Only a Remnant
I went walking into the emerald forest with my camera again and came across these beauties. I have never seen mushrooms this color before. Since it is a shallow forest there is much shade, dampness from the rain and moss. So there are mushrooms all through this area but only this few in these colors; a remnant. They reminded me of what I wanted to discuss this week.
In addition to studying scripture, I like to watch YouTube channels of like minded believers. There is a lovely couple I follow who posted their recent discussion titled: “You better take this walk seriously.” It came right on time because I am in the middle of cleaning out the cobwebs of my heart and mind. Periodically life will put me in a circumstance where I question my walk. During these times I’m plagued with questions such as: “Am I really His daughter, are my desires truly aligned with His; or If I were truly His, how could I think and feel such horrible things.” What I have learned in this walk is that in the times where I’m strong and confident in my faith feeling as though I have conquered certain struggles in my life; the enemy shows up again clothed in that struggle. The problem is that the enemy or the situation will look nothing like before, it will be completely disguised until I’m submerged in the struggle; then I recognize it by the fruit it reveals which can be any number of things from a horrible attitude towards others, insomnia or severe anxiety. So when I say this discussion on taking our walk seriously came right on time, it is an understatement.
Scripture is very big on the use of the term remnant. The Oxford dictionary definition of this word is: a small remaining quantity of something. In Genesis with the story of Noah, YAHWEH brought on the flood, and out of the entire earth 8 were saved; Noah, his wife, his 3 sons, and their wives. A remnant. Numbers, chapter 13-14 is an account where the promised land was presented to the children of Israel. YAHWEH told Moses to send into the land some men, 1 from each tribe to spy out the land so there were 12 men total who were sent. Joshua and Caleb returned amped up and excited by the fact that YAHWEH promised to give them such beautiful lush land. However, 10 came back with what is described as an evil report. These 10 told all the Israelites that it would be impossible to take the land because there were giants there that made them look like grasshoppers who would make them all their prey. This news caused everyone to complain against Moses and YAHWEH. It made YAHWEH mad enough to kill them all but Moses was able to talk Him out of it. However in chapter 14 we find that because the 10 caused such a commotion by spreading bad news about the land, YAHWEH killed them with a plague. So only Joshua and Caleb remained of the 12. A remnant. Again in Genesis chapter 19, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah by the hand of YAHWEH, an entire city and its people were destroyed. How many escaped with their lives? Only 3; Lot and his 2 daughters when actually it should have been 4 but Lot’s wife looked back. A remnant.
2 Esdras is a book not many know about. It was part of the original KJV scriptures in 1611 but was later removed. It should not have been because all that is written in this book aligns with everything else written in the 66 books read today. However it states in 2 Esdras/4 Ezra chapter 8:1 And he answered me, saying, The most High hath made this world for many, but the world to come for few. 2: I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world. 3: There be many created, but few shall be saved. I repeat, “many created but few shall be saved” Further in the same book 2 Esdras The Malak is describing destruction in the end times. It states in 2 Esdras/4 Ezra chapter 16:28 The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them? 26: The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? for all places shall be desolate of men: 27: So that one man shall desire to see another, and to hear his voice. 28: For of a city there shall be ten left, and two of the field, which shall hide themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks. These verses were terrifying the first time I read it, and even more so now. Can you imagine there being no one left in a city but 10? And it appears they won’t be together because it says “one man shall desire to see another and hear his voice.” So yes, I’m grateful for the sobering reminder that no matter what I am going through now, If YESHUA were to come back today with my heart and attitude out of focus; I could very well miss the boat.
While I am a person who does take my walk seriously, and I am walking in Covenant, I must never forget that our Father YAHWEH is merciful and is fighting for me to get it together. It’s important that when I’m faced with adversity that I don’t dwell on what is negative about the issue like the 10 Israelite spies. I need to not look back like Lot’s wife searching for what was good in the past; as opposed to clinging to the hope of what’s ahead. These actions can have detrimental consequences because 1, our Father is displeased with our complaints and wants of a past life where we lived outside of His will and 2, the enemy is looking for this kind of weakness. 1 Peter 5:8 says: Be vigilant and be cautious, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. If we are lazy about our bad attitudes, energy and behavior, allowing negative thoughts and actions to flow, the enemy will use this as an open door into our hearts and minds. Once he is in there he starts ripping things up and I believe this is why Peter also states in 1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, how shall the wicked and the sinner stand judgement? This verse is an indication of how much this walk is a serious matter, and a continuous fight; therefore I hold tight to the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17 For while the troubles of the present time are little and light, a great and limitless glory for ever and ever is prepared for us. 18: We do not rejoice in the things which are seen, but in the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. The world is changing rapidly with all signs pointing to the coming of our reigning King YESHUA. This is not a time to be in our feelings about the little matters of this world, it is a time to dig in, fight and rejoice. So I take time to myself to reflect on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons which we use are not earthly weapons, but of the might of Elohim by which we conquer rebellious strongholds, 5: Casting down imaginations, and every false thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and capturing every thought to the obedience of HA’MASHIACH. I love how this verse says “every false thing” because that is what we have to understand, the enemy attacks us with falsities; flat out LIES.
I am grateful for this walk, I am grateful for His gentle beautiful reminders through others when He sees me struggling, I am grateful for the strength He gives me to bear it all and smile through any pain the enemy causes in my life. I will quote Paul again as he states in Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal to receive the prize of victory of the Elohim’s highest calling through YESHUA HA’MASHIACH. The last few New Testament verses I have quoted often as a christian, however now, they have more meaning walking in the truth. Scripture is truth, YESHUA says in John 17:17 O Father, sanctify them in thy truth, because thy word is truth. Therefore if His word is truth and it says in Deuteronomy 30:15-16 See I have set before you this day life and good, and death and misfortunes; 16: In that I command you this day to love YAHWEH your Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and his statutes and His judgments; then you shall live; and multiply exceedingly; and YAHWEH your ELOHIM shall bless you in the land which you are entering to possess. So this must be true as well. This is an everlasting Covenant which means it is still valid today. Therefore I do choose life and I embrace this Covenant with our Elohim no matter what.
YAHWEH is bigger than what we feel, and so is the world to come. So I’ma move forward in YESHUA walking in Torah, how about you? It’s like that lovely couple said, if the remnant means that there is only going to be 1. Guess what ya’ll I’m sorry, but it’s gonna be me! However I pray that there will be many, because I love the many of you in YESHUA! HalleluYAH!
Shalom!
Just a few supporting verses
1: And he answered me, saying, The most High hath made this world for many, but the world to come for few. 2: I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world. 3: There be many created, but few shall be saved.
-2 Esdras/4 Ezra chapter 8:1-3
The trees shall give fruit, and who shall gather them? 26: The grapes shall ripen, and who shall tread them? for all places shall be desolate of men: 27: So that one man shall desire to see another, and to hear his voice. 28: For of a city there shall be ten left, and two of the field, which shall hide themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks.
-2 Esdras/4 Ezra chapter 16:28
Be vigilant and be cautious, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
-1 Peter 5:8
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, how shall the wicked and the sinner stand judgement?
-1 Peter 4:18
17: For while the troubles of the present time are little and light, a great and limitless glory for ever and ever is prepared for us. 18: We do not rejoice in the things which are seen, but in the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
-2 Corinthians 4:17
4: For the weapons which we use are not earthly weapons, but of the might of Elohim by which we conquer rebellious strongholds, 5: Casting down imaginations, and every false thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and capturing every thought to the obedience of HA’MASHIACH.
-2 Corinthians 10:4-5
I press toward the goal to receive the prize of victory of God’s highest calling through YESHUA HA’MASHIACH.
-Philippians 3:14
O Father, sanctify them in thy truth, because thy word is truth.
-John 17:17
15: See I have set before you this day life and good, and death and misfortunes; 16: In that I command you this day to love YAHWEH your Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and his statutes and His judgments; then you shall live; and multiply exceedingly; and YAHWEH your ELOHIM shall bless you in the land which you are entering to possess.
-Deuteronomy 30:15-16
You shall revere YAHWEH your ELOHIM; him shall you serve, and to Him shall you cleave, and swear by His name
-Deuteronomy 10:20
My soul follows hard after thee; thy right hand upholds me
-Psalm 63:8
If you know that He is righteous, you know also that every one who does righteousness is of Him.
-1 John 2:29
But the path of the righteous is like the shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day.
-Proverbs 4:18
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.
-Isaiah 32:17
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept my faith; 8: Henceforth there is preserved for me a crown of righteousness, which YAHWEH, the righteous judge, will give me at that day; and not to me only but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
-2 Timothy 4:7-8