The Children of Israel in the wilderness is a shadow of what we endure as people of Yahweh. The children of Israel were delivered from the hand of bondage/slavery thru Yahweh’s mighty works and saved from death by the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorpost. We too have been delivered by Yahweh’s mighty works thru His Son Yahushua and are saved from the blood of the Lamb, the Messiah. When the children of Israel was saved from the Egyptians through the parting of the Red Sea, they rejoiced with a great rejoicing!
Exodus 15:21 (NKJV) And Miriam answered them: “Sing to Yahweh, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!”
And after the time of joy had come to pass, the first thing Yahweh did was test them. For in the following verse we read:
Exodus 15:22 (NKJV) So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 – Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 – And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 – So he cried out to Yahweh, and Yahweh showed him a tree. When he cast [it] into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them, 26 – and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of Yahweh your Elohim and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I [am] Yahweh who heals you.”
Many of us know that Yahweh soon tests us after we first turn to Him. The same held true thousands of years ago with the children of Israel.
It is a fact that the people of Yahweh MUST endure trials and tribulations:
The disciples were well aware of this fact:
Acts 14:21- And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 – strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting [them] to continue in the faith, and [saying], “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of Yahweh.”
But why must we endure these tests, trials and tribulations?
Romans 5:1- Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with Yahweh through our Master Yahushua the Messiah, 2 – through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of Yahweh. 3 – And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 – and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 – Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of Yahweh has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
James 1:2- My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 – knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 – But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
There are other reasons which will be discussed at the end of this study….
But we should know that Yahweh tested the children of Israel for forty years in the wilderness:
Deuteronomy 8:2- “And you shall remember that Yahweh your Elohim led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you [and] test you, to know what [was] in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
We too are in the wilderness. We are in a strange land for the kingdom we seek is not of this world. Let us know that we shall surely endure humbling tests from Yahweh.
I believe that alot of the discomfort and internal agony we endure as a result of our tribulations is because we feel that we have somehow wronged Yahweh. This sometimes leads lack of prayer to Yahweh at a time that we need Him most….and at a time when He would want us to pray to Him most.
There are other times that we feel we have done nothing wrong at all and we don’t understand why we are undergoing this particular test which may often be misinterpreted as chastisement. Some people have much difficulty enduring these kinds of tests because they get angry at Yahweh. This only makes it worse.
Trials from Yahweh to test our faith
Yes, there is such a thing as a trial that we must endure even though it may not be as a direct result of a particular sin in our life. Yahweh often wants to test our faith:
Psalm 11:5- Yahweh tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Abraham was no stranger to tests:
Genesis 22:1- Now it came to pass after these things that Elohim tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 – Then He said, “Take now your son, your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
How many of us would have done what Abraham did in the next verse?
Genesis 22:3- So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which Elohim had told him.
He rose EARLY in the morning to perform what Yahweh had asked! Perhaps some of us would have slept in…knowing what we had to do. This was an incredible test. This is Isaac/Yitzhak through whom Yahweh had promised to give Abraham children as numerous as the stars!
But Abraham did not fail:
Genesis 22:4- Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 – And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” 6 – So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid [it] on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 – But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where [is] the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 – And Abraham said, “My son, Elohim will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
A very prophetic statement. Abraham believed Yahweh.
And His works showed it.
Genesis 22:9- Then they came to the place of which Elohim had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 – And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 – But the Angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” 12 – And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear Elohim, since you have not withheld your son, your only [son], from Me.” 13 – Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind [him] [was] a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
See, Yahweh provided the lamb. Abraham was willing to give his only son to obey Yahweh. When we think of this…our trials and tests pale in comparison.
Consider also that it was Yahweh who loved US so much that He was willing to give us His righteous Son (The lamb) to die for us so that we might have life.
If anyone tries to tell us that we need not obey His commandments, this is a test from Yahweh:
Deuteronomy 13:1- “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 – and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, `Let us go after other elohim’–which you have not known–`and let us serve them,’ 3 – you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for Yahweh your Elohim is testing you to know whether you love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.
Men will come and tell us to turn from Yahweh’s commandments. We should not listen to that person even if they perform a miracle or sign!
This is consistent with Yahushua’s teaching.
Matthew 7:22 (NKJV) “Many will say to Me in that day, `Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 – And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Let us not be deceived by the signs and wonders of those who reject Yahweh’s commandments. This is only a test. On judgment day…these signs will not account for anything.
What kind of response would Yahweh want from His people when we encounter a trial?
James 1:2- My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 – knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 – But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
So we are told to count it all joy!
Luke 6:22 (NKJV) Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile [you], and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 – Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward [is] great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
It is difficult to be joyful in the midst of a trial but Yahweh wants us to realize our reward for overcoming.
A key to overcoming these tests is walking in obedience:
Luke 6:46- “But why do you call Me `Master, Master,’ and do not do the things which I say? 47 – Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 – He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 – But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
But what if we fail? If we fail a test from Yahweh are we hopelessly lost and without hope? Are we condemned forever and counted as wicked in His sight?
This is where many of us have certainly stumbled. We feel unworthy of praying to Him when we fail. We may often feel that our situation is hopeless and that we are lost.
Brothers and sisters, Yahweh says this is the time! This is where we need to be! It is when our hearts are truly humble and our spirit is broken that we can count on His mercy:
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
See, this is what Yahweh desires of us….
Psalm 51:17 (NKJV) The sacrifices of Elohim [are] a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart– These, O Elohim, You will not despise.
Yahweh promises to revive our hearts:
Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV) For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name [is] Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy [place], With him [who] has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
And deliver us from our affliction:
Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) Yahweh [is] near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous, But Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
The scripture does not say in vain:
1 John 2:1- My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yahushua the Messiah the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 1:8- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
These are promises given to those who humble themselves and pray to Yahweh, confessing their sins unto Him. These are not promises to those who think Yahweh is a robot and that He has no choice but to forgive our sins regardless of our attitude and proud heart. All throughout the scriptures we see examples of Yahweh forgiving the sins of those who humble themselves and ask forgiveness. It was the difference between Saul and David, the Pharisees and the disciples, the children of Israel and Pharoah.
I know for myself that I am no stranger to tests, trials and persecutions. I have failed many times. But Yahweh kept on testing me until I passed. And when I did there was no better feeling in the world! Still I’m not worthy of the least of the mercy and truth that He has shown me. But I know that the trials I have endured are really nothing in comparison to what is in the near future.
Brothers and sisters let us be humble in His sight for truly the days are coming when His saints will have to endure the ultimate test:
The Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:21 (NKJV) “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 – And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
Yahushua warned us about those days:
Luke 21:34 (NKJV) ” But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 – For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 – Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
With this great tribulation comes a promise. That promise is deliverance. Deliverance for that end time Philadelphia assembly who doesn’t deny His name:
Revelation 3:10 (NKJV) “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Yes, deliverance for that end time people who call on His name:
Zechariah 13:8- And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says Yahweh, “[That] two-thirds in it shall be cut off [and] die, But [one]- third shall be left in it: 9 – I will bring the [one]-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, `This [is] My people’; And each one will say, `Yahweh [is] my Elohim.’ “
This does not mean that all who call upon His name are His people…but that His people DO call upon, think upon and do not deny His name.
But yes, He will spare those end time people revere and think upon the name of Yahweh:
Malachi 3:16 (NKJV) Then those who feared Yahweh spoke to one another, And Yahweh listened and heard [them]; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear Yahweh And who meditate on His name. 17 – “They shall be Mine,” says Yahweh of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 – Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves Elohim And one who does not serve Him.
Today, the water is indeed muddy. The doctrines of men have taken away the law of Yahweh as the measure for righteousness….as a measure for who serves Him and who serves Him not. But on that final day, it will all be brought out in the open. All the deceit will be revealed. And Yahweh will spare His people.
As we endure these things, let us remember the One who overcame the world.
John 16:32- “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
But He reassured His disciples with these comforting words:
John 16:33- “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Our trials are many, our afflictions and temptations strong. But Yahweh has promised us great rewards.
James 1:12- Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which Yahweh has promised to those who love Him.
Let us keep in mind what awaits us:
Revelation 21:1- Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 – Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Yahweh, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 – And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of Yahweh [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. Yahweh Himself will be with them [and] [be] their Elohim. 4 – And Yahweh will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 – Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 – And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 – He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his Elohim and he shall be My son.
WHAT AN AWESOME PROMISE!!!!!
Let us step back and look at the big picture here! Our life here is but a vapor that appears for a moment and then quickly vanishes away. Can we indeed only live right and overcome these things that will afflict us in this short life so that we will receive His promises…namely trillions and trillions of years full of life eternal in a joyful, peaceful place full of love and light!!!!????
Let it be so!!
Revelation 22:12 (NKJV) “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward [is] with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 – I am the Alpha and the Omega, [the] Beginning and [the] End, the First and the Last.” 14 – Blessed [are] those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 – But outside [are] dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16 – “I, Yahushua, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 – And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 18 – For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, Yahweh will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 – and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Yahweh shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book. 20 – He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Master Yahushua! 21 – The grace of our Master Yahushua the Messiah [be] with you all. Amen.