Two Modern Women of Faith
Summary
Inspiration and encouragement from the very different journeys of two modern women
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Philippians 4:12-13
“I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment – both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need. I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.”
According to the Word of God, we can do all things through Messiah who strengthens us. The Word of God is true, trustworthy, and able to renew the human mind, therefore, when it says that we can do all things through Messiah who gives us strength, then this means that we, as followers of Yeshua the Messiah, have this strength available to us to go through every single day of our lives. If this was not the case, then it would not have been written in God’s Word.
This strength, that enables us to face every moment that presents itself to us on any given day, is available through Messiah and Messiah alone. Again, the secret to being content in all situations, to experiencing the shalom that surpasses our understanding, to rejoice always, to walk in a manner worthy of the Good News of Messiah in midst of dark and trying times, to focus our thoughts on things above and not the things of the world, to have the strength to be able to do all things, is available to us by having an intimate relationship with Yeshua the Messiah!
Yeshua says, “I am the vine, you are the branches, the one who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Abiding in Yeshua is the secret to a successful life as children of God. It is the only way for our lives to experience the glorious, life giving, fruits of the Holy Spirit in any and all circumstances. Let us abide in the vine, Yeshua the Messiah, and only then will we find the strength to do all things for today, all the while producing the good fruit that comes from a life in God.
The Word of God is alive and active, speaking truth into our lives, helping us establish a firm foundation to stand on while we go through life on this side of eternity. Please take some time to quietly meditate on the passages above and ask yourself these three questions.
1: What truth is being spoken in these passages?
2: What does this mean for me?
3: How should I respond?
Philippians 4:4-9
“Rejoice in the Lord always – again I will say, rejoice!”
Beholding the Lord and having your heart be transformed by the reality of who He is, is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and life changing aspects of life. If we want our lives to be transformed into the likeness of Yeshua our Messiah, if we desire to be strong in our faith and be able to rejoice in the Lord always, in all circumstances, then we must give ourselves time to sit at His feet and meditate on His Word. Right now, go to a quiet place where you can meditate on the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you. As you read and pray through the passages below, ask yourself these three questions:
1: What truth is being spoken in these passages?
2: What does this mean for me?
3: How should I respond?
Now, read through the passages below in Philippians, meditate on them, and ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind as you read the Word of God. My prayer is that, by the end of your time, your mind will be renewed, your heart fully encouraged, and “the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Messiah Yeshua.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always – again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything – but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise – dwell on these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – put these things into practice, and the God of shalom will be with you.”
—Philippians 4:4-9
Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? By God’s miraculous hand, yes.
Isaiah 66:8 prophesied the miraculous, overnight rebirth of Israel as a nation. On May 14, 1948, it came true.
The Zionist Movement, however, was active for decades before then. Jewish people around the globe stirred with a passion for returning to the Land God had given them in His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The cause gained support from various governments and officials. The region that was once Israel had been under British rule since 1922, for the purpose of establishing a Jewish homeland, but progress was slow. The Brits had repeatedly tried to reach an agreement between Arab and Jewish people living in the region known as “Palestine.”
After World War II, shocked by Nazi Germany’s cruelty toward the Jewish people and the attempt to exterminate them, world sympathy grew toward the Jewish plea for a homeland. In early 1947, Britain turned the matter of a Jewish state over to the United Nations, who conceived a two-state Partition Plan for the Jewish and Arab people living in the Land.
On the date that the British governance of the Palestinian region expired – May 14, 1948 – Israel proclaimed her sovereign independence. A nation was born in a day. It was a miracle.
Surrounding Arab nations attacked Israel the next day, and the full-fledged War of Independence ensued. During it, God performed spectacular miracles to ensure the fulfillment of His prophecy would stand. One of those miracles happened to Gershon Salomon.
Gershon led 150 men up the Golan Heights into the face of thousands of Syrian troops. The young Israeli officer was seriously injured when a military tank ran over him. Separated from his men, Gerson lay alone in a field, in the dark. Paralyzed and helpless, he watched as a Syrian unit came directly toward him.
At that critical moment, “I saw a light coming from heaven and covering the whole area where I laid,” he told the story later. “I could hear God speaking to my heart, ‘Gershon, you will see the miracle that I will perform.’”
Just then, the Syrian soldiers turned around and hurried back into the mountains.
Two months later, as Gershon lay recovering in a hospital, he heard a United Nations official describe an astounding story: a Syrian unit claimed they’d been terrified into retreat when they saw angels protecting an Israeli officer lying on the battlefield.
Gershon confirmed the story to a doctor who was so awed that he took out a Bible and read aloud from Zechariah 14:3, “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights on a day of battle.”
Throughout the year-long war, Israel’s army of volunteers fought for the Jewish State’s freedom, winning many remarkable triumphs, and undeniable miracles. Eventually, such victories forced the enemies of Israel to the negotiating table for a series of agreements, ending the war.
With God’s supernatural assistance, Israel had successfully defended her right to exist. The “nation born in a day” by His miraculous hand had survived by His miracles too.
“Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her sons” (Isaiah 66:8).
On the Hebrew calendar, Israel’s Independence Day is the 5th day of the month of Iyar. Thus, it falls differently on the Gregorian calendar each year. Known as Yom HaAtzmaut in Hebrew, Israel’s Independence Day 2020 begins at sundown Tuesday, April 28 and ends at sunset on the 29th.
Before she celebrates her freedom, Israel honors those who died earning and keeping it for her. Israel observes a Memorial Day, called Yom HaZikaron, on the day before Yom HaAtzmaut. With the Jewish day beginning at sunset, Independence festivities follow immediately after a day of mourning for those who have lost their lives defending Israel’s freedom.
(Gershon Salomon story source: The Miracle of Israel, booklet)
How many of us mourn on our nation’s Memorial Day? For most of us, the losses sustained in winning or defending our country’s freedom are something distant, removed from us by time or geography. Or compared to the vastness of our population, the number of people directly affected are relatively few.
For example, in America, because our Memorial Day occurs the last Monday of May, it has also come to symbolize the start of summer, leading much of the country toward recreation or rest rather than memorial activities.
But for Israel, it’s different.
In Israel, a country the size of New Jersey, it seems nearly everyone either is or knows someone directly affected by a military loss or terrorism. Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, is an active, relevant holiday.
Enemies of Israel continue to threaten her right to exist. Iran wants her exterminated, as do various Arab terrorist groups. Immediate neighbors in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon are home to terrorist groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah that continue to plan war and small-scale attacks in hopes of crippling and someday destroying Israel.
Life goes on as usual in Israel – business, education, social gatherings, weddings and funerals continue – but through it all, Israel’s enemies are planning their next terrorist attack, rocket barrage or propaganda campaign hoping to turn the world against her. Israeli soldiers die on home soil, targeted by random attacks or while defending against border breaches by those who seek to do her harm.
So, when it comes to a day set aside to honor the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, Israel takes it to heart. Television and radio stations run through names of the thousands who have fallen in Israel’s wars or by terrorism, both military and civilian. Crowds of mourners visit military cemeteries and the graves of soldiers, showing their respect, weeping and solemnly praying. Strangers visit the burial sites of lone soldiers – those without family in Israel – to ensure that no soldier goes unmourned, no life or sacrifice is overlooked.
Two sirens sound on Yom HaZikaron. The first marks the beginning of the Memorial Day, in the evening. The second occurs on the day of commemoration, signaling the reading of public prayers. The blasts are two minutes long, and for that time, all Israel stands still. Traffic, commerce, everything stops, and Israel stands in silence to honor the fallen.
We stand with Israel as she remembers those who lost their lives for the sake of her safety and freedom.
Yom HaZikaron 2020 begins at sunset on Monday, April 27 and ends at sundown April 28 when the national focus shifts from grief to celebration on Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Before Israel rejoices in her freedom, she honors those who died to provide and sustain it.
Philippians 1:6
“I am SURE of this very thing – that He who began a GOOD work in you WILL carry it on to COMPLETION until the Day of Messiah Yeshua”
It is easy for the human heart to get discouraged during times of trial, and to feel as though the difficult circumstances surrounding us are somehow hindering the work of God in our lives. However, the Scriptures paint a different reality in that, despite these circumstances, God is there completing the good work He has faithfully started in our lives. We may not understand how these trials can possibly fit into God’s plans, or how this is part of Him completing the good work He began in us, but we can rest assured that what is written in His Word is true and reliable.
God promises us that “all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28). God also promises us in Proverbs 16:9 that “the heart of man plans his course, but Adonai directs his steps.” These Scriptures should awaken in us an incredible sense of assurance in God’s faithfulness towards us who believe and bring a certain level of hope and encouragement to our hearts. He is the good and faithful Shepherd of our lives, He will never leave us nor forsake us, can be trusted throughout every circumstance, and is the one who began the good work in us and will carry it on to completion. Yes, even now in the midst of this trial, He is completing the work He has started in us all.
The Word of God is alive and active, speaking truth into our lives, helping us establish a firm foundation to stand on while we go through life on this side of eternity. Please take some time to quietly meditate on the passages above and ask yourself these three questions.
1: What truth is being spoken in these passages?
2: What does this mean for me?
3: How should I respond?
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. —James 1:12
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. —James 5:11
As the last day of this journey into the book of James comes to a close, I want to draw your attention to these two verses in James where he proclaims blessings for those who have persevered. The coronavirus is an invisible enemy and it takes all of us to do our part to follow the guidelines and stay healthy and safe. We will persevere and we will come out stronger on the other side.
The word, “persevere” used in both verses, is the Greek word, ‘hypomeno.’ One of the translations of this word is to remain, specifically to persevere under misfortunes and trials and to hold fast to one’s faith in Jesus and to endure bravely and calmly. I hope and pray that out of this season comes a strong army of Believers who held fast to Jesus and who endured bravely and calmly. What an amazing testimony that would be to the world around us of the unshakeable faith in Messiah.
The beginning of James 5:11 says “we count as blessed” and this translates to the Greek word, ‘makarizo,– interestingly, this word is only used twice in the entire Bible! The only other time it is used is in Luke 1:48, where Mary says, ‘all generations will call me blessed.’ This was right after Mary found out she was going to give birth to Jesus. What great company we are in that when we endure and persevere, we will be blessed in this same way.
Not only will we be blessed, but James 1:12 states that for those who withstand the trial, they will receive the crown of life. This crown is translated as a mark of righteousness given to genuine servants of Jesus. There are many in the Bible who withstood many trials, from Moses and Abraham to Peter and Paul. James specifically mentions Job, who is a great example as he endured many trials. Our lives may feel like the book of Job right now! The word in Greek used to describe Job’s endurance can be translated as patient endurance, steadfastness, and constancy. I pray those are the characteristics each of us develop during this time.
James 5 reminds us of a great promise we can cling to during these times: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. As I’ve mentioned many times this week, the Lord doesn’t change. Our circumstances may be changing constantly but the Lord remains the same. He is loving and kind, merciful and full of grace. He hasn’t forgotten you and He knows exactly what You are going through. Hold fast to His promises and endure this trial along with Him knowing you will be blessed.
Practical Takeaway: Write down the characteristics you want to display to the world during this season and ask the Lord to help you develop these so you can proclaim His name to those around you.
Ethiopia is on our hearts right now, especially as COVID-19 is devastating countries all over the globe. As one of the key nations in which we minister in Africa, we long for the Kingdom of Light to come in greater measure to this country. Would you join us in praying for Ethiopia, the nation and its people?
Please also pray for Jewish Voice’s work there and for those we minister to and with whom we partner. There is a complex interplay of many social, economic, tribal and religious issues in this land. Our prayers CAN make a difference!
Please pray for:
Let’s pray:
Father, please shine the light of the Good News and hope of Yeshua in Ethiopia right now. The threat of COVID-19 looms; there are dark predictions about the economy, and even the locusts are creating literal clouds of darkness. Oh Lord, You are the One who can break through every hardship, including the opposition of those who try to snuff out the Gospel’s light. Please, help, heal and save Ethiopia now! You are their Light, their true hope and salvation. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.
