To the faint of heart
Today's Encouragement
Let me start by saying this: You've likely heard me say it before, but it's true and dear to my heart: "Don't long for what Elohim has freed you from, simply because the path to where He's taking you is difficult. Yahuah makes a way where there seems to be none, and what He's doing in our hearts along the way is just as important as the destination. TRUST IN HIM."
Many of you might be going through a rough patch right now. You feel like you're giving it your all, but there's no progress. It may seem like Yah isn't working in your life, or that He doesn't care about your pain. But knowing His character, that's simply not true.
Let's take a closer look at some verses that reveal the promises and character of Yah, His word, and His blessed assurance. Ecclesiasticus Chapter 2: 1-18 is a great place to start. I encourage you to read the whole chapter, but for now, here are a few key verses:
● "Set your heart right, and constantly endure. and do not haste in times of trouble.
● "CLEAVE unto him (Hold onto him for dear life) and depart not away, that you may
increase at your last end.
● "Whatever challenges come your way, accept them cheerfully. Be patient when you're
going through a tough time. Remember, gold is purified by fire, and worthy people are
refined by adversity. (There's a greater purpose in it all.)
● "Believe in Him, and He will help you. Order your way aright and trust in Him."
His word essentially says this: in verse 9 If you fear Him, you'll wait for His mercy and not stray from Him. If you fear Him, believe in Him, and your reward is certain. If you fear Him, have faith and hope for everlasting joy and mercy. Here's verse 10, which is my favorite: "Look at the generations of old and see; has anyone who trusted in Yahuah ever been put to shame? Has anyone who remained in fear of Him ever been forsaken? Has He ever rejected anyone who called on Him?"
Can you read this and not feel your heart overflowing? Can you read this and not understand His faithfulness and what He asks of us? "O you of little faith, why do you doubt?" Verse 11 goes on to say: "Yahuah is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful (Yes, incredibly pitiful! Just like a parent cares for their child, how much more does our Creator?). He forgives sins and saves in times of trouble."
Now, let's turn to Matthew chapter 7:11. "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?"
We've examined these verses, gaining a glimpse of Yah's character: His faithfulness, love, and compassion. How can you truly trust Him if you don't know Him or understand His character? How can you trust Him if you've already decided He won't come through for you, or that He doesn't care enough in this situation because it seems too big? Yahuah is faithful and always keeps His promises, His word. But you also have a part to play: maintaining your faith and knowing His promises, His blessed assurance. Who are we to limit Him? Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of Elohim, and the expanse reveals His handiwork." 2 Chronicles 16:9: "For the eyes of Yahuah range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." How committed are you to Yahuah? Does your heart trust in Him? Do you have faith?
Matthew chapter 17:20 "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
I want you all to listen to me very carefully. My heart breaks and my spirit grieves knowing that throughout time the world has blasphemed Elohim, bringing Yah down and making him in our image (meaning according to how we perceive him to be, or how strong we think he is). This should not be so. The Elohim of Yasharel, the Elohim of your life, is much greater than we can fathom; we can't even scratch the surface.
Isaiah 26: 3-4 says, 'Open the gates, that the righteous nation which guards the truth may enter in. You will guard him in perfect peace, whose mind stays on you: because he trusts you. Trust in
YAHUAH forever, for in Yah Yahuah is everlasting strength.' Read His Torah, study to show yourselves approved. Go into the secret place, make your requests known to him, and don't doubt. Wait, listen, and have faith.
Jeremiah 17:5 says, 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from Elohim.' Proverbs 3:5-6 says, 'Trust in Yahuah with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' Lastly, I just wanted to emphasize that you can't trust or love someone you don't know or talk to. Turn to him with all that you have. Jeremiah 31:3 says, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.' Be blessed.
~Elisheva
