"Upon His Path, is Found Peace"

It is a true, though regrettable fact, human pride, love of sin, and from the influence of dark spiritual forces keep many faithful walking the lost and lonely path of sinful destruction, preventing themselves from discovering and joyously living a life of peace and of blessing through obedience to Elohim (G-d). As well, a great many spiritually hungry think that coming to faith in Y’shua and living a life of obedience to Elohim are supposed to make all the trials and tribulations of life magically vanish. Yehoshua did not make such a promise. Moreover, Yehoshua assured us that in this life we will experience many troubles and face a great many trials. He Himself was persecuted, as were His disciples as well as His followers.

Despite this grim possibility, we need not be discouraged. We can be of good spirit and joyful in Hashem (our L-rd), for He has overcome the world and in His loving sacrifice, He has paved our path in obedience with eternal life through the forgiveness of our transgressions. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (Book of Yochanan/John 16:33) We making a deliberate choice to obey the commandments of Elohei Tehillati (The G-d of my praise) in amidst times of difficulty and trial is not always easy, especially when the whole world seems to be going in the opposite direction.

Swimming mightily against the tide can take a great deal of exertion and extreme determination.... whether for spawning salmon or for people desiring to live a a more righteous and obedient life. It takes tremendous to swim against the tides. So much as making a simple choice to obey Eloheinu (our G-d) can be excruciatingly difficult. Yehoshua experienced something similar in the Garden of Gethsemane when facing the choice to submit to His Father even on to the point of death on the tree. It was here, in the dark valley of decision that the battle was won, in Yehoshua's resignation, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” - (Book of Lukos/Luke 22:42) This decision was so very agonizing for Yehoshua, that He seemed to sweat drops of blood: “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Book of Lukos/Luke 22:44)

We may not actually sweat drops of blood, though we shall at some point certainly come to a crossroad in our lives where we must also decide whether to obey the will of Elohei Ma’uzzi (the G-d of my strength) or to choose our own will above His.... and the repercussions may seem beyond our ability to bear. However, Elohim has promised that His grace is sufficient for us in every circumstance. Choosing to obey Elohei Chasdi (the G-d of my kindness) will lead to loving favor and blessing; however, we may not receive the fullness of our reward until His Kingdom come. For this reason alone, we must always live within the eternal perspective, not allowing the trials of life to weaken us in faith. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the L-rd hath promised to them that love him.” - (Book of Ya'akov/James 1:12)

“For thou art an holy people unto the L-RD thy G-d, and the L-RD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 14:2) This parasha emphasizes the path of blessing which includes denying false gods and false prophets. All elements of pagan worship must be purged from our daily life so that we may be the holy people which Elohei Marom (The G-d of heights) has called us to be. The narrow way described in Re’eh includes Elohei Mishpat’s (The G-d of Justice) commandments regarding the consumption of clean and unclean animals: “Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.” (Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 14:3)

Although many Faithful consider these dietary commands abolished, Yehoshua, devout Jew that he was, did not support this kind of thinking, Yehoshua lived the life of an obedient Jew. He made this astounding statement:” Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Book of Matti/Matthew 5:17–19)

The path of blessing also includes giving tithes to the Levites (Priests), who were dependent on the people for their livelihood in consideration of their calling to lead, to shepherd: “And the Levite [Priests] that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.” (Book of D'vrim/Deuteronomy 14:27)

It is also true generosity toward the poor and downtrodden are also important. Elohim said we are to open our hand and our heart to give to the poor in our land, “ If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the L-RD thy G-d giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. (Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 15:7–8) Prosperity and financial blessings are not simply the result of working hard. Prosperity is also not promised to us, we know this as the Faithful.

Prosperity is dependent upon exercising of the principles of faith of sowing and reaping. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Book of Lukos/Luke 6:38). Elohim will bless us as we sow generous seeds in giving to the poor and to His faithful servants. “Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the L-RD thy G-d shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.” (Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 15:10)

We are given the ability of choice each day upon this mortal coil towards the Path to Eternal Life. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 53:5)

One of the most important choices each one of us must make is whether or not to receive Yehoshua the Anonited One as the atonement for all of our transgressions and to choose through Him to receive eternal life. Our Messianic redemption (liberation / salvation / entrance into eternal life) is not something that we simply read about or hear from the alter. It is a not-so-distant reality. At the time of Yehoshua's return, He shall come on the clouds and every eye will see from the same root as the imperative to see or behold Him. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Book of Hhazon/Revelation 1:7)

This New Covenant Scripture regarding the return of The Anointed One is founded on several Messianic prophecies in which the Hebrew prophets also foresee Elohim coming with the clouds: “The burden of Egypt. Behold, the L-RD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.” (Book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 19:1)

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” (Book of Daniyyel/Daniel 7:13) One day, we will all see Ben Elohim (the Son of G-d) coming on the clouds with great power and glory! Until that glorious day comes, may we choose to faithfully and diligently walk on the path of blessing, keeping His commandments… “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of G-d, and keep it.” (Book of Lukos/Luke 11:28)

We rise in faith, journey in faith and draw others into faith, so that we may have peace.

Pastor Mark