The chosen, the called and the desperate

Shabbat, 5 Iyar 5785 / May 3, 2025

Saturday Scriptures

Tazria (She Conceives) / Metzora (Infected One)

Torah: Parshat Tazria-Metzora, 7th Portion (Vayikra (Leviticus) 15:16-15:33)

Haftarah M’tzora: M’lakhim Bet (2 Kings) 7:3–20
B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah M’tzora: Mattityahu (Matthew) 9:20–26; Mark 5:24b–34; Luke 8:42b– 48; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 13:4

WWCF Readings:

1 Chronicles 28-29; 2 Chronicles 1

Bible in A Year

Joshua 23-24; John 3:22-36; Psalm 55:12-23

Observation

In the Torah Study (Study of the Law) Leviticus records specific commands and rules for the clean and unclean groups of food, people and situations. Lepers are unclean and so is anyone who have specimen emissions from or any bodily discharge, male or female, are considered unclean, so female women are unclean during their period and after giving birth, they are not to enter the Camp of Israel for the specific number of days that they are still in their "unclean" period.

In the story of 1 Chronicles 28-29 and 2 Chronicles 1, I read about the life of Solomon and how he was chosen by GOD to be the next ruling King over GOD's people Israel and that as a boy, he had no choice but to heed to the calling of his life. His father David raised him to be the next King, charging him with everything GOD wants done in his life and Kingdom era. His era will be a time of peace and not of war he is the one to build a Temple for the LORD GOD of Israel. At the beginning of Solomon's life, he pleased GOD as he began to reign as King because he asked GOD to give him wisdom and in a dream GOD responded to his request by giving him that and even more. However, because of the pleasures and luxuries in life, Solomon didn't finish well because he probably was too relaxed and this made him complaisant not only in his way of living but in his faithfulness to GOD who called him, he totally forgot about GOD and his heart went astray to serve other gods because of his many wives. Some people can be lucky to have been born into a well to do family or to have started well in life, but many are not born into silver spoons, or even in a good family, however how we live and follow through to be able to finish well in our lives matters most to GOD than how we started. 

In the books of the Gospel, the story highlights of a woman who has been unclean because she had been bleeding for 12 years of her life. In the olden times, the lepers and sickly people considered unclean could not enter the presence of GOD and therefore they were banned from entering the Camp where the Israelites lived, they were to live outside the norm, and so they were the outcasts of the past. 

Comparing these two different and separate lives, Solomon and that of the unnamed woman who had bled for 12 years, who do you think pleased GOD more?

I would say it was the woman! For she moved and touched the heart of GOD even though she really had a bad start in her life, but Solomon though he started so well in life and with GOD, he wasn't able to finish strong. What irony do the stories go and end. That those who are chosen end up falling from grace. Those who are needy end up being chosen because they are left with no choice but to chase  GOD because they need HIM. But GOD is calling everyone in this world to be right with HIM. 

Call to Action: 

So this is my encouragement, to the lost, to the broken, to those fighting to have peace, struggling to live another day because of pain, because of depression, trying to make sense of everything and trying to make things right within themselves and with GOD: I dare you... to run after JESUS!!! YOUR desperate cry for GOD will move His heart to turn around and find you and HE will be everything that YOU ever need. HE will be your peace, your reason, your hope, your joy, your everything. HE wants to be your GOD and HE wants to be our everything, because it is through HIM, for HIM and by HIM that all things were made, and so at the end of our lives, we always come back to HIM. If your life ended today, will you be able to have conficence to face GOD? Or shy away knowing you have fallen from where you used to stand? As long as we are in the world, we are fighting many battles, and losing is not an option because GOD has called us to be more than conquerors. If you feel that you are at a losing end today, it's okay. It is in these painful realizations that GOD is calling and wooing you to come back to HIM! Don't let another day pass without seeking HIS face.

Scripture reference: Colossians 1:15-17

Do the work - June 17, 2014

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 25-29

9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.”
20 Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly. 21 The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command.” 

-1 Chronicles 28

18 “O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. 19 Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.” - 1 Chronicles 29
Message:
Be strong and courageous and do the work.

Observation:
God has called us for a specific purpose. Many times it is laid before us by the family that GOD has given us, other times, GOD calls us out of our families like David was called from being a shepherd to be a king. Whatever that GOD has called us to do, we ought to remind ourselves and be faithful to do it.

Application:

Be faithful to the calling of GOD in your life. Many times we forget, we get busy with the mundane things instead of what we were called to be, remember GOD's purpose and plan for your life and do it with all your heart for there is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than being able to do what GOD has created you to do.

Sovereign GOD - May 11, 2014

Scripture: Job 11-12
7 “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. 

Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
9 For they all know that my disaster[a] has come from the hand of theLord.
10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.
11 The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.
12 Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.
13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom.
23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them. - Job 12

Message:

Sovereign GOD, He alone has the power to bless or bring trouble.

Observation/Promise:

GOD is Sovereign. Nothing happens on heart without His approval or consent. Both disaster and blessing comes from GOD. He allows trouble to come into the lives of his children and beloved sometimes to test us or to purify our hearts. But GOD will not give to us beyond what we can bear. Although He tests us, He gives us everything we need to succeed and pass the test. HE is a faithful GOD and He will never fail us when we depend on Him and His power save us.

Application/Command:

Be faithful to GOD no matter what happens, GOD is great He alone is the source of everything and causes everything to will and to act according to His will. Trust in His kindness and love. Cling to the Lord more than anything else in this world. He only want us to be the best that He can transform us to be. His plan is always for our good.

Faithful GOD - April 3, 2014

Scripture: Job 1-2
6 Adonai said to the Adversary, “Here! He is in your hands, except that you are to spare his life.”
7 Then the Adversary went out from the presence of Adonai and struck Iyov down with horrible infected sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 He took a piece of a broken pot to scratch himself and sat down in the pile of ashes. 9 His wife asked him, “Why do you still hold on to your integrity? Curse God, and die!” 10 But he answered her, “You’re talking like a low-class woman! Are we to receive the good at God’s hands but reject the bad?” In all this Iyov did not say one sinful word.
13 Then they sat down with him on the ground. For seven days and seven nights, no one spoke a word to him; because they saw how much he was suffering.
Message:
HE is GOD and He is a faithful GOD through the good and the bad times.

Obeservation/Promise:
All of GOD's children are in GOD's hands, He protects us from harm and everything that is not good for us. The only time GOD gives us up from His hands is when He is going to test us and so we go through trials, and great sufferings, but this is all with GOD's consent. But the great about Iyov or Job was that he knew GOD and was faithful to him in both the good times and the bad times. The devil thought that he was just like any other man on earth, that will curse GOD when horrible things happen to him, but he was none like the others and GOD was proud of him the Lord even boasted about his servant to the devil and He was right about Job.

Application/Command:
Be faithful to GOD in the good times where we are not troubled by trials and everything to GOD but most especially in the bad times when we are suffering and going through such misery. GOD is always in Control, even when we see that everything is out of control. GOD has a purpose and plan for everything, therefore trust HIM and stay faithful to Him. No matter how hard difficult life is, all the more cling and hold on to GOD. In the end, GOD will prove Himself faithful and true to us and we His servants will end in praise and rejoicing because He is good!!! 

Fear GOD - March 24, 2014

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32-34
4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!4 
21 They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not God;
they have provoked my anger with their useless idols.
Now I will rouse their jealousy through people who are not even a people;
I will provoke their anger through the foolish Gentiles.

Message:
The Lord's Anger burns against the unfaithful, rebellious and disobedient.

Observation/Promise:
God's ways are perfect, there is no wrong in Him. Isn't it wonderful that there is somebody perfect whom we can look to for justice, for perfection, for holiness, for everything we ever need. Looking to His perfection, His glory will make us a little more and more like Him. When GOD calls us to walk with Him, we slowly become like Him, but when He calls us, we have to respond with our hearts and not with our minds, not half heartedly, for a half hearted response is what He despise. He wants to mold us into His perfect will, it is our task to obey.

Command/Application:
We ought to regard the Lord as a High Being worthy of the highest respect and reverent fear. When we understand His Holiness, we will fear Him in a right way and not take His grace and mercy for granted. We will love Him with all our hearts when we know who He truly is. It is important to love GOD but it is equally important to fear Him.

Overcome with Him - March 21, 2014

Scripture: Revelations 12-17

11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. - Rev 12

10 This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. - Rev 13

12 This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God’s people, those who observe his commands and exercise Yeshua’s faithfulness. - Rev 14
15 (“Look! I am coming like a thief! How blessed are those who stay alert and keep their clothes clean, so that they won’t be walking naked and be publicly put to shame!”) 

- Rev 16
14 They will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are called, chosen and faithful will overcome along with him.” 

17 For God put it in their hearts to do what will fulfill his purpose, that is, to be of one mind and give their kingdom to the beast until God’s words have accomplished their intent. 

- Rev 17

Message:
Persevere! As GOD's chosen people, we are called to persevere the trials that we face in our lives.

Observation/Promise:
We are living in the end of days and we have not even started yet with the tribulation but the trials and hardship that we go through is already excruciating. We are troubled by our finances, work, in church, in our relationships, we can feel the birth pangs of the world. But Yeshua has overcome that world and we should hold on all the more when the going gets tough that those who are called, chosen and faithful will overcome along with him.” (Rev 17:14) 

Command/Application:
Do no love your life - let GOD be the center of your heart and the One you love the most. If GOD is your greatest love, then you will fear nothing else not even losing your life.
Endure Persecution - whether it is persecution from the world or even from your own family, friends or to the group you belong, endure!
Patiently remain faithful - be faithful to GOD, HE is always faithful to you. Do not let circumstances and trials shove you away from GOD.
Persevere - stand firm in the Lord and His word and persevere whatever trials may come your way. GOD has promised - We shall overcome with Him! We can only overcome through HIM.

GOD, Faithful, Restorer of my Joy - March 10, 2014

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26-28
7 So we cried out to Adonai, the God of our ancestors. Adonai heard us and saw our misery, toil and oppression; 8 and Adonai brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and a stretched-out arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders.9 Now he has brought us to this place and given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.10 Therefore, as you see, I have now brought the firstfruits of the land which you, Adonai, have given me.’ You are then to put the basket down beforeAdonai your God, prostrate yourself before Adonaiyour God, 11 and take joy in all the good thatAdonai your God has given you, your household, the Levi and the foreigner living with you.
12 “After you have separated a tenth of the crops yielded in the third year, the year of separating a tenth, and have given it to the Levi, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, so that they can have enough food to satisfy them while staying with you; 13 you are to say, in the presence of Adonai your God, ‘I have rid my house of the things set aside for God and given them to theLevi, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, in keeping with every one of the mitzvot you gave me. I haven’t disobeyed any of your mitzvot or forgotten them. 

Message:

The Faithfulness of GOD

Observation/Promise:

GOD hears His people. GOD is such a merciful GOD, He heard the cries and anguish of His people when they were oppressed in Egypt and not only did He hear, He brought them out of Egypt to a land where abundant blessings flow. A land where they don't have to depend on others to provide them with food but a land where GOD richly provides them with everything they need and more. But with all the blessings that GOD gives to us, what does He require of us? More sacrifice? Something burdensome? No, instead He requires that we His people give to Him a firstfruit of our blessings by giving our tithe for GOD's house and be giving and kind to the poor and needy people and even the foreigners in the land that GOD gave to them. Is a 10th too much to give??? See how gracious and just, compassionate and faithful GOD is to His people. He only requires us to be faithful to Him and to His commands that are good and will benefit us as a people.

Command:

Separate a tenth for GOD in the firstfruits of your harvest from the blessings GOD has richly given you, this tenth will given to four people:
1) The Levi in GOD's house
2) Poor Foreigner
3) Poor Orphans
4) Needy Widows.
Offer and surrender whatever GOD wants to have in your life because it only means HE wants to give you more.

Application:
Initially, did not chose to give up my beloved dog Cherry but GOD took her away so suddenly, it was so painful how she died and I kept crying about it but later I surrendered her to the Lord trusting that HE only knows what's best for us. GOD took our Cherry on a Sunday but GOD gave us another Cobe on another faithful Sunday that HE chose to display His great faithfulness and loving kindness to us as a family. All I can say is glory be to GOD, HE is sooo good. HE truly turned my mourning into dancing! HE truly restored my joy.

The Time is Near - March 7, 2014

Scripture: Revelations 1-6

3 Blessed are the reader and hearers of the words of this prophecy, provided they obey the things written in it! For the time is near! - Rev 1
26 To him who wins the victory and does what I want until the goal is reached, I will give him authority over the nations; 27 he will rule them with a staff of iron and dash them to pieces like pottery, 28 just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. 29 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’ - Rev 2

8 “I know what you are doing. Look, I have put in front of you an open door, and no one can shut it. I know that you have but little power, yet you have obeyed my message and have not disowned me.
9 Here, I will give you some from the synagogue of the Adversary, those who call themselves Jews but aren’t — on the contrary, they are lying — see, I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you did obey my message about persevering, I will keep you from the time of trial coming upon the whole world to put the people living on earth to the test. 11 I am coming soon; hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 

12 I will make him who wins the victory a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he will never leave it. - Rev 3

Message:
For the time is near and GOD is coming!

Observation/Promise:

We are here on earth for a purpose. We have a purpose and destiny ordained by GOD, are we serving and living that purpose? Our time on earth thought it seems many, will soon pass away, and afterwards we will be judged according to our works. The Lord is coming soon, what are we doing with our lives? Have we lived for Him or only for ourselves? The Bible writes everything GOD has instructed us to do while we are on earth, did we obey, did we even listen or read words of His truth? What we have now is temporary. What we do in the temporary will determine what we will do in the eternal. If we are living for GOD, He will crown us and many rewards await us. 

Command/Application:

Read the Word of GOD, listen to His voice, Obey His will. GOD has created us for a purpose and we need to do and follow what HE has created us for. When HE comes will He find us faithful? Let us hold on to what we have, stay faithful in GOD let no one take away our faith and the promises that GOD has for us. 

GOD is faithful, so should we - March 4, 2014

Scripture: Nehemiah 5-9

7 “You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham. 8 When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.

32 “And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.
36 “So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We are slaves here in this good land.37 The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery.”

Message:

GOD always fulfills His promise, but He will always judge us when we don't obey His instructions to us. 

Observation/Promise:

We have to prove ourselves faithful. Even when GOD has given us a promise, when we are unworthy of having and receiving the promise of GOD, GOD will still fulfill His promise but we will ensnarled by the trap of judgement and we will not enjoy His promise. GOD's promise is sure to come true, because GOD never lies, but we have to keep hearts firmly established in the Lord, we cannot let pride overtake us and cause ourselves to rebel against Him. Just like the Israelites, they are living in the Promise of GOD but they are facing so much trouble because of their rebellion. In the land of plenty, they are in need and struggling to survive. There is a curse for those that rebel against GOD. If we want to enjoy the blessings of GOD, we need to walk whole heartedly after him.

Command/Application:

Stay faithful to the LORD by obeying His instructions.

Always remember what He said we have to do, by reading His word and obeying them.

We have to humble ourselves before GOD.

Do not be proud, listen and be sensitive to His word.

Always think about what GOD has done for you, everytime you are tempted to rebel, look back and remember what GOD has done. He has always been faithful, let us be faithful to Him too.

Joyfully Expecting

6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

- Luke 1:6-17

Many devoted and faithful followers of GOD are going through what Zechariah and Elizabeth are going through. They are faithful servants of GOD, yet the one thing that any couple would want was to have a family they could not have because Elizabeth could not bear a child. They would have felt discouraged with their dilemma and they could have just lost faith in their GOD and rebelled against HIM. But patiently they waited on GOD, I bet they did not ask anymore to have a son since both of them were very old and that made it even more hard to conceive a child.

But one day, just like the many days Zechariah was in GOD's temple, faithfully doing what GOD had called Him to do. And suddenly! GOD shows up to Him by sending an Angel saying GOD has hear your prayer! Are you praying for a long time now for something that seems impossible and it feels like GOD may have already forgotten your prayers? Do not lose hope. For GOD has never forgotten you or the prayers of your heart. HE is just waiting for the right time to give it because HIS time is perfect causing HIM to be glorified when HE answers the impossible prayers of your heart. When HE answers, it will be a bang! Awesome and Amazing as HE is and that is how we should pray, joyfully expecting in faith.

Step out in Faith

20 “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. 21 Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. 22 But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. 23 For my angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them completely. 24 You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars.
25 “You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. 26 There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land, and I will give you long, full lives.

-Exodus 23

When GOD sends you to a place He wants you to go for a specific purpose, He provides everything that you need to be able to survive. He sends an angel to go before you and protect you as you go your way, to lead you safely to the place He has prepared. This is how faithful GOD is. He prepares the way before us, but we are to listen to the Angel he has assigned to us. And to listen closely to what the Angel is instructing us. We don't literally see an Angel because angels may come in the form of humans, people that watch over us like protectors and soul keepers. They are accountable to GOD for us. Most of the time that angel is the Holy Spirit that will be leading us and instructing us what to do. 

Is the LORD sending you somewhere? Has he been calling you to be there but you have been scared and frightened with the thought of leaving your place of comfort, your home? Do not let your fears paralyze you. Live in the fullness of GOD and walk by faith. Trusting Him is the only key to take on the journey He has called each of us to take. The LORD has promised great things, staying where you are is disobedience if you have been called by GOD to go some place else. You will miss out big time if you do not obey. Heed His voice and do whatever you can to start your journey. Take hold of GOD's hand and step out in faith.

GOD is faithful

14 For God speaks again and again,
though people do not recognize it.
15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.
16 He whispers in their ears
and terrifies them with warnings.
17 He makes them turn from doing wrong;
he keeps them from pride.
18 He protects them from the grave,
from crossing over the river of death.
19 “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds,
with ceaseless aching in their bones.

- Job 33

GOD speaks each day to everyone. But we have to be sensitive and even attentive to what HE is saying because HE is saying something. He wants to guide us into the best path, HE wants to lead us to success. He speaks using many things such as dreams during sleep and in visions or through other people, through circumstances and many more. But to those who are not even aware that HE is there, or who do know care about what He thinks will be in the road leading to death. HE doesn't let them go as they are in the wrong path. He warns the wicked too so that they too will turn from doing wrong. GOD is fair and just, HE will not let anyone go down without a warning. 

The LORD Almighty, HE is faithful, faithful even those that do not seek Him. Day and Night He provides sunshine and air both for the righteous and wicked and rains to their land. HE protects the righteous from doing wrong and keeps them from their pride because everyone is prone to it. Nobody is an expert of keeping away from pride but only those whose hearts belonging to GOD can keep away from pride because they let the LORD remind them not to even give a single way or thought towards it. HE protects anyone from dying. HE is faithful to those that are struggling and fighting against the battles of alcohol, smoke or drugs. HE disciplines them by pain of being sick just so they will turn away from whatever that has enslaved them. GOD is faithful, are we desperate enough to surrender to HIM?

Faithful to the Faithful

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look with lust at a young woman.
2 For what has God above chosen for us?
What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high?
3 Isn’t it calamity for the wicked
and misfortune for those who do evil?
4 Doesn’t he see everything I do
and every step I take?

- Job 31

Job was not just a believer of GOD who goes to church every Sunday and gave his tithes to the temple. He didn't just listen to the preacher and forgot all about them during the week. He wasn't just any ordinary man who had religion but did not have faith. Job loved GOD. He loved GOD so much he pleased GOD in the deep of his heart to the pages of his thoughts. To make a covenant or a promise with himself never to look at lust with a young woman is a man who has developed a character of moral excellence. It is very hard for man not to look at women with lust because naturally men are very visual and anything they see stimulates them. But it was Job's prerogative to discipline the thoughts of his mind and keeping them pure and holy before GOD.  You can never keep birds of thoughts from flying over your head, but you can always keep them from building a nest in it.

Job was a man that truly feared GOD. Fearing GOD is not to be afraid of Him but to have the highest respect and reverend awe for GOD. This is how Job lived his life and GOD was very pleased with him. GOD was so proud of Job that HE had to boast about him to the devil and so gave the devil the chance to test the one who was more righteous than anyone on the face of the earth to prove GOD wrong. GOD believing Job so much allowed the devil to touch  his wealth, his family, his health but Job never disappointed GOD in fact he was so faithful to GOD even to the point of death. For this Job's fear for GOD paid off in the end. Job was given back a hundred times back what the devil had stolen and broken from his life and lived even more abundantly than he ever did before. So what is the difference between someone who loves GOD and someone who doesn't? Both go through the same troubles and even the righteous go through it undeserved. But one thing is for sure. The righteous may have troubles but the LORD delivers him from them all. He is faithful to the faithful.

Seeking His Kingdom

20 “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. 21 Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 22 The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.
23 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. 25 But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.”

- 1 Samuel 12

The LORD GOD of Israel wants to be the Shepherd of Israel. It is hard for the people to be ruled by an invisible GOD so they asked Samuel for a King. It meant they wanted a human leader more than GOD Himself to be their King. But even when they asked for a visible human King, the LORD gave in to their request and gave to a king to them. Hoping that they will stay faithful to GOD and never worship any other god but him. For GOD is faithful, He will not disown what He has called His own for that will go against His very being and character. He is faithful, He cannot be unfaithful.

Samuel was also a faithful servant and worshipper of GOD. How many of us can continue to pray for others who have already hurt and betrayed us? How many of us can carry on loving others that are stubborn and have wronged us? But those that are called by GOD are given the strength to be faithful to what GOD has called them to do. As long as you stay faithful to GOD, to love and honor Him, then there's nothing that GOD can't do through you. Don't stop praying for others when GOD has assigned them to your care. If you feel responsible to watch over them spiritually, cover them in prayers - this is how we put GOD's Kingdom first.

Trusting GOD in the Dark

19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

- Genesis 39

The Favor of GOD rests in you when you are accused of something that you have not done. How could one feel that they are in GOD's favor when they are being accused of something that they have not done? But it is true in Josephs's life. He was favored by His father Jacob and was loved more than any other sibling. But he was envied by his siblings and didn't know how such envy could result into them selling him as a slave to strangers. He worked his best in Potiphar's house and earned the Potiphar's trust but the Potiphar's wife betrayed him by accusing him of something he had not done and was sent to prison. After all these things, Joseph was still faithful to GOD and that he managed to excel even in the prison cell.

When we remain faithful and humble even when the world has been so hostile to us, we receive GOD's favor. Everytime there is injustice being done in our lives and we trust HIM with it instead of plotting to have revenge, we received GOD's favor and the opportunity for GOD to bless us in the right time. The LORD was merciful to Joseph and understood the hardship he had to go through that GOD gave Joseph strength to be in the worst place on earth - the prison cell. But even in the darkest place in our lives, GOD's light can shine when we chose to trust Him with everything.

His Wonderful Ways

8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.

- Psalm 16:9-11

GOD is faithful even when we are in the middle of trouble, HE never leaves our side. It is food to our soul and rest for our weariness from troubles when we read David's psalm in the middle of trials. All the more we have to remember who GOD is when we are faced with troubles so we will not be shaken or moved. We can rest in HIS faithfulness when we look back and remember what HE has done for us. For there will come a time when we will be able to understand the storms that come our way or why GOD has allowed some hard things had to happen in our lives and usually this time of understanding comes after the strom has passed from our lives.

The LORD will never abandon His chosen ones, allowing their lives to come to nothing as their bodies rot in the grave. HE always has a wonderful purpose for our lives and will make sure to fulfill it by showing us the best path we should follow, and enabling us to enjoy His wonderful presence as we walk in the journey of life. HE is showing us everyday HIS wonderful ways and if we keep looking up and looking to HIM we will understand and enjoy the pleasures of living with the Almighty One from here until eternity.

Faithfulness of GOD

3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”
4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”
6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
- Genesis 20:3-7

Abimelech was a King who could have anything and everything he wished for. When he saw Sarah, he wanted to take her as his wife without knowledge that he was already married to Abraham. So GOD, as merciful and faithful that HE is, warned Abimelech in a dream that if he did take Sarah as his wife, would take it as a sin punishable not only to him but to all people in his kingdom. Abimelech fearing GOD, brought Sarah back to Abraham angry because he didn't want to sin against Almighty GOD.

Abraham failed GOD by deceiving Abimelech when he told her that Sarah was his sister. Abraham failed Sarah as a husband for not being man enough to stand up for her regardless of what may happen. He would rather give up his wife than fight for her and their love. But even with Abraham's failures, GOD was faithful to save not just Abraham and Sarah's marriage but great and merciful enouch to save the Gentile King Abimelech and his Kingdom from death. Regardless of our failures, GOD is faithful, let us continue to trust and put our faith in Him even when we feel we do not deserve HIS goodness.

True Humility

5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.
- Roamns 11:5-7

Who is faithful? Who is worthy? worthy of GOD's grace? No human, not one could ever be good enough deserving GOD's blessings. Even the chosen people of GOD were not faithful, and only a few were faithful because GOD made them too. It is by HIS grace a few of us who follow Yeshua could ever be faithful to HIM. It is never because we are able to be faithful, or are we capable to be faithful on our own for if it were so, we would not be needing the grace of GOD, each of us can start working and earning our salvation.

Many people who are religious, who try with their efforts and sacrifices to please GOD do not find GOD's favor. It is because their hearts are not right. They have pride in their hearts. How do we know we have fallen out of grace and fallen into pride? When we start to think that we are better than others because of what we do for GOD, or because we do a certain thing or believe something that others do not, this is already pride. Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee taught he was righteous and good because he is a pharisee, but the moment he started to judge the tax collector who did not even look up but beat his chest in sorrow because he was a sinner, was the moment the Pharisee fell from grace. We are all under GOD's grace, therefore none of us has the right to judge others regardless of their state or being. We may not be perfect, but we must possess true humility like the tax collector. The strength of true humility is finding favor in GOD's eyes.

Begining to the End

17 “But consider the joy of those corrected by God!
Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.
18 For though he wounds, he also bandages.
He strikes, but his hands also heal.
19 From six disasters he will rescue you;
even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.
20 He will save you from death in time of famine,
from the power of the sword in time of war.

- Job 5: 17-20

Discipline and correction are things that only come from people who care about you or love you. Nobody will waste their time correcting someone they don't care about. If you feel that you are going through a hard thing, look up for there is nothing that happens to you that GOD has not allowed. If you are being disciplined or corrected by your Heavenly Father, consider yourself special because you are loved by the Almighty One. We are all human imperfect in our nature, we go wrong and astray without even knowing it. But GOD's faithfulness can never go wrong, and if you belong to GOD and things seem to be going wrong, the LORD is not absent from it. The LORD knows every detail of our lives and HE is in full control.

Pain is present mostly in our lives, but pain is GOD's tool for us to be formed into His likeness. HE allows us to be wounded but HE will heal us in time because that is who HE is, HE is the merciful healer.  He will not leave you out in the open, to be devoured by His enemies, He will snatch you out from disasters and save you from death in a most troubled time. His faithful love will superceed the things going on around you. Even when you can't see it, you will see it in time and realize GOD's always been there. He never left your side. In hardship it is wise to reflect and remind yourself of who GOD is, by reading His word especially in the life of Job, because you will find HE is faithful from the very begining to the very end.

Faithful Even in the Worst

7 Then the Adversary went out from the presence of Adonai and struck Iyov down with horrible infected sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 He took a piece of a broken pot to scratch himself and sat down in the pile of ashes. 9 His wife asked him, “Why do you still hold on to your integrity? Curse God, and die!” 10 But he answered her, “You’re talking like a low-class woman! Are we to receive the good at God’s hands but reject the bad?” In all this Iyov did not say one sinful word.

At length, Iyov broke the silence and cursed the day of his [birth].

Job 2:7-10, 14

Job is one humble man that GOD is proud of, the LORD had boasted of Job to Satan the Adversary. GOD's faith in job was proven when Job lost everything but still never departing HIS faith in GOD. Even when he was sick with the most terrible of all disease yet wanting to die but still alive, he hadn't sinned against GOD by talking something against GOD. Even when he was alone in his faith, mocked by his own wife because of his faith, he had proven to be faithful to GOD. Job is a man who truly knew GOD, you can't have faith on someone you don't know. Job is a man who didn't just have religion, he was a man who had an intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

Are we like Job? If our worst fears came to pass in our lives, what would we do? Should we curse GOD and die? Should we lose our faith in GOD and deny Him because He hasn't been good to us as we thought He should be? It is only natural to wish for death, and it is probably the most humble reaction for anyone experiencing great tragedies in their lives, it's to wish for death. When we are soaked up in our troubles, we need to look back at Job's life... every man in the Bible has had their share of troubles and hardships, but because our GOD is a faithful GOD, every trial will come to pass and soon we will overpass those tragedies in our lives. Even when it seems dark and cloudy now, there is light ahead. GOD is our salvation and HE will carry us through, we just need to hold on to HIS love. If persevere to be faithful to GOD even in the worst times, like Job's life, GOD will prove Himself faithful to us in the end.