GOD’S INFINITE MERCY– by Raphael ben Levi
We recently entered the fourth month of Tammuz in the Hebrew calendar. Four stands for God’s creative works as in Gen.1:1:“In the beginning God created . . .” Gen1:1. In Hebrew it reads, “B’resheet Barah Elohim et”: בראשית ברא אלהים את. The fourth Hebrew word ‘et’ is untranslatable, but the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Tav’ (comprising the letters for ‘et’) refer to the One who is the beginning and the end, the Eternal One, identified in the Book of Revelation as the Messiah, Yeshua H’Mashiach: “I (Yeshua) am the Alpha (Aleph) and Omega (Taph) the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life.” (21:5-6)
Between 17th Tammuz and 9th Av is a 3-week period which the sages describe as “Between the Straits” because it is linked to a time of dark events in Israel’s history associated with Divine Judgement. It is a reminder of far reaching consequences linked to poor choices. So much better to live in fellowship with God through Yeshua made available to the whosoever through His sacrifice on the Cross. Sadly, there exist those who reject this possibility outright. And then there are counterfeits who readily mix godly lifestyles with carnal living. This is a very unwise choice… People who flirt with sin will reap a reward of wood, hay and stubble sealed with regret. It is a grievous deception that has been the undoing of many: Tammuz.
God is the righteous judge. Every one will one day face Him and give a full account of their life. There is nothing hidden that will not be exposed: every thought, motive, action and word spoken. But wait! The prophet Isaiah reminds us that however far we may have fallen there is hope and restoration available through Messiah Yeshua. Such is God’s amazing grace on offer to the whosoever – new beginnings and second chances! No one but He has the right to cast the first stone, but He never does. Instead, He seeks to restore the hearts of the broken, bring healing to the wounded, deliverance to the afflicted and redemption to those who have lost their way. He brings hope to the despairing; clothes the destitute with garments of joy, peace to the troubled soul, and rest to the weary! He takes hold of the sinners, the tax collectors, the mis-fits and rejects of this world who lie in the rubbish dump of hopelessness and despair, lifts them up, places them upon a solid rock and make all things new. He has done this for countless lives throughout the ages and He can do the same for you!
Tammuz is a dark month reflective of tragedy. But there is genuine hope for those with the courage to reach out and grasp it. For the same God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” (Gen. 1:3) desires to shine in our hearts, and give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Messiah Yeshua. (2Cor. 4:6)
Are there things today that need realigning in your life? If so, don’t wait, don’t wait!
