Psalm 130 speaks of Adonai’s gift of mercy and forgiveness. When we realize what our salvation cost Messiah we begin to comprehend the unending Grace of our King and the frailty of our lives!

Adonai has a redemptive purpose for every tribe and tongue and nation. This message illustrates how individuals and people groups can have a significant influence on society when they use their gifts to serve Adonai's purposes and when they work together to accomplish His will in the earth.

In our Torah portion this week, Adonai sends various tests to the children of Israel and they fail the tests horribly. We also encounter various tests in our walk with Adonai. James 1:2-4 tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials, knowing the testing of our faith produces endurance. In this message we discuss some of the ways that Adonai tests our faith and how we can keep from flunking the trust test.

Pharaoh’s hardened heart against Adonai demonstrates how the human heart is deceptive and unreceptive to the word of G-d. Believers can cultivate a heart of good soil by putting on the character of David, a man after God’s own heart, who demonstrated humility, worship, love for God’s word and presence, fearlessness, and loyalty.

In the same way Adonai humbled Israel in the wilderness as they obeyed in faith, believers in Messiah must work out their salvation knowing Adonai is working in them. But remember The Nehemiah Factor: while you build, be prepared to fight because the war goes on!

People will either be slaves to sin or slaves to Messiah. Ignorance of G-d’s Word leaves people stuck in their sin and destined to perish. It is the living Word of G-d that secures freedom! We must come to Yeshua and stay in G-d’s Word to overcome the strongholds in our lives.

When others wrong us they incur a debt against us. But Yeshua called his disciples to turn the other cheek, and Rabbi Paul taught us to leave vengeance to G-d. Joseph modeled this response: he had compassion on his brothers, forgave them, and blessed them because he recognized G-d’s justice and trusted in G-d’s providence.

Judah made himself “surety” by offering his life for the salvation of Israel. Heaven is taking applications for “Israel’s Surety” - foot soldiers who will give their lives for the spiritual freedom of Jewish people. Believers in Messiah should pray the Word of G-d over Israel, pray for a burden for Israel, and weep over the unbelief of Zion.