September 30, 2025

"So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.” deut 31:9-13 nkjv

The theme throughout the Bible is Yahweh [GOD] telling His people to seek His direction, follow his leading, and things will be sufficient and well for them. It should be a simple thing to just trust Yahweh. It is however, not often the case in most people’s thinking. Actually, I suggest that it is only a “simple” thing if one believes it. After believing, then following becomes the challenge. So many issues and natural things are obstructive to living a "daily" faith directed life. For example, consider the words of Yeshua above, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Dealing with issues of yesterday and tomorrow often consume today's peace and fellowship with Yeshua.

Yeshua was teaching his “Sermon on the Mount” with wise instruction for how to live daily, who knows what tomorrow will bring; and I would add, do we think we can deal with the unknown tomorrow better than having faith in Yeshua to guide us through it? Remember, only He sees the end from the beginning. Furthermore, Yahweh had Moses instruct the Children of Israel [and strangers among them] to hear His words and fear the LORD… that’s not an out of date concept, you think? There is no better way to consider “tomorrow” than following Yahweh’s plan for us.

The SEC football rivalry between Alabama and Georgia was this past weekend… the stadium in Athens, GA will seat near 93,000 people. It looked to me it was filled up. They were excited, demonstratively exhibiting their enthusiasm for their respective teams. All across the nation there were similar games and like-minded fans carrying on with little else of concern. I have seen many surveys and polls by those like Barna, who indicate that few “christian” churchmen can recite more than four of the Ten Commandments… but chances are they know who [and where] their favorite team plays next weekend. Its simply a matter of what really matters most to us/them. I was grieved by the thought of all those beautiful young people [and some older folks as well], who were so much like I was when I was young. In thinking about it, then I must ask the question, what changed me? When did it become important to me to become more thoughtful of my spiritual life? Somehow, the bottom line is that only Yahweh God makes it happen… in His kindness, He draws us to repentance and changes our course in life. I have no other answer for it. Now, at 82 years old, as I look back, my understanding is more clear… and I’m eternally thankful for what Yahweh has done, and is doing in my life. I also know He has my "tomorrow" taken care of.

I said all that to ask, what about your life, your pursuits, and do you consider your “someday” transition into the eternal realm…  “as it is appointed unto man once to die, and after that the judgment.”  Heb 9:27   Our past week Torah portion [reading], from which I quoted  deut 31:9-13  above, pretty well sums up the important issues in life, along with Yeshua’s statement in the first heading. Yeshua makes it clear that we really can’t know tomorrow, so why be concerned about it… Today is the day of Salvation: The Apostle Paul writes to the saints at Corinth;

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 cor 6:1-2 nkjv  Whether we acknowledge it or not… We DO LIVE IN A “NOW” TIME.

For as long as men have looked into the mystery of the workings of Yahweh's eternal plan, they have asked, what about tomorrow? It is especially notable to look at the Angel’s words to Daniel;

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” dan 12:1-4 nkjv

Daniel surely did see something… otherwise the Angel would not have told him to seal up the book. And when Daniel questioned him, he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Certainly, people everywhere are now running “to and fro,” and, as the Angel said, knowledge is rapidly increasing… exponentially in our day with AI enhanced knowledge and information available to us. But be careful, Yeshua said, do not be deceived… well with the fake and deep fake powers of AI and visual fakery, it makes me think that the book Daniel was to seal up, just may be about to open… at least to believers, as I think believers will know truth concerning what they see and hear if they see it through spirit eyes [eyes of the Torah truth]… and carefully take heed to Yeshua’s words… and seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Well, as we soon come to the “Day of Atonement,” Yom Kippur, near the end of this week… traditional Hebrew thought considers that day as representing the closing of the book, the locking of the gate that allows repentance… as a lesson teaching us Yahweh’s laws and His expectations of us, is a serious issue. That that day “NOW” has come… And, in a real sense, what if one day soon Yeshua’s return happens and you waited until “tomorrow” to deal with your sins and careless dealings with things the Bible says describes those who will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven… then we remember those simple words again:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” mat 6:33-34 nkjv

Shalom, John