Edited to add: Please read to the end for the rest of the story. YHVH is indeed faithful.
It could be like coffee for some people, the need to judge other people’s motives and actions.
It’s an important job really! We need to determine in our hearts what is wrong with other people, so we can tell them how to improve. Without us, there would be no hope for them. Since we have mastered that area of our lives, we are in the perfect position to judge them. ***sarcasm***
Since you may not have had a judgment opportunity yet today, I’ll give you one right now. I’m going to tell you one of my deep dark secrets.
Are you ready?
Here it is:
My husband works for part of Shabbat. His flight duties are not complete before the sun goes down on Shabbat.
Now, if you have your judgment prepared, you may scroll down and share your judgment in the comment section below. Thank you.
So, you didn’t leave? I’m so glad. I knew you were a kindred spirit that values truth and an encouraging spirit. YHVH is very pleased when we take the time to understand each other, and leave the judging up to Him. I’ve been judged many times in the past when people thought they could read my heart.
Now, I’d like to share with you a bit of my husband’s heart. Yes, he has to work for part of Shabbat. We have spent five years praying and asking YHVH to change that, but He has chosen not to. Every Friday night, when He has to kiss us goodbye, Doug is crying inside. His heart wants nothing more than to keep Torah. We have a very real understanding of the feeling of slavery that keeps you from fully obeying Torah. We cry out for deliverance, knowing it is just around the corner. We have checked other possibilities, only to find out they were our ideas, not His. Our deliverance will come from YHVH.
When Doug arrives home, his full heart enters into the blessed Shabbat rest. As you may guess, we just keep right on Shabbatin’ until bedtime. We read Torah to our children. We listen to teachings. We nap. We go for little walks together. We look forward to returning to the land, where Torah will be the law that everyone follows.
Now that you know my deep dark secret, I’d like to say a few things.
- Thank you for not judging.
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
(Mat 7:3)
- If you are struggling with a similar situation, be encouraged. YHVH will bring deliverance, just as He delivered Israel out of Egypt and taught them to remember the Sabbath.
- If you can keep Shabbat fully, praise and thank YHVH!
- Please join me in checking your heart for a judgmental spirit. I don’t want to find myself looking down on someone else when I don’t even have all the facts. Better to leave that to YHVH. He knows us inside and out.
Many blessings to you. 🙂
UPDATE
I apologize for not updating this post sooner, but I am happy to report that YHVH has delivered and brought my husband home. He has been able to fully enjoy Shabbat each week for over 3 years now and we are very grateful. It is still a walk of faith and a dependence on YHVH to provide, but He is faithful.
4 Responses
Heidi,
Oh my friend…thank you, I have struggled with this in the past, and we desire to walk out Torah in light of Messiah, so much…but we are in bondage and one day we will be delivered. Abba knows your hearts and HE alone should judge….confession time: I have been judgemental before, and have been extremely influenced by a judgemental spirit from others…to have my joy stolen.
My heart is with you, and these are the kind of posts I love! Real. LOVE TO YOU!
Confession… I too cry out for deliverance, about things that hinder my complete Torah observance. I understand EVERY the realness of bondage, and yet I know beyond a shadow of doubt, that Deliverance belongs to and only come from our Great and Mighty Elohim. HALLELU Yah!!! He has heard our cries, and one day, it will be as it should be! Until then, we wait on Him, Hus timing, and His perfect will… Thank you sister for the courage of your transparency. I really needed to read this today… It has been a very, very trying week… Praise Abba that He never slumbers nor sleeps… And Deliverance will come. Love to you, dearie 🙂
Shalom!
I believe he is truly changing his people. Not that we are becoming more accepting or tolerant of sin, but that we becoming more understanding of each other’s hearts, that we are really alike in that we all truly desire his words and to live walking in his Torah, but we are at different places on our paths, and we may not get it or others may not, but that it is their place to find. If they ask our advice, we can share it, but not to judge them, but to love.
I am finding less judgmentalism, though more truth in the past year in my circle of Believers. Perhaps I am shedding those who are judgmental, or perhaps I am seeing my own judgmentalism over the years and trying to shed it myself.
Either way, I am thankful for growth in myself and in others while still holding to Truths of the Father and his Ways.
I also know that there is a wide variation of beliefs, even amongst his people. Take us for example: we believe Shabbat starts at sunrise on the day of. This is a new belief for us within the past few months, but we don’t judge those who start on the evening before. As I said, it’s our walk, and others have their own. We all just love and pray and (virtually sometimes) HUG each other in Messiah!
Be blessed and may your husband also be blessed as he walks in the Father too!
Love this Heidi because I can so relate for the hearts cry to honour and follow YHVH but to be living here, in bondage and not in the land. Hugs to you and thank you for sharing your heart. Luv Donna