Exhortation Station

1 Corinthians 5:7,8 — “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Messiah our Passover also has been sacrificed. ⁸ Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 

1 Corinthians 15:19-23 — “If we have hoped in Messiah in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. ²⁰ But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. ²¹ For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah all will be made alive. ²³ But each in his own order: Messiah the first fruits, after that those who are Messiah’s at His coming…”

Praise Yahweh for the unblemished Lamb, Yahshua Messiah, which He provided to wash away our sins.  Praise Yahweh for Yahshua, the first fruits of those resurrected from the dead.  Praise Yahweh that one day we too will be resurrected.  Hallelujah!  As we wrap up this season of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits, may He show us how to walk in ever-increasing sincerity and truth before Him.

I’d like to share some thoughts pertaining to the times we’re living in.  These times certainly are remarkable.  Just over a month ago, a tornado swept through part of Tennessee, destroying many homes very near where I go to school.  Now, with the COVID-19 virus, college classes are going online, businesses are shutting down, and social distancing is the way of operating.  How do we learn to cope with this ever-changing situation?  In this post, I’d like to share some thoughts that, I hope, will help us as we walk through this.  My first point is as follows:

1) Stand on the unshakable things

There is certainly a lot of uncertainty in the air right now.  We’re being confronted with many “what ifs.”  What if I lose my job?  What if a family member or friend catches the virus?  What if school shuts down completely and I can’t graduate on time?  How long will the economic impact last?  How do I make right use of my time?  In the midst of all these “what ifs,” we must remember that certain things will not be shaken. 

Psalm 46:1-3 — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea…”

Psalm 100:3 — “Know that YHWH Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

Proverbs 18:10,11 — “The name of YHWH is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe. ¹¹ A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination.”

Yahweh made us.  We are His people.  He loves us; He cares for us; He is our refuge; He is our strength.  There are no “what ifs” about this.  Will we place our identity in earthly riches, or will we run to the name of YHWH?  I mentioned before that these are times of uncertainty…but is there really ever a time of certainty?  According to the book of James, “you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.” (James 4:14)  May this unique season be a reminder for us to place our identity in unshakable things, not only in the presence of this virus, but in all circumstances.

2) Yahweh looks for a contrite heart

In times of difficulty, we often hear statements such as, “we can do this!” and “together we can stand strong!”  While there is certainly a place for statements such as these, it is important that we temper our thoughts and words with humility and contrition before the Father.  In Isaiah 9:8-13, Yahweh rebuked Ephraim for arrogantly saying, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones,” all the while neglecting to seek Him.  While there is a time for rebuilding, true restoration can only happen after thorough, from-the-heart repentance has taken place. 

Isaiah 26:9 says, “At night my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness...”  It seems Yah’s judgment is upon the earth right now.  In His mercy, He has given humanity a special opportunity to wake up and seek Him.  Yah’s judgment calls for contrition.  Isaiah 57:15 says, “For this is what the high and exalted One says — He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'”  May we remember that Yahweh dwells with the contrite of heart. 

3) Find a way to sow seeds

In this interesting season, we’re being faced with many decisions regarding our use of time.  Many may be experiencing unanticipated free time.  Many may have had plans that have now been significantly altered or canceled altogether.  When our normal routine is altered, it can be challenging to figure out how to move forward in a productive manner.  Even with things such as ministry, many may find they are unable to minister in the way they are used to because of social distancing.  How, then, do we continue to live in meaningful ways?  This is a loaded question.  Though I cannot say exactly how each person should respond — that is between you and the Father — I think we will do well to remember this truth: “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”  

Though we may not currently be able to sow seeds in the way we’re used to, there are still ways to sow seeds of blessing, truth, and hope in people around us.  Simply calling up a friend to see how he/she is doing can go a long way.  The beauty of sowing eternal seeds is that the reward is certain — set in stone.  If we keep this in mind, I believe it will go a long way in giving us purpose and meaning in this season — in all seasons, for that matter.

4) Remember that “normal” never comes

A man I know who sends out a monthly newsletter recently shared, in his letter, some quotes from C. S. Lewis’ “Learning in Wartime,” a sermon which given at the start of WWII in 1939.  Though I am not well-versed in C. S. Lewis’ works and don’t claim to agree with him on all points, I think the following quote from his sermon contains some excellent insights.  Lewis says,

“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.” (1, p. 10)

This quote hits close to home for me.  I admit that it is easy to always be waiting for “favorable conditions” to come before I really get down to pursuing the Father with all my heart and loving my neighbor as myself.  Are we continually waiting for the “next big hurdle” to end before we focus on eternal things?  As we deal with COVID-19, it’s apparent that things are not normal…but is life really ever “normal?”  There is always another difficulty — another busy season — another non-ideal condition that, if we allow it, can keep us from pursuing the things that matter most.  Let’s remember to keep our priorities where they need to be.

I’d like to conclude with this final point:

5) Wait for Yahweh and have hope

Earlier today Dad shared with me Psalm 46:10 — “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  What an awesome reminder to stop and rest in Yah.  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for YHWH; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for YHWH.”  

Another favorite of mine is Philippians 4:6,7 — “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yahshua.”

Finally, Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  Hallelujah!  Though the present situation may be challenging, we have reason to hope.  If these times are tough, let them be a reminder of how unspeakably awesome the coming glory will be.

There are many lessons we can learn during this unique time.  Let’s make it a goal to be changed as we walk this out.  Let’s make it a goal to be different people on the other side of this — people more firmly rooted in our Maker.  Though the fear of Yahweh won’t keep us from facing valleys, it will give us sure footing as we walk through them.  My hope is that, as we wrap up the spring feast season, we will move forward into the new Biblical year well-grounded in Him, with a firm footing and fresh start.

(Bible passages NASB; Hebrew transl. and emphasis added.)

Resources:

1. Lewis, C. S., 1939. Learning in War-Time. [online] https://bradleyggreen.com/attachments/Lewis.Learning%20in%20War-Time.pdf