As I look down the corridors of history in my reading, I see where God’s people, both the true Christians and the faithful Jews, have been people of extraordinary character and integrity who remained locked in on God and His Word no matter what. These men and women were pillars of faith whose testimonies still strengthen us. Among them was my own great-grandfather. My Dad called him Zaida, which means Grandfather in Yiddish. He was an orthodox rabbi in Russia when the communist revolution was stirring. All clergymen were ordered to preach only the communist doctrine. But Zaida refused to stop preaching God’s Word to his flock. As a man of Torah, he was also committed to meeting the practical needs of his people, finding ways to collect food and clothing for them when poverty threatened because of persecution. Eventually, he and others were able to flee to America, a story in itself, to save their lives. Thank God there was a free America to flee to. May it always be the land of the free and the home of the brave. Amen.
I have a book Zaida wrote in which the elders of his congregation wrote a preface telling what I just told you. If he could speak to us today, he would tell us what he told his flock—God is faithful, His Word is true, He will protect and defend you as He keeps your mind and heart close to His own. Stay faithful because He is faithful.
It is just possible that we, of all the people who have ever lived on the earth, could be those whom God ordained before the foundation of the world to be His “end time people.” He chose us for such a time as this. To me, this means that He will enable those who are truly His to know Him as the Bride He is coming for, people whom He will anoint, empower and enable to be witnesses to His glory, holiness, love and truth. If we are to be a light in the darkness, we must walk in light - His light. It is never dark when you're with Him.
Today is a good day to put your faith in Yeshua (Jesus) who is the Light of the world. Just as the oil for the eternal lamp in the Temple was insufficient to keep it lit in the Hanukkah story, but God kept it lit till the eighth day when more oil would be available, in the same way, Yeshua will keep your light lit until the eighth day. Eight in the Bible always represents new beginnings. When Yeshua returns to the earth, it will indeed be a new beginning. In the mean time, He is preparing His people to be like those who were intent on purifying the temple after it had been defiled. The Holy Spirit will do a work of purification in each of our lives if we are willing. The only thing God really ever asked of HIs people is that we believe and trust in Him. If not now, when? If not you, who?
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