Podcasts about hesed

Welcome to Day 2810 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2810 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 118:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2810 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2810 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Refuge – Stepping into the Wide-Open Spaces In our previous trek, we stood on the mountaintop of Psalm One Hundred Seventeen. We explored the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, and yet, we saw how it held the largest possible stage. It was a cosmic megaphone, calling all the disinherited nations, and all the diverse people groups of the earth, to return to their Creator. It reminded us that God's unfailing love is a prevailing flood, capable of washing over every cultural and geographical boundary. Today, we take our next momentous step. We are crossing the threshold into Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, and we will be focusing our attention on the first movement of this incredible song, covering verses one through nine, in the New Living Translation. This is a milestone moment in our journey. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen is the grand finale, the sweeping crescendo, of the Egyptian Hallel. This is the very last of the Passover psalms. When you picture Jesus and His disciples in the Upper Room, finishing the Last Supper, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that they sang a hymn before heading out to the Mount of Olives. This was that hymn. These were the very words that filled the mind of the Messiah, as He walked deliberately toward the darkness of Gethsemane, and the agony of the cross. As we read this psalm, we hear the sound of a massive, festive procession. We hear a worship leader crying out to the congregation, and we hear a deeply personal testimony of a leader who was surrounded by enemies, yet rescued by the overwhelming power of Yahweh. So, let us join the procession, and listen to the opening chorus. The first segment is: The Chorus of Unfailing Love. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verses one through four. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Let all Israel repeat: "His faithful love endures forever." Let Aaron's descendants, the priests, repeat: "His faithful love endures forever." Let all who fear the Lord repeat: "His faithful love endures forever." The psalm erupts with a joyful, booming command: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!" But this is not just a solo performance. The worship leader is actively conducting a massive, multi-part choir, stationed within the temple courts. He calls out to three specific, distinct groups, demanding that they lift their voices and repeat the core thesis of the entire biblical narrative: "His faithful love endures forever." If this grouping sounds familiar, it should! We saw this exact same three-part division back in Psalm One Hundred Fifteen. First, the leader calls out to all Israel. These are the covenant people, the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are the ones who experienced the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna in the wilderness. They, of all people, have the historical evidence to shout that God's faithful love endures. Next, he turns to Aaron's descendants, the priests. These are the spiritual leaders, the men who mediated between the holy God and the flawed nation. They worked the sacrifices; they saw the blood on the altar. They understood, intimately, the cost of forgiveness. They are commanded to publicly declare that the sacrificial system is upheld not by mechanics, but by God's enduring love. Finally, the leader casts a wide net to all who fear the Lord. This encompasses the Gentile converts, the foreigners, and the strangers from those diverse nations we talked about in Psalm One Hundred Seventeen. God's love is not geographically restricted. If you fear Yahweh, if you revere the Creator of the universe, you are invited into the choir. You are given a voice in the congregation. And what is the lyric they are all singing? It is the Hebrew word Hesed. This is God's loyal, stubborn, covenant-keeping affection. It is a love that does not quit when we fail. It is a love that outlasts empires, survives the darkness of the grave, and, as the psalm says, "endures forever." When Jesus walked toward the cross, He was holding onto this exact promise. The physical pain would be temporary, but the Hesed of the Father would be eternal. The second segment is: The Cry from the Narrow Place. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verse five. In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. Suddenly, the perspective shifts. The sweeping, panoramic view of the massive choir fades into the background, and a single, solitary voice steps up to the microphone. The worship leader—perhaps the King, or perhaps a representation of the Messiah—shares a deeply personal testimony. "In my distress, I prayed to the Lord." The Hebrew word translated as "distress" is metsar. It literally means a narrow, tight, or constricted place. It paints a vivid, suffocating picture. Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever felt like the walls of your life—your finances, your health, your relationships—were closing in on you, squeezing the very breath out of your lungs? That is the metsar. It is the spiritual claustrophobia of a crisis. The psalmist was pushed into a corner with no human escape route. But in that tight, suffocating space, he did the only thing left to do. He prayed. He cried out to Yahweh. And the response of God is breathtaking: "The Lord answered me and set me free." The literal Hebrew translation is incredibly poetic. It says, "The Lord answered me in a broad place," or "in a spacious place." God did not just pluck him out of the tight squeeze; God completely changed his environment. He moved him from the suffocating, narrow gorge of distress, and planted his feet in a wide, expansive, sunlit meadow of freedom. This is what Yahweh does. He takes our claustrophobic anxieties and replaces them with the wide-open spaces of His grace. He gives us room to breathe again. The third segment is: The Fearless Stance of the Redeemed. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verses six through seven. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. Because the psalmist has experienced this miraculous transfer from the narrow place to the spacious place, his entire psychological posture has changed. He stands tall, squares his shoulders, and makes a bold, defiant declaration: "The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear." This is the ultimate antidote to anxiety. If the Maker of heaven and earth, the Commander of the Divine Council, is actively standing on your side, fear becomes logically obsolete. He asks a rhetorical question: "What can mere people do to me?" When we look at this through the lens of the Ancient Israelite worldview, we understand that "mere people" are often pawns. Behind hostile human armies and corrupt human politicians, there are often dark, rebellious spiritual forces at work. The psalmist knows that he is not just fighting flesh and blood. But even so, if the Most High God—the uncreated Creator—is his helper, then the rebel gods and their human puppets are entirely powerless to change his eternal destiny. "What can mere people do to me?" They might insult me. They might steal my property. They might even, as Jesus knew, destroy my physical body. But they cannot touch my soul, and they cannot alter the enduring, forever nature of God's Hesed toward me. He repeats the truth to let it sink in deep: "Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me." The word for "help" here means to actively assist in battle. God is not a passive observer; He is a fellow warrior in the trenches. Because of this divine alliance, the psalmist is certain of the outcome: "I will look in triumph at those who hate me." He doesn't say he will seek bitter, petty revenge. He says he will look in triumph. He will stand in the wide-open space of God's deliverance, and he will see the hostile, chaotic forces of his enemies completely neutralized. The Fourth Segment is: The Superiority of the Divine Refuge. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verses eight through nine. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the...

Send a textPastor Mark continues our Lenten series through Titus, reflecting on the kindness and love of Jesus and how it connects to God's hesed.Support the showThe Village Church's sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God's work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God's kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Welcome to Day 2808 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2808 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 117:1-2 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2808 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand eight hundred eight of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Shortest Song with the Largest Stage – Calling the Nations Home Today, we are undertaking a fascinating and entirely unique stage of our journey. We are stepping into the absolute center of the Bible to explore Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, covering its entirety—which is just verses one through two, in the New Living Translation. This is a milestone for a couple of reasons. First, Psalm One Hundred Seventeen holds the distinct title of being the shortest chapter in the entire Bible. It consists of only two verses and, in the original Hebrew, a mere seventeen words. Second, it is widely considered the middle chapter of the Protestant Bible. But do not let its brevity fool you. What this psalm lacks in word count, it makes up for in cosmic, earth-shaking theology. In our previous trek through Psalm One Hundred Sixteen, we listened to an intensely personal, intimate testimony. We heard the voice of a single, desperate individual who had been wrapped in the terrifying cords of death. We saw Yahweh, the Most High God, stoop down from heaven to listen to one man's whispered cry for help. It was a beautiful picture of individual salvation, ending with the psalmist paying his vows in the temple courts of Jerusalem. Today, the camera pans out. We move from the microscopic to the macroscopic. The single voice of the rescued individual in Psalm One Hundred Sixteen suddenly turns into a megaphone, broadcasting a summons to the entire planet. Psalm One Hundred Seventeen is still part of the "Egyptian Hallel," the songs sung during the Passover festival. But here, the focus breaks completely out of the borders of Israel. It is a trumpet blast directed at the pagan world. It is a declaration of cosmic warfare, and a radical invitation of grace. So, let us unpack these two massive, monumental verses together. The First Segment is: The Cosmic Summons: Reclaiming the Disinherited. Psalm One Hundred Seventeen: verse one. Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. The psalm explodes right out of the gate with a command: "Praise the Lord, all you nations." To modern ears, this sounds like a standard, generic call to worship. But to the Ancient Israelite, singing this in the courts of the temple, this was a jaw-dropping, radical statement. It requires us to look through the lens of the Ancient Israelite Divine Council worldview, as taught by scholars like Dr. Michael S. Heiser. We must go all the way back to Genesis Chapter Eleven and the Tower of Babel. At Babel, humanity rebelled against Yahweh, refusing to spread out and fill the earth. In response, God judged the nations. But He didn't just confuse their languages; He disinherited them. According to Deuteronomy Chapter Thirty-two, verses eight through nine, God divided the nations and placed them under the authority of lesser spiritual beings—the "sons of God," or the divine council. Yahweh then stepped back and started over with one man, Abraham, to create His own special portion: Israel. From that moment on, the "nations" (the goyim) were viewed as foreign territory. They were under the jurisdiction of rebel gods, hostile principalities, and dark spiritual forces. They worshipped idols of wood and stone, which we saw mocked so thoroughly back in Psalm One Hundred Fifteen. So, when the psalmist stands up and shouts, "Praise Yahweh, all you nations!" he is doing something incredibly audacious. He is crossing enemy lines. He is essentially serving an eviction notice to the rebel gods. He is looking at the people of Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, and Assyria, and he is saying, "Your gods have failed you. They are dead. The time of your exile from the Creator is coming to an end. Yahweh is calling you back!" The parallel phrase, "Praise him, all you people of the earth," uses the Hebrew word ummim, which refers to tribes, clans, and people groups. The psalmist leaves no one out. The invitation is universal. God is not content to simply be the local deity of a small strip of land in the Middle East. He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and He demands, and invites, the adoration of every human being on the planet. This is why the Apostle Paul quotes this exact verse in Romans Chapter Fifteen, verse eleven. Paul uses Psalm One Hundred Seventeen to prove to the early church that the inclusion of the Gentiles—the non-Jewish people—was not a New Testament "Plan B." It was God's plan all along. The ultimate goal of choosing Israel was to create a beacon of light that would eventually draw all the disinherited nations back into the family of God. The Second Segment is: The Gravity of Grace: Why the Nations Should Sing. Psalm One Hundred Seventeen: verse two. For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! If verse one is the Command, verse two provides the Reason. Why should the pagan nations, who have spent centuries worshipping other gods, suddenly turn and praise Yahweh? The psalmist gives two reasons, rooted in two of the most important words in the Hebrew Bible: Unfailing Love (Hesed) and Faithfulness (Emet). Let us look closely at the first phrase: "For his unfailing love for us is powerful." Hesed is God's loyal, covenant-keeping, relentless love. But notice the direction of this love. The psalmist says His love for "us" is powerful. "Us" refers to Israel. This raises a fascinating question. Why should the nations praise God for the love He showed to Israel? If you are a Babylonian, why do you care that God loves the Jewish people? The answer lies in the promise given to Abraham in Genesis Chapter Twelve: "I will bless you... and all the families on earth will be blessed through you." Israel was never meant to be a reservoir of God's grace; they were meant to be a river. God's Hesed toward Israel—rescuing them from Egypt, giving them the law, protecting them from enemies, and bearing patiently with their constant rebellion—was the vehicle through which salvation would reach the rest of the world. When the nations look at how Yahweh treated Israel, they see a God who keeps His promises. They see a God who does not annihilate His people when they mess up. And they realize, "If this God is that intensely loyal and loving to Israel, maybe there is hope for us, too. Maybe we can be grafted into that same covenant." Furthermore, the word translated as "powerful" (gabar) is an incredibly muscular word. It means to prevail, to be mighty, or to overwhelm. It is the same word used in the story of Noah's Ark, when the floodwaters "prevailed" over the tops of the highest mountains. The psalmist is saying that God's unfailing love is a flood. It cannot be contained by the borders of Israel. It prevails over human sin. It prevails over the rebellious spiritual principalities of the Divine Council. It overtops the highest mountains of human resistance, and spills out to cover the entire globe. The Third Segment is: The Eternal Echo: Truth That Outlasts Time. The second half of the reason is just as anchoring: "...the Lord's faithfulness endures forever." The word for faithfulness is Emet, which means truth, reliability, and stability. In a world governed by chaotic pagan gods who were unpredictable, petty, and easily angered, the concept of a God whose truth "endures forever" was revolutionary. The gods of the nations rose and fell with their empires. Where is Marduk today? Where is Baal? They are buried in the dust of history, remembered only in museums and archaeological digs. But the faithfulness of Yahweh remains. His truth does not have an expiration date. Because His love is overwhelmingly powerful, and His truth is eternally stable, the nations have a solid rock upon which to stand. They are invited to leave the shifting sands of the world's chaos, and step into the eternal security of the Creator's household. The psalm concludes with the great bookend of the Hallel: "Praise the Lord!" Or, Hallelujah! When Jesus sang this psalm with His disciples on the night of the Last Supper, He knew exactly what He was about to do. He was about to walk to the cross to demonstrate the ultimate, prevailing power of God's Hesed. He was...

03/01/2026 Love, Rewritten | God's Unconditional LoveExodus 34BIG IDEA: God's hesed is covenant love that binds Himself to us and refuses to let go.How long will God keep loving us? Following Jesus is not about trying harder, it's about surrendering more. Idols in our lives: What idols do you have in your life that keep you from enriching your relationship with Jesus? You are free to choose, but you are not free to choose your consequences.God's hesed for you:Hesed is rooted in God's character. Hesed is not sustained by your behavior, it's sustained by God's character..Hesed outlasts failure.Hesed is revealed fully in Christ. (John 1:14) Jesus is hesed embodied (1 Peter 1: 18-19). The Cross is not emotional love, it's covenantal love paying the price.In Christ, your new reality is:Hesed means you can stop performing. If God's love were conditional, you would have to maintain it. Read Galatians 3:3 and 2:20.Hesed means you can stop hiding. Confess your sins, repent, and receive God's forgiveness. (Psalm 32)Hesed means you can start loving differently. (Colossians 3; Ephesians 4) We are anchored by God's love, so we can love others properly.

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation. Today's Bible reading is Ruth 1:1–18. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional at https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-strength-hcj/. Browse other resources from Paul E. Miller. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

What if the moment that nearly broke you became the turning point that clarified your calling? We open our sixth season with a candid, hope-charged conversation about rescue, refuge, and the quiet courage it takes to be still long enough to hear God's next step. Joined by New Hope Girls' U.S. director, Jeri Purdy, and board member Rob Wallstrom, we trace a story that moves from personal surrender to national transformation in the Dominican Republic.Jeri shares how stepping away from a beloved role led to a hard reset—complete with failed plans, forced stillness, and a rebuilt rhythm of prayer and Scripture. Rob adds the lens of Hesed, the Hebrew picture of covenant love, and shows how that theology becomes practice: immediate care for girls in crisis and the deeper work of restoration that rewrites identity. Together, we explore how New Hope Girls serves children as young as two, walks with them through education and adulthood, pays a living wage to women artisans, and keeps families close with on-site daycare. The mission reaches weekly into the barrio to serve 300 girls and, remarkably, now partners with the DR government to help reform national rescue and protection protocols with a Christ-centered, trauma-informed approach.Along the way, we talk about discerning God's will without needing the next 45 steps, why stillness is not weakness, and how closeness to a good God births patient, bold leadership. If your heart beats for justice, adoption, anti-trafficking, or faith that actually changes lives, this story will stay with you.Be part of the movement: pray for caregivers and girls, support artisans by shopping their work, or become a monthly hope champion. If something stirred you, rewind, write it down, and ask, “Lord, what are you saying to me?” Then subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the hope.

Welcome to Day 2792 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2792 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 109:26-31 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2792 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred ninety-two of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Wisdom-Trek: The Verdict of Love – Standing at the Right Hand of the Poor. Today, we reach the conclusion of our journey through the valley of betrayal, Psalm One Hundred Nine. We are trekking through the final stanza, verses twenty-six through thirty-one, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek, we walked through the darkest corridors of this psalm. We heard David's agonizing cry for justice against the enemy who had repaid his love with hatred. We witnessed the "Boomerang of Justice," where David prayed for the very curses his enemy loved to return upon his own head—for his name to be blotted out and his prayers to be counted as sin. We saw David broken, fasting, fading like a shadow, and mocked by the public. It was a scene of utter devastation. But as we arrive at these final six verses, the atmosphere in the courtroom shifts. David has made his case. He has laid out the evidence of his enemy's cruelty and his own innocence. Now, he turns his face fully toward the Judge. In this closing prayer, we move from the Curse to the Confidence. We see the Accuser—the "Satan" at the enemy's right hand—replaced by a greater Advocate. We see David move from the shame of being a byword to the joy of public praise. And we discover that the ultimate answer to slander is not revenge, but Rescue. So, let us stand with David as the verdict is read. Segment one is: The Final Appeal: Save Me by Your Hesed. Psalm One Hundred Nine: verse twenty-six. Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because of your unfailing love. After the torrent of curses and the description of his own misery, David distills his entire request into one simple, desperate cry: "Help me, O Lord my God!" The word "Help" (ozreni) implies active assistance. He is asking God to step into the fray. But notice the basis of his appeal: "Save me because of your unfailing love." Here is our covenant word again: Hesed. This is crucial. David does not say, "Save me because I am innocent," even though he is. He does not say, "Save me because my enemy is wicked," even though he is. He says, "Save me because of Your character." David anchors his salvation in the loyal love of Yahweh. Even when human love is repaid with hatred (verse five), God's love remains constant. This is the bedrock of all true prayer. When we have nothing else to offer—when we are "skin and bones" (verse 24)—we can always appeal to God's nature. "Lord, be who You are. You are the God of Hesed; therefore, save me." The second segment is: The Theology of Vindication: Let Them Know It Was You. Psalm One Hundred Nine: verse twenty-seven. Let them...

Send us a text In this episode of BuddyWalk with Jesus, we slow down over Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” What does Jesus mean by mercy—and how is it different from being permissive, naïve, or a doormat? We explore the Bible's language of mercy, the Old Testament heartbeat of God's steadfast love, and why Jesus places mercy right in the middle of the Beatitudes. In a culture that rewards outrage, shaming, and payback, this episode calls us into a Kingdom way of living where truth and compassion belong together. You'll also get practical, doable steps for practicing mercy—through your words, your relationships, and even your boundaries—so your life can reflect the heart of the Father. Support the show If you have any questions about the subjects covered in today's episode you can find us on Facebook at the links below or you can shoot me an email at joe@buddywalkwithjesus.com One Stop Shop for all the links Linktr.ee/happydeamedia

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23Resources for a life of following Jesus, every day, everywhere, with everyone.

In a world where identity and belonging often feel uncertain, we explore a compelling narrative that speaks to the heart of who we are meant to be. This message reveals ancient wisdom that challenges us to embrace deeper connections with one another. Discover how timeless truths can transform the way we engage with those around us, offering fresh perspectives on freedom, identity, and love. Join us on this journey to uncover the design for our lives that transcends mere survival and invites us into true community.

A sermon from Geoff Zeigler on Ruth 1

Welcome to Day 2780 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2780 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 107:17-32 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2780 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred eighty of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Great Rescue – Healing the Fool and Taming the Chaos. Today, we continue our voyage through the magnificent Psalm One Hundred Seven. We are exploring the second half of the four great testimonies of redemption, covering verses seventeen through thirty-two, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through the first sixteen verses of this psalm, we stood amidst the great assembly of the redeemed. We heard the call: "Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!" We heard the testimony of the Wanderers—those who were lost in the desolate wilderness, hungry and homeless, until God led them to a city. We heard the testimony of the Prisoners—those who sat in darkness and iron chains because they rebelled against the counsel of the Most High, until God shattered the bronze gates to set them free. Today, two more groups step forward to the microphone. Their stories are perhaps even more intense. First, we will meet the Fools—those whose rebellion manifested not as chains, but as a sickness that brought them to the very brink of the grave. Second, we will meet the Sailors—the merchants who dared to do business in the chaotic deep, only to find themselves reeling like drunkards in a storm that swallowed their wisdom whole. In both cases, we will see the Hesed—the Unfailing Love—of Yahweh intervene when all hope was lost. We will see Him send His Word to heal, and we will see Him whisper to the waves to bring peace. So, let us listen as the next witnesses share their story of salvation. The first segment is: Testimony Three: The Fools and the Great Physician. Psalm One Hundred Seven: verses seventeen through nineteen. Some were fools; they suffered because of their sinful ways.  Their appetites were gone, and they drew near to the gates of death.  "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. The third group steps forward, and the psalmist introduces them with a blunt, uncomplimentary title: "Fools." "Some were fools; they suffered because of their sinful ways." The Hebrew word used here is evilim. In the wisdom literature of Proverbs, a fool is not someone who lacks intelligence; a fool is someone who lacks moral compass. A fool is someone who lives as if there are no consequences. They are spiritually reckless. The text tells us plainly that their suffering was self-inflicted. It was "because of their sinful ways" (literally, "the way of their transgression"). They lived hard, rebelled against God's design for life,...

Reading Plan: Worship - Psalm 13Wisdom - Proverbs 3:3-4Witness - Genesis 48-50Visit https://www.revivalfromthebible.com/ for more information.

“I wouldn't want to be part of any club that would have me as a member.” — Groucho Marx What if faith sometimes feels like that too? This week we talk about belonging, rejection, and how Yeshua teaches us to live with lovingkindness on the margins. Check it out in our most recent sermon from Rabbi David. Faithful on the Margins: Following Yeshua with Humility, Discernment, and Hesed (Matthew 7:1-12)

Hesed Blesses Forever—David; Walking Humbly with Hesed—Micah; Hoping in Hesed—Jeremiah; Hesed Returns Israel to Jerusalem; Jesus Embodies Hesed—The Vision of Isaiah; Jesus Embodies Hesed—Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets; and Jesus Embodies Hesed—Sowing the Ideals of the Law of Moses and the ProphetsFind more at https://timharner.com

Welcome to Day 2778 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2778 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 107:1-16 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2778 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred seventy-eight of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Great Gathering – From the Wasteland to the Broken Gates.   Today, we cross a major threshold in our expedition through the Psalms. We are stepping into Book Five of the Psalter, the final collection of these ancient songs. We begin this new leg of the journey with Psalm One Hundred Seven, covering the first two stanzas, verses one through sixteen, in the New Living Translation. To understand the power of this moment, we must remember where we left off. In our previous trek, we stood at the end of Psalm One Hundred Six, which was the conclusion of Book Four. That psalm ended with a desperate, heartbreaking prayer from the exile: "Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations." It was a cry from the diaspora, a plea from a people scattered to the four winds because of their rebellion. They were asking God to reverse the judgment of the exile. Psalm One Hundred Seven is the thunderous answer to that prayer. If Psalm One Hundred Six ended with a plea to be gathered, Psalm One Hundred Seven begins with the celebration of the gathered. The tone shifts from petition to proclamation. It is a panoramic view of God's Redemption. It describes specific scenarios of human desperation—being lost in the desert, locked in a dungeon, sick unto death, or tossed in a storm—and shows how Yahweh intervenes to rescue. It is a psalm that celebrates the Hesed—the Unfailing Love—of God, which pursues us into the wildest wastelands and the darkest prisons. So, let us join the procession of the redeemed and listen to their stories. The first segment is: The Prologue: The Song of the Redeemed. Psalm One Hundred Seven: verses one through three. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.  For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south. The psalm opens with the classic liturgical call to worship, identifying the core motivation for all praise: God is Good, and His Faithful Love (Hesed) is eternal. But then, the psalmist turns to the congregation and issues a challenge: "Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!" The Hebrew word for "Redeemed" is Geulim. It comes from the word Ga'al, which refers to the Kinsman-Redeemer. This was the nearest male relative who had the legal responsibility to buy back a family member who had been sold into...

Kent Livingston teaches on 1 John 4:7-12.

Welcome to Day 2773 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2773 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 106:1-12 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2773 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred seventy-three of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The History of Rebellion – Grace at the Brink of the Sea.   Today, we stand at a pivotal junction in the book of Psalms. We are beginning our journey through Psalm One Hundred Six, covering the opening movement, verses one through twelve, in the New Living Translation. In our previous treks through Psalm One Hundred Five, we walked through the glittering gallery of Israel's history. We saw the faithfulness of God in calling Abraham, protecting the patriarchs, and bringing the nation out of Egypt loaded with silver and gold. It was a history written in major chords—a celebration of God's unbreakable promise and Israel's triumph. But today, the music changes. Psalm One Hundred Six covers the exact same historical period—the Exodus and the Wilderness—but it tells the story from the dark side. If Psalm One Hundred Five was about God's Faithfulness, Psalm One Hundred Six is about Israel's Faithlessness. It is a corporate confession. It admits that while God was remembering His covenant, the people were busy forgetting His miracles. It strips away the nostalgia and exposes the ugly truth: we are a people prone to rebellion. Yet, strangely, this dark confession begins with a shout of praise. Why? Because the only thing stronger than human rebellion is God's "Unfailing Love." So, let us look in the mirror of history and see if we recognize ourselves in the rebels at the Red Sea. The first segment is: The Hallelujah of the Sinner: Acknowledging Goodness. Psalm One Hundred Six: verses one through three. Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?  There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. The psalm opens with the same word that ended the previous psalm: "Hallelujah!" ("Praise the Lord!"). Even though the psalmist is about to recount a litany of national failures, he starts with the character of God: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." The word for "faithful love" is our covenant friend, Hesed. This is the anchor. The psalmist knows that if God's love were not enduring—if it were based on performance—Israel would have been wiped out long ago. He praises God before he confesses, because God's goodness provides the safety to be honest about our sin. He then asks a rhetorical question: "Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?" This links us back to...

The Hesed of the LORD Endures Forever; Hesed Saves and Nurtures Baby Moses; Hesed Saves Israel—The Passover; Hesed Nurtures Israel—From the Red Sea to Mount Sinai; Hesed Establishes the Work of Moses's HandsFind more at https://timharner.com

A group of my morning meditations about how THIS is the DAY that the LORD hath made and about how the Hesed of the LORD endures forever, redeems forever, and blesses forever.Find more at https://timharner.com

 In a world shaped by fear, division, and self-protection, what does biblical love actually look like?In this Advent message, Choosing Love in a Selfish World, we explore Isaiah's promise of Immanuel—God with us—and discover that God's response to fear is not control or power, but faithful, compassionate presence. Drawing from Scripture, the life of Jesus, and a deeply personal pastoral encounter, this message invites us to see love not as sentiment or comfort, but as courageous presence that refuses to abandon others in vulnerability.Biblical love shows up when answers are unavailable, when fear tempts us to withdraw, and when power feels safer than presence. Advent reminds us that love has already come down—and the question is whether we will choose to live that love now.Scripture: Isaiah 7:10–16 Series: Waking to God's Dream

The Lord is sovereign over all our circumstances, working His lovingkindness into our lives and through us to the world.

In this Advent episode, we step into Mary's song - the Magnificat - one of the most profound and disruptive prayers in Scripture. Luke 1:46–56 becomes our guide as we explore why this young woman's words have shaped centuries of faith, justice, and worship. We discover how the Greek word megaluno (“to magnify”) reframes our understanding of worship, how every line of the Magnificat draws from the Old Testament, and how Mary holds together God's past faithfulness, her present reality, and the unfolding hope of future generations.Taught by Dominic Done, this message moves into the heart of the Magnificat's theology: God as divine warrior who confronts injustice, and God as the giver of hesed - a steadfast, covenant love that meets us in humility and transforms us from within. We're invited to follow Mary's example by worshiping before the promise is fulfilled, trusting before the evidence appears, and choosing to magnify God rather than our fears or anxieties.For anyone wrestling with perspective, overwhelm, or the pull of negativity, this episode offers a simple but disruptive truth: what we magnify shapes who we become. In a world that fixates on the urgent and the fearful, Mary points us toward a better focus.Podcast Links:Pursuing Faith

A message from our sermon series Risen King - A study in 2 Samuel. 2 Samuel 9.

Episode 388: Holiness of Heart and Life In this episode, Tim and Sara explore Micah 6:6–8 and the Wesleyan invitation to holiness of heart and life. Through the lens of justice, kindness (Hesed), and humble walking with God, they unpack what true worship looks like; far beyond religious performance. Together, they reflect on how holiness is formed from the inside out, why justice is inseparable from faithful leadership, and how leaders can practice presence, integrity, and attentiveness in everyday life. Practical examples, honest wrestling, and timeless wisdom make this a rich conversation for anyone wanting to lead with Christlike character today. Read more on the episode page at https://transformingmission.og/388

What if the life we're meant to live is simpler — and deeper — than we've been told? Long before faith got tangled in rules and rituals, there was a call to something more human: do what's right, love with compassion, and live with humility. This November, we're exploring that call — not just as an idea, but as a way of life. If you're searching for meaning, justice, or a more grounded way to move through the world, this conversation is for you. No pressure. No pretending. Just real talk about what matters. Join Pastor Jared to learn more. Also, we highly encourage you to download the Church Center App if you want more information about the church. The app will be able to guide you toward our Calendar of Events, ways to Give, and fill out a Connect Card. 

Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells the famous story of Eliezer, Abraham's trusted servant, whom Abraham sent to find a suitable match for Abraham's son, Yishak. Upon arriving at the well outside Abraham's hometown, Aram Naharayim, from where Abraham instructed him to find the match, Eliezer prayed to G-d, begging for His assistance. He said that he would ask a girl at the well for some water, and he asked Hashem to arrange that the girl who not only agreed to give him water, but also offered to give water to his camels, should be the girl destined to marry Yishak. Sure enough, Eliezer saw Ribka – the daughter of Yishak's cousin, Betuel – at the well, and, not knowing who she was, he approached her and asked for water. She agreed, gave him water from her pitcher, and then said that she would draw water from the well for his camels. Ribka then proceeded to repeatedly draw water and pour it into the trough for all ten of Eliezer's camels. Surprisingly, the Torah tells that as Ribka was doing all this, Eliezer watched carefully, wondering "if G-d had made his mission successful or not" (24:21). It seems that even at this point, after Ribka offered to draw water for his camels, he was still not convinced. He needed to observe her throughout this process to determine whether or not she was indeed the right girl to marry Abraham's son. We must ask, what else did Ribka need to prove? Eliezer explicitly said that the suitable girl would be the one who responded to his request for water by offering to draw water for his camels. Why did he still need to wait while Ribka proceeded to draw the water before concluding that she was the one chosen by G-d to marry Yishak? Rav Leib Mintzberg (Jerusalem, 1943-2018), in his Ben Melech, explains that the quality of one's Hesed is not assessed merely by the practical results, by the tangible benefits that he provides. It is measured also by the way it is performed, by whether one helps his fellow graciously, warmly, with a smile, in a manner that makes the recipient feel comfortable and respected. We've all had different kinds of experiences when asking for a favor. Sometimes the person grants our request, but does so coldly, almost begrudgingly, giving us the feeling that he or she would have preferred not to have been bothered. And then there are times when the person does the favor happily, with a warm smile, asking if there's anything else we need, making us feel comfortable and at ease. This is a critically important component of Hesed. Indeed, the Gemara teaches in Masechet Baba Batra (9b) that one who gives money to somebody in need is rewarded with six blessings, whereas one who speaks words of comfort to that individual, lifting his spirits and giving him encouragement, receives eleven blessings – because making a person feel comfortable and at ease is a crucial aspect of kindness. This, Rav Mintzberg writes, is what Eliezer was watching for. Ribka already said that she would draw water for the camels – but Eliezer wanted to see if she would do it warmly and happily, which she of course did. Rav Mintzberg explains on this basis why, afterward, Eliezer gave Ribka as a gift two bracelets and a nose ring, adorning her hands and her face. This symbolizes the fact that she excelled in both aspects of Hesed – the action, and the demeanor. She exerted physical effort to draw a large amount of water for Eliezer's camels, but she also helped him with her face, by wearing a warm smile, by showing her eagerness to help. And these two elements – the act of Hesed, coupled with her warmth and graciousness – are what made Ribka worthy of marrying Yishak and becoming a matriarch of Hashem's treasured nation.

路得记2:17-23

The scripture this morning was Micah 6:8. Rev. Laura Mayo gave the Proclamation.

Morgan Matthews and Melissa Herring share on the the Steadfast and Loyal love of The Lord.

To love others as we should, we first need to understand how deeply and irrevocably God loves His people. Today, Barry Cooper explains a Hebrew word that should profoundly affect our view of the Lord. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/hesed/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

There is a wonderful book that I often recommend:How to avoid marry a JERK.  by John van Epp. The idea is to use the dating period to get a current and past track record of data, and not discount red flags and turn them into pink flags. Do a hard target investigation into the character of your dating partner, so as to reliably predict the future with them. Ferret out whether they are a JERK, or their character is trustworthy enough to marry. I'm going to steal that idea spiritually:How to avoid TRUSTING a JERK andHow to avoid worshipping a JERK. 7 minute. Subscribe. or comment : https://youtu.be/EAaVQ1Zbz_UHere is the Bible Study called HESED, mentioned in the Podcast:https://www.amazon.com/Hesed-Bible-Study-Gods-Steadfast/dp/B096TW9BRD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39ITS8H7CIK9E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BHusPEeANYxQtJ9q-MXniGTEJktuff5tMt7jN9HwptzGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.k3VE0PIknfVDW_tUwcSLYxcBaVE8SA60e3UxF8shGv0&dib_tag=se&keywords=hesed+cara+smith&qid=1759658156&sprefix=hesed+cara+smith%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div

Naomi needs to find her way home, but she tries to keep Ruth from coming with her. Our text in this study is: Ruth 1:3-15 Series: The Gleaning Lady Gene Pensiero Jr Find the rest of the series at https://calvaryhanford.com/thegleaninglady Subscribe on YouTube at: https://youtube.com/calvaryhanford Read the notes at: https://calvaryhanford.substack.com Find audio, video, and text […]

Naomi needs to find her way home, but she tries to keep Ruth from coming with her. Our text in this study is: Ruth 1:3-15 Series: The Gleaning Lady Gene Pensiero Jr Find the rest of the series at https://calvaryhanford.com/thegleaninglady Subscribe on YouTube at: https://youtube.com/calvaryhanford Read the notes at: https://calvaryhanford.substack.com Find audio, video, and text […]

Psalm 94 WorksheetNKJV Heading – God the refuge of the righteous.God is the righteous ____________________ who will have the last word V. 1-2Notice in verse 1 He ___________________ the thought – “You heard me right, God is a God of righteous judgment! Lament over the wicked's arrogant words ____________________ God V. 3-7“How long?” – the cry of saints in both testaments when they see _______________________ in the world.Deuteronomy 21:1-9 The Proverbs 31 man James 1 – pure religion The wicked are so arrogant they say Israel's God either doesn't exist, doesn't care, or is _________________ to do anything to stop them. God knows the wicked are __________________ Him V. 8-11In verse 8 the Psalmist challenges the ignorant and/or wicked to ‘__________________ up' before the patient God of vengeance deals with them in judgment. Verse 11 has another reference to God's omniscience – His _________________ knowledge of all things.God will eventually right things for His people who _________________ Him V. 12-21The word blessed in verse 12 is a ‘call back' to Psalm ___________ – Delight in God's law, apply it obediently, and you will be okay in the coming day of reversals. Verse 14 reminds us that even though earthly rulers now _____________________ us, there will be days of righteousness coming for God's people (Acts 3:19-21)Verse 18 reminds us of Deuteronomy 32:5, the verse used when Jonathan Edwards preached the Great Awakening. Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. -Deuteronomy 32:35We often speak of the imminence of the Second Coming of Jesus. By that we mean that it ‘___________________________' what happens on earth now, promising a time when God will square all accounts before people live on either the new earth or lake of fire. But notice what the Psalmist who trusted in God preaches to himself in verse 18 – Your mercy (Hesed) will hold me up, so I won't slide down to Hell. Hesed is God's steadfast love. The word (H2617) occurs 240 times in the Old Testament; 139 of those are in the poetic books; 127 are in the Psalms. The word occurs in ________________ Psalms (0ver 1/3rd!). Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 37:4! Verses 20-21 remind us that wicked politicians are _____________________ when they claim to know God but legislate immorality. God is the righteous judge who will have the last word V. 22-23Verse 1 started the Psalm with double emphasis on God's vengeance; Verse 23 ends the Psalm with double emphasis on the wicked being cut off! Note clearly that the call is not to take matters into our own hands but ________________________ by faith in God to have the final word. Psalm 37Job 19:23-27Psalm 37 helps us understand the hope of Old Testament saints – not being forever with God on a cloud, but being forever with God on a ____________________ earth that the wicked don't get to inhabit any more. The book of Jonah shows God graciously extending his ‘Hesed' to the wicked Ninevites when they repented. Even as we warn the wicked, hold out the gospel of __________________ to those who repent!

Send us a textPresident Russell M. Nelson once spoke to Church leaders about Hesed, covenantal love. In this episode, I ask questions that I believe President Nelson answers in this talk. I believe it is one of the most important messages he has ever given in his very long ministry. So, this is my gift to him on his 101st birthday--to re-read his words and try to live them in my own life.__________________________Do you have questions or comments?Please contact me: rtosguthorpe@gmail.comWant more info about my books and talks?Go to my website: https://www.russelltosguthorpe.com/Want to order a book? Just go to Amazon and type in Russell T. Osguthorpe Want to access my YouTube channel:https://youtube.com/@russellt.osguthorpe497Want know more about the music on this podcast? We are blessed to have M. Diego Gonzalez as a regular contributor of songs he has arranged, performed, and recorded especially for this podcast. My wife and I became acquainted with Diego when he was serving a as missionary in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. We were so impressed with his talent, we asked if he would compose and perform songs for Filled With His Love. He thankfully agreed. Hope you enjoy his work!Want to boost your mood and make someone's day?Go to the App store on your iPhone, and download the app—Boonto.Want a good introduction to my book? Morgan Jones Pearson interviewed me on the All-In Podcast, and it was one of the top 10 episodes of 2022. Here's the link:https://www.ldsliving.com/2022-in-review-top-10-all-in-podcast-episod...

Vern Streeter | Guest Speaker | August 31, 2025 Referenced Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22 Big Idea: Like Naomi you can go from emptiness to fullness by trusting God's providence, living a life of Hesed, and believing God has a beautiful plan for your life and legacy. I. Boaz to the Rescue (4:1-12) II. Emptiness to FULLNESS (Hint: “Liquid Gold!”) (4:13-17a) III. One more delightful, and inspiring, surprise (4:17b-22) Reflection Questions: 1. What did you like about Ruth chapter 4? 2. What has been your favorite part of the book of Ruth? 3. Talk about your own emptiness and fullness these days. 4. Who in your life needs you to advocate for them? 5. How do you feel knowing that Ruth is in the ancestral line of Jesus Christ? What's your next step? * Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard * Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children * Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students * Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give * Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman * Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app * Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - A Moment of Personal Appreciation for Journey Church(00:01:04) - Ruth Chapter 4, The Life of Ruth(00:02:29) - The Book of Ruth(00:10:03) - Boaz the Redeemer and Naomi's(00:16:52) - Boaz the Kinsman Redeemer(00:19:50) - Deuteronomy 7, The Sandal Changes Hands(00:25:30) - Ruth vs Naomi(00:32:38) - The Family Line of Ruth and King David(00:38:46) - Jesus Says, You're Coming With Me

Ruth: Meditations on God's KindnessHebrews 11:6Philanthropy in the US began in the colonial period with the Puritans. They believed in not just supporting the poor and needy but strove beyond that to help the colonies as a whole. Men such as Cotton Mather, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere exemplified this model and had tremendous impact on the development of the country. When these men gave aid and helped ensure the hungry were fed, children were looked after, and education was accessible, no one turned away their gifts.According to Psalm 119:68, God is the greatest Benefactor, for all He does is good. Again, in Romans 8:28 it says that He causes everything to work for good for those who love Him. How often do you find yourself asking for and accepting His goodness? Do you feel too undeserving to accept His gifts? We wrap up our series Ruth: Meditations on God's Kindness tomorrow morning with one final look at God's hesed towards His children.

Vern Streeter | Guest Speaker | August 24, 2025 Referenced Scripture: Ruth 3 Big Idea: God is a creative provider because at His core He is a God of Hesed…Ruth did it; Boaz did it; and we can do it too! Reflection Questions: 1. What did you learn from Ruth Chapter 3 and how did that impact/help you?2. How has Ruth, the person, challenged or affirmed your perception of female roles? (For instance she proposed to Boaz…)3. How uncomfortable are you with Boaz being in “good spirits” and Ruth, all dolled up, lying down next to him rather intimately?4. Naomi is still empty but there seems to be some hope now that Boaz is actively in the picture. Talk about your personal experience with emptiness and fullness.5. What definition/synonym for Hesed was particularly meaningful for you and why? What's your next step? Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Book of Ruth, Week 3(00:07:08) - Ruth the Lion's Perfume(00:13:48) - The Message of Naomi's Advice to Ruth(00:20:13) - The Woman at His Feet(00:24:31) - Ruth and Boaz(00:31:02) - The Wait for Naomi and Ruth(00:33:11) - Understanding Chesed in a Moment(00:36:30) - During Communion, a time of reflection and worship

One of the Birkot Ha'shahar is "Ha'noten La'sechvi Bina La'havhin Ben Yom U'ben Layla." The common translation of this blessing is, "…who gives the rooster the understanding to distinguish between day and night." According to this understanding, this Beracha praises G-d for granting the rooster the wondrous ability to know that dawn has occurred, when the first rays of light appear on the eastern sky. The moment of dawn is not readily discernible to the naked eye (as opposed to the sunrise, which is clearly seen), and yet the rooster has the ability to know when this occurs, and to crow to wake people up. Others, however, interpret the word "Sechvi" to mean "heart." According to this understanding, the Beracha "Ha'noten La'sechvi Bina" thanks Hashem for giving us human beings the wisdom of distinction, to differentiate between day and night, between right and wrong, and between truth and falsehood. The Arizal advanced a deeper understanding of this Beracha, according to the teachings of Kabbalah. He said that at night, when dark falls, strict judgment descends into the world, which poses danger. For this reason, the Kabbalists in earlier generations would go to sleep right at nightfall. At Hasot (Halachic midnight), the Arizal taught, the judgments become "sweetened," and are less strict. This process unfolds gradually until morning, when the attribute of Hesed, divine kindness, prevails. Therefore, the righteous Kabbalists would arise at midnight and pray until the morning. The Arizal explained on this basis why we find two Hebrew words for nighttime – "Layil" and "Layla." The difference between them is the letter Heh, which is added to the word "Layil" to form "Layla." In Kabbalah, the letter Heh signifies a sphere called "Bina" (literally, "understanding"), which is also called "Ima" – "mother." A mother, even when she needs to deal strictly with her children to educate them, always feels a significant measure of love and compassion toward them. The term "Layla," then, which ends with the letter Heh, refers to the second half of the night, when the strict judgments are mitigated by love and kindness. The word "Layil" refers to the first part of the night, when the judgments are as yet unmitigated. The Arizal explained that in the Beracha "Ha'noten La'sechvi Bina," we refer to the angel Gabriel, whose name signifies the attribute of "Gebura" (literally, "power"), which is associated with strict judgment. Starting at Hasot, Hashem lends Gabriel the quality of "Bina," sweetening the judgments until morning. (Needless to say, these are very deep concepts which lie beyond our comprehension and require further study.) Ashkenazim recite a slightly different text of this Beracha – "Asher Natan La'sechvi Bina La'havhin Ben Yom U'ben Layla," based on a verse in the Book of Iyob ("O Mi Natan La'sechvi Bina" – 38:36). This version is formulated in past tense, praising G-d "who has granted" this wisdom. Sephardic tradition, however, teaches that this Beracha, like all the morning blessings, should be recited in the present tense. The Aruch Ha'shulhan (Rav Yehiel Michel Epstein of Nevardok, 1829-1908) explains that Birkot Ha'shahar are formulated in the present tense because Hashem creates the world anew at every moment, and thus all the phenomena for which we praise Him in these Berachot are occurring right now, at this very moment. As we say in the morning prayer service, in the first Beracha before Shema, "Ha'mehadesh Be'tubo Be'chol Yom Tamid Ma'aseh Bereshit" – Hashem constantly renews the act of creation, each and every day. A human being who creates – such as a carpenter, who produces a piece of furniture – makes his creation and then leaves it and completely disengages. Hashem, however, did not create the world just once – He is constantly creating it anew. Thus, we thank Hashem who is granting us the ability to see at this moment, who is giving us clothing to wear at this moment, who is giving us the ability to stand up straight at this moment, and so on. This fundamental concept has crucially important ramifications for our Emuna (faith), our belief that situations can change. No matter what we're going through, whatever problem or crisis we're facing, we need to believe that the current moment is not connected to the previous moment, and the next moment in the future has no connection to the current moment. Hashem is constantly creating anew, and so at any moment in time He can create an entirely new reality. A deaf person recites this Beracha, even though he cannot hear the rooster's crow in the morning, for several reasons. Firstly, as discussed, this Beracha has a number of different meanings, and does not necessarily refer only to the crowing of the rooster. Additionally, Halacha follows the opinion that Birkot Ha'shahar are recited to thank Hashem not for one's having personally experienced the phenomena mentioned in these blessings, but rather for the phenomena themselves, for the very fact that Hashem has made them part of the natural order. Hence, even if a person does not personally benefit from the crowing of the rooster, he is required to praise Hashem for making this happen each morning.

Embracing Hesed by Cornwall Church