Day Six
When using something over a long period of time, it can wear out and parts can break. Branon Dempsey, the author of the original reading plan, tells us, as an example, that in being a worship leader, he owns a variety of microphone, guitar, and music stands. As much as he loves his equipment, they are susceptible to wear and tear.
His favourite go-to microphone stand has unique pivot extensions and locking features. However, there is one key turn screw that has stripped out. He has to position the mike in such a way, that the extension arm does not roll over, thus, causing the mike to dip down. He loves working with this stand, but due to its worn-out mechanism, it is a nuisance.
Life can be very similar, as in the allegory of working tools. All things seem to go great for a while until heartbreak occurs. So, what do you do when your best tool fails? Do you allow it to limit you, hinder your joy, and cause grief? Do you feel as if you cannot carry on? Or, do you just fix it?
It seems like David is in constant need of repair. He is up one minute and down the next. He is happy; he is sad. He is a roller-coaster of emotions. You look at his life and think: “Man, this guy had so much heartbreak.” At times I wonder, how did the people in the Scriptures get through it? All these whimsical rides of emotions and array of scenarios, as we see in David, the navi'iym, the talmidiym, and even in Yahusha. But have you ever asked the question just why did Yah have these events recorded in the Sacred Scriptures?
I believe Yah put these wide experiences and ranges of emotions in Scripture so we can learn and identify with them. We, too, are often like David, and other Scriptural characters, yet Yah still teaches us His Love. Through the power of His Word and through Ruach HaQodesh we receive His comfort, direction, and help.
Tehillah 119:50 says: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me.”
We see the same Scriptural reality of those turning to Yah’s Word for comfort.
The prophets declare in Iyov 6:10, “Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” – Iyov 6:10 ( את CEPHER) and Yesha’yahu 50:4 “to speak a word in season to him that is weary.”
We even see Yahusha in Mattithyahu 4:4, “... Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahuah.”
And, let’s not forget Pa’al in Romaiym 10:8 “But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;”
In every page of the Sacred Scriptures, there is are individuals turning to Yah’s Word, longing for His truth, seeking His wisdom, and anticipating the return of His comfort. We wear out and may become broken, but we are never without the Word of Yah. He replaces each fragmented mechanism and repairs each worn-out part.
My favourite chapter in the Cepher Tehilliym is none-other than the grand and famous chapter of Tehillah 119.
This celebrated Tehillah has several remarkable characteristics. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. Its contents are mainly praises of Yah's Word, exhortations to its perusal and reverence for it, prayers for its proper influence, and complaints of the wicked for despising it.
Tehillah 119 may be considered as a life-span of a believer's experience. The mountaintop views and valley lows expressed come from the influences of the Qodesh Ruach. The pardoning mercy of Yah through Mashiach is the only source of comfort to the sinner’s heart.
Our happiness stems from Yah’s established grace and forgiveness. We believe in Yah’s testimonies and depend upon His promises. When we become damaged and cry out to Yahuah, He hears, saves, and restores us.
We take on comfort in Yahuah as the Word of Yah speaks comfort in our affliction. Through Yah’s grace, we are sustained and strengthened. Through His love, He makes use of each discomfort to make us more like Him.
“I remembered your judgments of old, O Yahuah; and have comforted myself.” – Tehillah 119:52 ( את CEPHER)
I’m not a huge fan of the phrase: “God never gives us more than we can handle.” Though this observation is relative, it is not found directly in the Bible. Instead, I prefer the Tehillah 103:14 that states: “For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” It is certain that we are human, and it is certain that He knows our capabilities.
Our plea is in His truth: “O Adonai, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my ruach: so will you recover me, and make me to live.” (Yesha’yahu 38:16 את CEPHER)
We should be assured that we have and believe in His divine Torah. We are met by His grace and nothing else will prevail. The seal of His Qodesh Ruach will never be broken. Yah’s blessings of comfort and encouragement are still the same. In every season of affliction, in every silent hour of the night, He recalls our being and knows how to revive our souls.
Reflection:
When were the moments in your life when something was broken?
How did you feel about asking Yah to fix it, even if you had asked him several times before?
Give this some more thought before answering. What do you think of the idea that prayers of asking are not only to get answers but to also draw you closer in relationship with God?
It becomes less about the item you are praying for and more about knowing the Elohiym to whom you are praying.
Prayer:
Instead of me writing a prayer to follow, try reciting Tehillah 119:33-40 as your own prayer. Allow the words, phrases, and imagery to sink into your soul. Don’t rush the reading. Take your time with each stanza. Listen to what the Qadosh Ruach says, then respond to Yah from what you read. In the end, see if it changes the way you pray. Use your own words to offer yourself to Yah. Let this be a time of humble submission and honest inquiry.
33 Teach me, O Yahuah, the way of your statutes; and I shall guard it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall guard your Torah; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of your commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in your way.
38 Stablish your word unto your servant, who is devoted to your fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after your precepts: quicken me in your righteousness.
Tehillah 119:39-40 את CEPHER
Scripture quotes:
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me.”
- Tehillah 119:50 את CEPHER
“When I have trouble, your promise gives me peace in my mind. It makes my life strong again.”
- Psalms 119:50 EASY
"Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One."
- IYOV (JOB) 6:10 את CEPHER
"I have had much pain. But I know that God is holy . And I have always done what he has told me to do. So, because I know that, I am ready to die.”
- Job 6:10 EASY.
“Adonai Yahuah has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as the learned.”
- Yesha’yahu 50:4 את CEPHER.
“The Lord God has given his message to me, his servant. I speak it on his behalf. I know what to say to help weak and tired people. The Lord wakes me up every morning so that I can learn something. I listen carefully to him, as a student listens to his teacher.”
- Isaiah 50:4 EASY.
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahuah.”
- Mattityahu 4:4 את CEPHER.
“But Jesus replied, ‘No! The Bible says that food alone cannot cause people to live. They need to hear every word that God speaks. Then they can really live.’”
- Matthew 4:4 EASY.
“But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;”
- Romaiym 10:8 את CEPHER.
“But the Bible says: ‘God's message is near you. You can talk about it, and you can think about it.’ That is the same message that we are teaching to people. We tell people to believe in Jesus Christ.”
- Romans 10:8 EASY.
“I remembered your judgments of old, O Yahuah; and have comforted myself.”
- Tehillah 119:52 את CEPHER.
“Lord , I remember the rules that you made long ago. When I do that, I feel better.”
- Psalms 119:52 EASY.
“Teach me, O Yahuah, the way of your statutes; and I shall guard it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall guard your Torah; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of your commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in your way. Stablish your word unto your servant, who is devoted to your fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for your judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after your precepts: quicken me in your righteousness.”
- Tehillah 119:33-40 את CEPHER
“Lord , help me to understand your teaching . Then I will always obey it. Explain your Law to me, then I will obey it. I will always love to do what it says. Help me to live in a way that respects your commands . That is what makes me very happy. Help me to love your rules. That is better for me than riches . Turn my eyes away from useless things. Use your word to help me to live. I am your servant. Please do what you have promised to do. You have promised to bless anyone who respects you. I am afraid when people insult me. Your rules are good, so do not let me be ashamed. I really want to obey your rules. Because you are righteous , please let me continue to live.”
- Psalms 119:33-40 EASY.
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