opposing him
  • twisting his words
  • watching for opportunities against him

He feels surrounded and pressured.

Yet in the middle of all this, David repeatedly returns to the same foundation:
trust in God.

He says:
“In God, whose word I praise…”

This phrase appears multiple times.

David anchors himself not merely in changing circumstances, but in the reliability of God and His word.

This is a key lesson for us.

Fear grows when our focus remains fixed only on:

  • circumstances
  • threats
  • uncertainty
  • and human opposition

Trust grows when we remember:

  • who God is
  • what He has said
  • and that He remains faithful

David then makes a powerful declaration:
“What can mere man do to me?”

This does not mean people cannot hurt us physically or emotionally. David clearly understands danger.

Rather, he is recognizing that human power is limited while God’s authority is ultimate.

Another beautiful moment comes when David says:
“You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle.”

This reveals the personal care of God.

God is not distant from our pain.
He notices our tears.
He remembers our struggles.

Nothing we experience is unseen by Him.

David’s confidence grows throughout the psalm until he ends with praise and thanksgiving.

He declares that God has delivered his soul from death and enabled him to walk before Him in the light of life.

This progression is important.

David begins afraid.
He ends worshiping.

What changed?

Not necessarily his circumstances.

His focus changed.

Psalm 56 reminds us that fear itself is not failure. The question is whether fear will drive us deeper into anxiety—or deeper into trust.

God does not ask us to pretend fear is absent.

He calls us to trust Him in the middle of it.

Application:

  • Bring your fears honestly before God rather than hiding them.
  • Choose trust in God even when circumstances feel uncertain.
  • Anchor your thoughts in God’s Word rather than fear-driven thinking.
  • Remember that God sees your struggles and cares deeply for you.
  • Let fear become an opportunity to grow in dependence on God.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You that I can bring my fears honestly before You. Help me to trust You when anxiety and uncertainty rise in my heart. Remind me that You see every tear and every struggle. Strengthen my faith so that fear drives me closer to You rather than away from You. Teach me to rest confidently in Your faithfulness and care. 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, Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms, Seeking God, Tribulation

Casting Your Burdens on the Lord (Psalm 55)

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What do you do when the weight of fear, anxiety, and betrayal feels too heavy to carry?

Key Verse:
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” —Psalm 55:22 NASB

Background Context:
Psalms 55 is a deeply personal psalm of David. It reflects a time of intense distress, fear, and betrayal—especially betrayal from someone close to him rather than from a distant enemy.

Following Psalm 54, which emphasized trusting God when opposed by others, Psalm 55 moves deeper into the emotional weight that betrayal and anxiety can bring and shows how David responds in the middle of overwhelming pressure.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 55

Prayer for the Destruction of the Treacherous.

     1Give ear to my prayer, O God;
And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

      2Give heed to me and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,

      3Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the pressure of the wicked;
For they bring down trouble upon me
And in anger they bear a grudge against me.

      4My heart is in anguish within me,
And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

      5Fear and trembling come upon me,
And horror has overwhelmed me.

      6I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.

      7“Behold, I would wander far away,
I would lodge in the wilderness.

Selah.

      8“I would hasten to my place of refuge
From the stormy wind and tempest.”

      9Confuse, O Lord, divide their tongues,
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

      10Day and night they go around her upon her walls,
And iniquity and mischief are in her midst.

      11Destruction is in her midst;
Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets.

      12For it is not an enemy who reproaches me,
Then I could bear it;
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me,
Then I could hide myself from him.

      13But it is you, a man my equal,
My companion and my familiar friend;

      14We who had sweet fellowship together
Walked in the house of God in the throng.

      15Let death come deceitfully upon them;
Let them go down alive to Sheol,
For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.

      16As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the LORD will save me.

      17Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.

      18He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me,
For they are many who strive with me.

      19God will hear and answer them—
Even the one who sits enthroned from of old—

Selah.

With whom there is no change,
And who do not fear God.

      20He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
He has violated his covenant.

      21His speech was smoother than butter,
But his heart was war;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.

      22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

      23But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction;
Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days.
But I will trust in You.

Reflection on Psalm 55:
David begins with urgency.

He cries out for God to hear him because his thoughts are restless and his emotions are overwhelming. Fear, trembling, and dread have taken hold of him.

This is important because Scripture does not hide the reality of human struggle.

David is not emotionless.
He is not pretending to be unaffected.

He is honest before God about what he is feeling.

At one point, he says:

“Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”

David wants escape.

He wants distance from the conflict, the betrayal, and the pressure surrounding him. This is a deeply human response. When situations become painful enough, we often want to run from them.

But David does not stop there.

As the psalm continues, we learn that the deepest pain is not coming from an enemy—it is coming from someone close to him.

“It is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend…”

This betrayal cuts deeply because it comes from shared trust and relationship. David describes worshiping together and walking among God’s people together.

Betrayal from enemies is painful.
Betrayal from trusted people wounds differently.

Yet even in this, David brings his pain to God rather than allowing bitterness to consume him.

He acknowledges the wickedness around him, but he also declares:

“As for me, I shall call upon God, and the LORD will save me.”

This becomes the turning point of the psalm.

David moves from fear to trust.

Not because circumstances immediately change, but because he remembers who God is.

He says he will pray:

  • evening
  • morning
  • and at noon

This reflects continual dependence on God, not occasional desperation.

Then comes one of the most powerful invitations in the psalm:

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you…”

David does not say we will never carry burdens.

He says we are not meant to carry them alone.

God does not always remove the pressure immediately, but He sustains us beneath it. He gives strength, stability, and endurance when we bring our burdens to Him.

The psalm ends with a contrast.

David describes the instability of wickedness and deceit, but then declares:

“But I will trust in You.”

That is the final response.

Trust.

Psalm 55 reminds us that God invites us to bring Him:

  • our anxiety
  • our fear
  • our betrayal
  • our exhaustion

Not hiding it.
Not pretending.
Not carrying it alone.

And when we do, He sustains us.

Application:

  • Bring your fears and burdens honestly before God.
  • Resist the temptation to run from God when life becomes painful.
  • Continue seeking God consistently, not only in moments of crisis.
  • Trust God to sustain you even when circumstances remain difficult.
  • Choose trust over bitterness when others hurt or betray you.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You that I can bring every burden and fear to You. Help me not to carry anxiety, pain, or betrayal alone. Strengthen me to trust You in difficult seasons and to seek You continually. Sustain me when I feel overwhelmed, and keep my heart from bitterness or despair. 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.

Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin

A Hardened Heart in the Face of Truth (Revelation 9:13-21)

What would it take for someone to truly turn to God?

Key Verse:
“The rest of mankind… did not repent of the works of their hands…” —Revelation 9:20 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 9:1–12, the fifth trumpet brings intense torment upon those without God’s seal, showing a shift from environmental judgment to direct human suffering.

Now in Revelation 9:13–21, the sixth trumpet sounds, bringing even greater devastation. Yet the most striking part of this passage is not just the judgment—but the response of the people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 9:13-21

The Sixth Trumpet—Army from the East

      13Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths. 19For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.

      20The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

Reflection on Revelation 9:13–21:
When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice comes from the altar before God, and four angels are released—angels who have been prepared for this exact moment.

This reminds us again:

Nothing is random.
Nothing is out of control.

Even the timing of judgment is precise and purposeful.

These angels are released to lead an army of unimaginable size—two hundred million. The imagery that follows is overwhelming: fire, smoke, and brimstone proceed from them, bringing destruction to a third of mankind.

This is an escalation beyond anything we have seen so far.

The scale is massive.
The impact is undeniable.

Yet the most sobering part of this passage is not the judgment itself—it is the response.

“The rest of mankind… did not repent.”

Despite everything:

  • the warnings
  • the suffering
  • the clear demonstration of God’s power

People still refuse to turn to Him.

Instead, they continue in the same patterns:

  • idolatry
  • worship of false things
  • immoral living
  • violence
  • deception

This reveals something deeply important.

The problem is not lack of evidence.

The problem is the heart.

Just as we saw with Pharaoh in Exodus, people can witness powerful demonstrations of God and still refuse to submit. Hardness of heart is not broken by intensity of circumstances alone.

This passage challenges a common belief:

“If things got bad enough, people would turn to God.”

But Scripture shows that this is not necessarily true.

Without a willing heart, even the clearest warnings can be ignored.

This is why repentance is not just about reacting to circumstances—it is about a change of heart and direction.

God has been:

  • revealing Himself
  • giving warnings
  • showing restraint
  • providing opportunities to respond

Yet many continue to choose their own way.

This is both sobering and instructive.

It reminds us that we should not wait for circumstances to force change. The longer a heart resists, the more fixed it can become.

For us, this passage is a call to examine our own response.

Are we responding to God now?

Or are we delaying, assuming there will always be another opportunity?

God’s patience is real—but it is not endless.

He calls us to respond while there is still time.

Application:

  • Do not wait for circumstances to force you to turn to God.
  • Recognize that hardness of heart can persist even in severe situations.
  • Examine areas where you may be resisting God’s truth.
  • Turn from anything that draws you away from Him.
  • Respond to God’s call with humility and repentance now.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to have a soft and responsive heart toward You. Keep me from resisting Your truth or delaying my response. Reveal anything in my life that needs to change, and give me the strength to turn fully to You. Thank You for Your patience 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.

Obeying God, Repenting from Sin, Submitted / Servant, Tribulation

Empty Words of Surrender (Exodus 9:22-35)

Have you ever said the right things to God in a difficult moment—only to return to old ways when the pressure lifted?

Key Verse:
“But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” —Exodus 9:34 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 9:8–21, God sends boils upon Egypt and then warns of a coming hailstorm. Some of Pharaoh’s servants respond to God’s warning and act, while others ignore it. Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened as God continues to reveal His power and authority.

Now in Exodus 9:22–35, the hail falls just as God said, bringing destruction across Egypt—while again sparing His people. Pharaoh appears to respond, but his actions reveal something deeper about the nature of true repentance.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 9:22-35

      22Now the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” 23Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25The hail struck all that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, both man and beast; the hail also struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the field. 26Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.

      27Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones. 28“Make supplication to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” 29Moses said to him, “As soon as I go out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease and there will be hail no longer, that you may know that the earth is the LORD’S. 30“But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.” 31(Now the flax and the barley were ruined, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud. 32But the wheat and the spelt were not ruined, for they ripen late.) 33So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to the LORD; and the thunder and the hail ceased, and rain no longer poured on the earth. 34But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.

Reflection on Exodus 9:22–35:
God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky, and a devastating storm of hail, thunder, and fire comes upon Egypt. It is unlike anything the land has ever experienced.

The destruction is widespread.

People, animals, and crops left in the field are struck down. Trees are shattered. The land is broken under the weight of what God has brought.

Yet once again, there is a clear distinction.

In the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live, there is no hail.

God is continuing to demonstrate both His judgment and His protection. He is not only showing His power—He is making it unmistakably clear who belongs to Him.

In the midst of this, Pharaoh responds.

For the first time, he openly admits wrongdoing:

“I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones.”

These are strong words.

Pharaoh acknowledges God’s righteousness and his own sin. He asks Moses to entreat the LORD to stop the storm, promising to let the people go.

On the surface, this appears to be genuine repentance.

But Moses already understands what is happening.

“I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.”

Moses recognizes that Pharaoh’s words do not reflect a changed heart. Pharaoh wants relief from the consequences, but he is not ready to submit to God.

Moses prays, and the storm stops.

The thunder ceases.
The hail ends.
The pressure is removed.

And then Pharaoh responds again.

He hardens his heart.

This reveals a critical truth.

Saying the right words is not the same as true repentance.

Pharaoh confessed sin—but did not turn from it.
He acknowledged God—but did not submit to Him.
He sought relief—but not transformation.

This pattern has been building throughout the plagues, and here it becomes very clear.

Temporary pressure can produce temporary confession.
But only a changed heart produces lasting obedience.

We also continue to see the role of God in this process. Pharaoh had repeatedly hardened his own heart earlier in the account. Now, as Scripture tells us, the LORD hardens his heart—confirming him in the path he has already chosen and allowing that resistance to continue.

This is not God forcing rebellion, but God sustaining Pharaoh’s chosen direction so that His power would be fully revealed.

God is demonstrating His authority over creation, over nations, and over kings.

But Pharaoh still refuses to yield.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts.

Do we turn to God only when circumstances become difficult?

Do we say the right things in moments of pressure, but return to old patterns when life becomes easier?

True repentance is more than words.

It is a change of heart that leads to a change of life.

God is not looking for temporary responses—He is calling for lasting surrender.

Application:

  • Examine whether your response to God is genuine or driven by circumstances.
  • Do not confuse confession with true repentance.
  • Seek transformation of heart, not just relief from difficulty.
  • Be aware that temporary pressure can produce temporary change.
  • Commit to lasting obedience, even after the pressure is removed.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to come before You with a sincere and humble heart. Keep me from offering empty words or temporary responses. Change me from within so that my life reflects true repentance and obedience. Help me to follow You not only in difficult moments, but in every season. Thank You for Your patience and Your truth. 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, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Patient, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation

When God Makes You Stand (Exodus 7:1-13)

What do you do when God calls you to stand firm—but the world refuses to listen?

Key Verse:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.’” —Exodus 7:1 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3–6, God calls Moses, overcomes his objections, and establishes him and Aaron as His chosen servants. Despite their obedience, Pharaoh has already responded with resistance, and the burden on Israel has increased.

Now in Exodus 7:1–13, God begins a new phase. The confrontation between God and Pharaoh becomes direct and unmistakable. This is no longer preparation—this is the beginning of God demonstrating His authority over Egypt and its king.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 7:1-13

“I Will Stretch Out My Hand”

      1Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2“You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. 3“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4“When Pharaoh does not listen to you, then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My hosts, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5“The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.” 6So Moses and Aaron did it; as the LORD commanded them, thus they did. 7Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Aaron’s Rod Becomes a Serpent

      8Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. 12For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

Reflection on Exodus 7:1–13:
God begins by redefining Moses’ role. Moses is told he will be “as God” to Pharaoh, with Aaron serving as his prophet. This does not mean Moses is divine, but that he is acting as God’s representative—speaking with His authority.

This is a significant shift.

Moses had been focused on his weakness—his speech, his confidence, his ability. But God redirects the focus entirely. This is not about Moses’ ability. It is about God’s authority working through him.

God then makes something very clear: Pharaoh will not listen.

“I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…”

This is important for understanding obedience. God is not calling Moses to succeed by human standards. He is calling Moses to obey, even when the immediate result is resistance.

This aligns with the pattern we have already seen:

  • God calls
  • Obedience follows
  • Resistance increases

But none of this means God’s plan is failing.

In fact, God reveals that through Pharaoh’s resistance, He will multiply His signs and wonders. What appears to be opposition is actually part of God displaying His power more fully.

Moses and Aaron obey. They do exactly as the LORD commanded.

This simple statement carries great weight. After all the hesitation, doubt, and questions, they now step forward in obedience—not because they feel ready, but because they trust God.

Then comes the first sign before Pharaoh.

Aaron throws down his staff, and it becomes a serpent. This is a direct demonstration of God’s power. However, Pharaoh’s magicians replicate the sign through their secret arts.

This introduces an important tension.

At times, what God does may appear to be imitated or countered by the world. Not everything that looks powerful or supernatural is from God.

But the outcome makes the difference clear.

Aaron’s staff swallows the staffs of the magicians.

God’s power is not equal to the world’s power—it is greater.

Even so, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. He refuses to listen, just as God said he would.

This passage teaches us several important truths.

First, obedience is not dependent on immediate results. We are called to speak and act as God directs, even when others resist.

Second, opposition does not mean failure. God often works through resistance to accomplish His greater purposes.

Third, God’s authority is unmatched. What the world imitates, God surpasses.

Finally, we are reminded that being used by God is not about our qualifications, but about our willingness to obey.

Moses once doubted he could even speak. Now he stands before the most powerful ruler in the world as God’s appointed messenger.

The same principle applies to us. When God calls us to speak truth, stand firm, or act in obedience, He is not asking us to rely on our strength—but on His.

Application:

  • Obey God even when you expect resistance.
  • Do not measure success by immediate results.
  • Trust that God’s authority is greater than any opposition.
  • Be discerning—test what you see against God’s truth.
  • Step forward in faith, knowing God equips those He sends.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me to walk in obedience, even when it is difficult. Help me not to be discouraged by resistance, but to trust in Your greater plan. Give me boldness to speak truth and confidence in Your authority. Remind me that it is not my strength, but Yours, that accomplishes 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.

Protector / Deliverer, Revelation, Salvation, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation

Who Can Stand God’s Judgment? (Revelation 7)

When the world feels unstable, do you know where your security truly comes from?

Key Verse:
“For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.” —Revelation 7:15 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 6, the opening of the seals reveals judgment unfolding on the earth. It raises a sobering question: who can stand in the day of God’s wrath?

Revelation 7 answers that question by shifting the focus away from judgment and onto God’s people. Before further judgment unfolds, God pauses to reveal two important realities: He seals His servants, and He preserves a great multitude who will stand before Him in victory.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 7

An Interlude

      1After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

The 144,000

      4And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.


A Multitude from the Tribulation

      9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying,
“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

      13Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15“For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16“They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Reflection on Revelation 7:
Revelation 7 begins with a moment of restraint. The winds of judgment are held back until the servants of God are sealed on their foreheads. This sealing represents God’s ownership, protection, and authority over His people.

It is a powerful reminder: before judgment proceeds, God secures those who belong to Him.

The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are specifically identified and sealed. This shows that God has not forgotten His covenant people. His promises remain intact, even in the midst of global upheaval.

Then the scene shifts dramatically.

John sees a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are clothed in white robes and holding palm branches, crying out in worship and salvation.

This reveals the global scope of God’s redemption. Salvation is not limited—it extends to all who come to Him in faith.

These believers have come out of the great tribulation. They have endured suffering, remained faithful, and now stand victorious—not because of their own strength, but because they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

Their victory is rooted in Yeshua.

The imagery here echoes the themes of deliverance seen throughout Scripture. Just as God delivered His people from Egypt and brought them into His presence, He now brings His people through tribulation into eternal worship.

God spreads His tabernacle over them—His presence becomes their covering. They will hunger no more, thirst no more, nor will the sun beat down on them.

The Lamb becomes their Shepherd.

This is a beautiful reversal: the One who was sacrificed now leads, protects, and provides for His people. He guides them to springs of living water, and God wipes away every tear from their eyes.

Revelation 7 answers the question from chapter 6—who can stand?

Those who belong to God.
Those who are sealed by Him.
Those who remain faithful through hardship.

Their security is not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence and promise of God.

Application:

  • Anchor your security in God, not in circumstances.
  • Remember that God knows and seals those who belong to Him.
  • Remain faithful even in hardship, trusting in God’s ultimate victory.
  • Rejoice in the global scope of salvation—God is drawing people from every nation.
  • Fix your hope on the future promise of God’s presence and restoration.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for securing those who belong to You. Help me to trust in Your protection and remain faithful no matter what I face. Strengthen my hope in Your promises and remind me that my future is secure in You. Lead me as my Shepherd and help me to walk in obedience and faith. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

Depression / Discouragement, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

What Happens After You Say Yes to God (Exodus 4-6)

Have you ever wondered why following God sometimes feels harder after you begin to obey?

Key Verse:
“I will bring you out… I will deliver you… I will redeem you… I will take you for My people…” —Exodus 6:6–7 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 4–6, we see a powerful sequence unfold in the life of Moses and the people of Israel. God calls Moses, overcomes his objections, and sends him to deliver His people. What follows is not immediate success, but a series of challenges that reveal how God works through His people.

This section of Exodus provides more than historical events—it gives us a pattern for understanding our own walk with God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 4–6

Reflection on Exodus 4–6:
When God calls Moses, his first response is hesitation. He questions his ability, his worthiness, and even asks God to send someone else. This is where many of us begin. When God calls us, we often focus on our limitations rather than His power.

Yet God does not withdraw the calling. He patiently answers Moses’ objections and reminds him that His presence will be enough.

Eventually, Moses chooses to obey.

This step is critical. Obedience does not require perfect confidence—it requires willingness.

But what happens next is often unexpected.

Instead of things improving, they become more difficult. Pharaoh rejects God’s command, and the burden on the Israelites increases. What seemed like the beginning of deliverance now feels like the beginning of greater suffering.

This is where many people become discouraged.

We expect obedience to lead to immediate results. When it does not, we begin to question whether we heard God correctly, or whether we made a mistake.

The people turn against Moses. Moses himself questions God.

Yet in this moment, God responds—not by immediately changing the situation, but by reaffirming His promise.

“I am the LORD.”

God reminds Moses of who He is and what He has already said He will do. His promises have not changed, even though circumstances have.

This reveals a pattern we must understand:

God calls → we struggle → we obey → resistance comes → discouragement follows → God reassures.

This is not failure.

This is the process of learning to trust God.

Obedience is not a straight path of immediate success. It is a journey that stretches our faith, challenges our expectations, and teaches us to rely not on outcomes, but on God Himself.

Many people stop in the middle of this process. They obey, encounter resistance, and assume something has gone wrong.

But Scripture shows us the opposite.

Resistance does not mean you are outside of God’s will.
Discouragement does not mean God has abandoned you.

Often, these are the very places where God is preparing to demonstrate His power.

The question is not whether we will face these moments—but whether we will continue to trust Him through them.

God’s promises remain true, even when we cannot yet see how they will be fulfilled.

Application:

  • Recognize this pattern in your own walk with God.
  • Do not be discouraged when obedience leads to difficulty.
  • Continue trusting God even when results are delayed.
  • Return to God’s promises when your circumstances feel overwhelming.
  • Choose to remain faithful through every stage of the process.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing me that the journey of obedience is not always easy, but that You are present in every step of it. Help me to trust You when I face resistance or discouragement. Remind me that Your promises do not change, even when my circumstances do. Strengthen my faith to continue walking with You, trusting in Your plan and Your timing. 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.

Courage / Fear, Depression / Discouragement, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Faith / Trusting God, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Hope in the Middle of Discouragement (Exodus 6:1-13)

Have you ever been so discouraged that you struggled to hear what God was saying?

Key Verse:
“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out… I will redeem you… I will take you for My people…’” —Exodus 6:6–7 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 5, Moses obeys God and confronts Pharaoh—but instead of improvement, the situation worsens. The Israelites’ burden increases, and both the people and Moses become discouraged.

Now in Exodus 6, God responds—not by changing the situation immediately, but by reaffirming His promise and reminding Moses of who He is.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 6:1-13

God Promises Action

      1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”

      2God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD; 3and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them. 4“I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned. 5“Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7‘Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8‘I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD.’” 9So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.

      10Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 11“Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” 12But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?” 13Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Reflection on Exodus 6:1–13:
God begins with a powerful statement: “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.”

This is a turning point. God is not reacting—He is declaring that His plan is about to unfold.

But instead of immediately delivering Israel, God does something deeper. He reminds Moses of His identity.

“I am the LORD.”

This phrase is repeated throughout the passage. God is grounding Moses not in circumstances, but in His character.

He then reminds Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not a new plan. God is continuing what He already promised long ago.

Then come a series of powerful declarations—what are often called the “I will” statements:

  • I will bring you out
  • I will deliver you
  • I will redeem you
  • I will take you as My people
  • I will be your God
  • I will bring you into the land

These are not possibilities—they are promises.

Yet when Moses shares this with the people, something surprising happens:

They do not listen.

Scripture says it is because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

This is deeply relatable. When life becomes overwhelming, even truth can be hard to receive. God is speaking hope, but the people are too burdened to hear it.

This shows us that discouragement can affect not only how we feel—but what we are able to receive spiritually.

God does not rebuke them for this. Instead, He continues His plan.

He then tells Moses again to go speak to Pharaoh.

Moses responds with doubt: “If the sons of Israel will not listen to me, how then will Pharaoh listen?”

This brings us back to an earlier theme—Moses still feels inadequate.

Yet God does not withdraw the calling.

This passage reminds us of something critical:

God’s promises are not dependent on our feelings.
God’s plan is not stopped by our discouragement.

Even when people cannot hear Him clearly… God is still working.

Application:

  • Hold on to God’s promises, even when circumstances feel worse.
  • Remember that God’s character does not change based on your situation.
  • Be aware that discouragement can make it harder to hear truth.
  • Return to God’s Word when your feelings are overwhelmed.
  • Trust that God is working, even when you cannot yet see it.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust in Your promises even when I feel discouraged. When I struggle to hear You clearly, remind me of who You are and what You have said. Strengthen my faith to believe Your truth over my circumstances, and help me to continue walking forward in obedience. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Tribulation

Faith in the Face of Resistance (Exodus 5:1-9)

Have you ever obeyed God—only to have things get worse instead of better?

Key Verse:
“But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.’” —Exodus 5:2 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3–4, God calls Moses, overcomes his objections, and brings him to a place of obedience. Moses moves from reluctance to action, stepping forward in faith to do what God commanded.

This begins a clear spiritual progression: God calls, we wrestle with doubt, we choose obedience—and then we encounter resistance. Exodus 5 marks the moment where obedience meets real opposition.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 5

Israel’s Labor Increased

      1And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” 2But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.” 3Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labors!” 5Again Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now many, and you would have them cease from their labors!” 6So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their foremen, saying, 7“You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8“But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9“Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

Reflection on Exodus 5:1–9:
Moses and Aaron finally stand before Pharaoh and deliver God’s command: “Let My people go.” This is a bold act of obedience. Moses is no longer making excuses—he is doing exactly what God told him to do.

But instead of immediate success, they are met with rejection.

Pharaoh responds, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice?” This is not just defiance against Moses—it is defiance against God Himself. Pharaoh does not acknowledge God’s authority and refuses to submit.

This moment is important. Obedience to God does not guarantee immediate results. In fact, it often exposes resistance that was already there.

Pharaoh then makes the situation worse. He increases the burden on the Israelites by requiring them to gather their own straw while maintaining the same workload. What had already been difficult now becomes even more oppressive.

From a human perspective, this would seem like failure. Moses obeyed, and conditions worsened.

This is where many people struggle in their walk with God.

We trust Him, but we also expect to see results quickly. When those results do not come—or when things become more difficult—it is easy to become discouraged.

Yet God has already warned us that His ways are not our ways.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8–9

God not only works differently in how He accomplishes His plans, but also in when He fulfills them. We tend to look for quick results, but God works according to His perfect timing.

Scripture reminds us:

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.” —Lamentations 3:25–26

“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” —Isaiah 40:31

Even Moses would soon become discouraged when things did not improve immediately. But this was not outside of God’s plan. In fact, God had already told him this would happen:

“But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. 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.” —Exodus 3:19–20

This means that the resistance Moses encountered was not failure—it was confirmation that God’s plan was unfolding exactly as He said.

This reveals an important truth:

God’s delays are not His absence.
God’s resistance is not His rejection.

This fits the pattern we see developing:

God calls → we struggle → we obey → resistance comes.

Exodus 5 reminds us that opposition is not a sign that we are outside of God’s will. It is often the place where God is preparing to demonstrate His power.

The question is not whether we will face resistance—but whether we will remain faithful when we do.

Application:

  • Do not assume that difficulty means you are outside of God’s will.
  • Be patient and trust in God’s timing rather than expecting immediate results.
  • Stay faithful to what God has called you to do, even when things get harder.
  • Remember that God is working even when you cannot yet see the outcome.
  • Strengthen your faith to continue in obedience despite opposition.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to remain faithful when obedience becomes difficult. Teach me to trust in Your timing and not my own expectations. When I face resistance or discouragement, remind me that You are still working and that Your plans are unfolding perfectly. Give me the strength to wait on You and continue walking in obedience. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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

John Golda

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