Have you ever reached the end of your rope? Maybe you wanted to tell someone, but have bottled it up until you just can’t hold it in any longer. Finally, you burst out, “I need help.” You aren’t alone. It’s ok to share what is going on in our lives. And it’s also good to help your brother in times of crisis. The Apostle Paul writes in the Book of Colossians:
“And so, as those who have been chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience bearing with one another and forgiving each other. . .” Colossians 3:12-13
Though in recognizing any low point in our life should we take on a spirit of victimhood (a spirit without faith)? I believe the answer is no. The story found in Luke 21 provides an example of a widow who gives up her last two small coins. Why would she do this? Is she drawing attention to herself to be a victim? Absolutely not. I believe she moved out in faith expecting to Enter the riches of the Living God! Hallelujah. For when we recognize our weakness, Yahweh is greater!
But is there something more? In looking at this story, we must consider the context and words around the example. Just before the story of the widow we read:
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.”
Luke 20:46-47
Why would Yehsua share this information about the leaders just before talking about the widow? I don’t believe He was talking about how to help the poor with funds. Instead, I believe Yeshua is making a comparison of faith so that we can learn how to enter into the workings of the Messiah. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” is not just a saying from Yeshua, but a reality in the spiritual Kingdom, for in this case, the religious leaders of the day are unable to enter into the Kingdom due to their piety. Whereas, the woman can come into the kingdom due to her faith.
But, as we read on in Luke 21, Yeshua speaks out again reminding the Jewish leadership of the day that their works (that of beautiful stones and votive gifts) will not be left standing. Notice the widow’s story is now sandwiched between two pointed accusations towards the religious leadership. The first is their piety and evil desires to plunder. The second is their works.
I think the widow gave in faith despite the crooked leadership that surrounded her. She made a holy vow to YHWH and in turn allowed YHWH to deal with the evilness of men. She gave from the depths of her heart. . . everything she had to live on while others gave only from their surplus.
Speaking further, Yeshua declares the coming of days when the Nation will rise against the Nation and the persecution that will follow. However here is another key point.
“For all of this will lead to an opportunity for testimony.”
Ask yourself, “What will be my testimony? Does my pride hinder my testimony?”
What is the law? Moses tells us the law is life.
What is the testimony of Yeshua? The Father of Heaven, Moses, the prophets, and the apostles tell us the testimony of the Messiah is His workings of salvation and redemption. So, if I only promote my false works like the Jewish leadership mentioned in Luke, can I truly give an honest testimony of my restoration?
Did you know that you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in the Messiah?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” Ephesians 1:3
Are you ready to claim spiritual blessings, even when things look dark? Are you this poor woman who made her proclamation of faith? If so, consider again what Moses asked Israel to do when they were to enter the new land.
“Bring the first of you produce to the priest to be offered up to YHWH to establish His Name.” Deuteronomy 26:1-4
I wonder what would happen in our lives if we started to practice this method of thankfulness right now. Are we thanking Him with everything we have?
Yes, we have not entered the land of the New Kingdom yet. But through the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, we have been offered a new life through Him. So let us offer our first fruits and declare Yah’s Name in the new landscape of our spirit who has found love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.
Some of you have already experienced the Feast of Trumpets, while others are still waiting to celebrate. What is this exactly, and what comparison does it have to “entering into the land?”
In the Feast of Trumpets, the trumpets are blown to gather God’s people to the fall feasts of YHWH. It is to rouse us to repentance and prepare us to coronate King Yeshua, who will be accompanied by the sound of trumpets upon His return. (Zechariah 9:14)
The blowing of the trumpets on the first day of the month heralded a solemn time of preparation for the Day of Atonement; this preparation time was called “Ten Days of Repentance” or the “Days of Awe.” The trumpet sound was an alarm of sorts and can be understood as a call to introspection and repentance. Are there things we need to repent from? Our Torah section talks about the curses we bring upon ourselves when we make vows to other gods and their way of working. It’s time to cut these ties before the King arrives.
The prophets linked the blowing of trumpets to the future Day of Judgment: “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand” (Joel 2:1; see also Zephaniah 1:14, 16).
In the New Testament, we see that the Lord’s Second Coming will be accompanied by the sound of a trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Each of the judgments in Revelation 8-9 is also signaled by a trumpet. Just as the shofar called Israel to turn their attention to the Lord and ready themselves for the Day of Atonement, so will the “trump of YHWH” call us and warn the world of coming judgment. Are you ready?
I believe that if we claim our “Sonship” in Yah, cover ourselves in the mantle of the Messiah, repent of our sins, and start walking in His revelation—recalling our journey of victory over bondage, we will have faith to give Him our entire heart, soul, and mind. Yes, we will cry out at times but, He will listen.
Be Blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn