Tag Archives: Messiah

Quotation Station

December 22, 2023 By in Quotation Station Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Sometimes, when we’re so overwhelmed by events that we cannot find the words to express the many emotions we experience throughout the day, it’s good and acceptable to consult the wisdom of those who came before us. Consider King David, a man after Adonai’s own heart, who wrote down his words and organized them into the prayers we can access today.

Many are taught the freedom of expression that comes when speaking with Adonai, and yes, it does exist. But what many are not taught is the awesome benefit of praying “the prayers” as they are recorded in the Bible and elsewhere. Imagine, people all across the world saying the same words at the same time. “But how can we actually be praying them at the same time unless we coordinated beforehand?” you ask.

Because Adonai is outside of time. Shabbat Shalom to those seeking rest and peace.

Avinu Shebashamayim

“Avinu Shebashamayim, Rock and Redeemer of Israel

Bless the State of Israel, the start of flowering of Redemption.

Shield it with Your love; spread over it the shelter of Your peace

Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth.

Establish for them Your good counsel.

Strengthen the hands of the defenders of our Holy Land

Cause them to inherit, our G-d, deliverance

Place the crown of victory upon them

Give the land peace, and everlasting joy to its inhabitants

And visit all our Brethren of the house of Israel,

in all the lands where they are scattered,

and bring them rapidly to Zion, Your city,

and to Jerusalem, where Your name lives,

as it says in the Torah of Moses, Your servant:

‘Even if your dwelling is at the end of the sky,

G-d will congregate you from there, and bring you from there,

and will bring you toward the land that Your forefathers inherited

and you will inherit it and G-d shall benefit you

and multiply your numbers greater than your forefathers.

Then the LORD your G-d will open up your heart

and the hearts of your offspring to love the LORD your G-d

with all your heart and soul, in order that you may live.’

Unify our hearts to love and worship Your name and to keep all that is in Your Torah,

and send us the son of David, the Messiah of Your justice,

to redeem those who wait for Your salvation.

Appear with the glory and the pride of Your strength,

in front of all the inhabitants of the Universe,

and all those who have breath will say:

The G-d of Israel is the King,

and He reigns over everything.

Amen, forever.”

(Courtesy of Sefaria)

Coming to You Live from Hanukkah!

December 13, 2023 By in Lightning Juice Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

It’s no coincidence that during Hanukkah the Torah readings included the portions of Vayeshev and Mikketz. Of all the stories in Torah, Joseph’s most closely parallels that of Messiah.

The beginning stages are set in Vayeshev, there’s an unexpected digression in the middle of the tale that, if you miss it, will leave the story incomplete, and the portion ends on what appears to be a hopeless situation. On the other hand, we see Joseph’s fortunes take an upward turn in Mikketz and the tests of repentance, humility, and forgiveness expertly woven into the narrative.

I’ve often imagined myself as a casual observer, perhaps a maid in Joseph’s house, watching these strange events unfold. Or sometimes, when my imagination explodes, a time-traveling reporter with the powers of invisibility who inserts herself into the scene. But even as a modern-day reader of a story with which I am very familiar, I find that every time I read the tale, I am no less excited as Adonai brilliantly crafts the scene and what I lovingly call “The Big Reveal.”

Genesis 44:18, where Judah speaks, always thrills me. In that small break between verses 17 and 18 hangs the fate of Joseph’s brothers and the world. I encourage you to not rush from one verse to the other without considering everything that came before and everything that will follow. It is in such pauses that Adonai can be found.

Circle back to Joseph’s situation at the end of Yayeshev. The cupbearer may have forgotten Joseph, but Adonai did not. In another read-between-the-lines moment, HaShem is making Joseph wait. Why? We have no idea what took place during those two years, and yet . . .

How many times has HaShem made us wait for something, seemed like He was beyond reach, and our hope began to wane? There’s your answer: never give up hope because Adonai is always in the middle of your situation, whether it’s illness, financial loss, attack by genocidal maniacs, or being sold into slavery by the hands of your brothers. It’s in the waiting that we grow and mature. We don’t require the specifics of Joseph’s situation to know that this applies to us.

Unless you live as a total recluse, you know we’re living in dark days wherein the battlefronts change daily in a war that is rarely, if ever, well defined. But the Light still burns as strongly as ever, and it will not be extinguished. Again, it’s by design that we’re celebrating Hanukkah—a time of miracles, light, truth, and victory achieved by small numbers with the assistance of Adonai—right now!

The next Torah portion is Vayigash, and it reads like a reporter’s dream scoop. What a story to give a world in need! Pay attention to the important key that Joseph only revealed himself when all the brothers were present. Chew on that for a moment before rushing toward the exciting conclusion, which, in truth, is a glorious beginning.

I’m praying for Israel and the world during the eight nights of Hanukkah, that sacred time when hidden things will be revealed (John 10:22 – 30), when strength in small numbers does amazing things, when Adonai’s hand is in the middle of the situation up to His elbow!

Take this time to pause, reflect, and rededicate yourself to Yeshua HaMashiach. We’ll see you at sundown for the seventh night of Hanukkah celebration. Baruch haba b’Shem Adonai!

~The Gibsons