You get to do a lot of thinking when you're convalescing, the more so when you're in pain and struggling to get the sleep you need. I'll not deny some days have been hell. Others are just plain boring. Today I was horrified to learn that a friend's son, who years ago in one of the greatest travesties of justice in Sweden, was kidnapped by the state for being legally homeschooled, had subsequently been abused by his imposed foster parents. The parents, who have been through so much despair already, were once again in agony. It made my blood boil and my heart cry out for justice. Why have these innocents been subject to so much state torture? And why has this monstrous state apparatus, from the social services to the juduciary, been allowed to get away with such vile crimes? [1] As Russian President Vladimir Putin said, a nation that does not protect its children has no future. Yes, judgment is coming, and it is cloming swiftly and harshly to the perpetrators, each and every one. The Righteous Judge will make sure they pay to the last farthing.

So how do we reconcile Yahweh's promises of protection with the undeniable fact that so many evil things happen in our lives? I'll not deny I haven't agonised over this question to the point of sometimes getting quite upset and desperate myself. Does not the Bible promise protection - and especially physical protection - for covenant faithfulmess? Yes it does, and especially in the Tanakh (Old Testament).

However, it is also clear that Yahweh does not always protect His people from harm. Though He has the absolute power to do so - both physically and spiritually - He gives us the freedom of choice to act in our lives, whether to obey or disobey Him. And like it or not, disobedience often results in His protective shield being withdrawn. Admittedly this is a deep mystery, but then freedom is an awful responsibility. The flesh will in any case complain either way - whether we are free or not - because we none of us like consequences. None of us likes being held to account.

It was man's disobedience which brought evil into the world and it is man's continuing disobedience which is causing it to multiply, and whether we are the 'good' or 'bad' guys, we all pay a price for it. Yahweh does not cancel out the effects of this disobedience, even for His choicest servants:

"Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated" (Heb.11:35-37, NIV).

Nevertheless we also have great and glorious promises:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Elohim (God) that is in Messiah Yah'shua (Christ Jesus) our Master (Lord)" (Rom.8:35-39, NIV).

I know this answer will not satisfy many of you but I believe we can rest assured that we are invulnerable so long as Yahweh does not give permission for us to be hurt. If He gives that permission, He will not leave us alone. He goes with us through the valley, the deep water or the furnace. He will never, absolutely never, leave us or forsake us.

Living the victorious life in Messiah must, I believe, thoroughly incorporate this truth. I believe those who believe the lie that the faithful never get hurt will fail to overcome in this life and may actually fall away, for it is unrealistic to expect what we have not necessarily been promised. Why else would Yahweh tell Cain:

"You will be accepted if you respond in the right way" (Gen.4:7, NLT).

The nature of our response to situations, especially those which make no sense to those of us who have only a very limited grasp of the bigger picture or the reasons why Yahweh permits unpleasant things to happen to us sometimes (that's everyone, by the way), will shape our futures. Obedience can only follow if first we choose to believe:

"For every child of Elohim (God) defeats this evil world by trusting Messiah to give the victory" (1 Jn.5:4, NLT).

In other words, if we are willing, Elohim (God) will not only help us defeat sin in our lives but guarantees our ultimate victory over sin. But the choice is always ours - the choice to trust Him or not - "the answer is in Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) our Master (Lord)" (Rom.7:25, NLT)

We all grow up facing challenges and little adversities when we are young and know what it is like to triumph over these. Scripture promises us victories far greater and of more lasting value than those childhood overcomings. We can experience spiritual victory over sin and death, a victory both sure and final through Messiah's victory over sin and death on the cross. By putting on His spiritual armour (Eph.6:10-18), Yahweh provides those invisible weapons we need to defeat the enemy. However, this does require on our part a commitment to vigorous spiritual training and preparation.

This is not some impossible, olympian task which only a specialised élite could ever handle. For the Scripture proclaims:

"Yahweh has announced His victory and has revealed His righteousness to every nation!" (Ps.98:2, NLT).

It is visible for those who choose to see it! And He demonstrates covenant faithfulness to those who submit to His ways:

"He has remembered His chesed (love, mercy)
and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our Elohim (God)" (Ps.98:3, NIV).

In other words, Israel - now Messianic Israel (not the political entity in the Middle East) - is His global showpiece by which the nations may view His chesed (mery, love). Those who trust in the Saviour and obey His Torah (Law) are both the evidence and the invitation:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt.5:14-16, NIV).

Your visible victories through trust in, and obedience to, Messiah are what kindle hope in the lost and struggling. When they see that "overwhelming victory is ours through Messiah, who loved us" (Rom.8:37, NLT), they are given that boost of emunah (faith) that enables Yahweh use them as tinder to set them on fire for His Son and Kingdom. Every little victory - mine and yours - counts both for our own encouragement and the encouragement of those who are watching us. We help one another by overcoming! We are inspired and motivated by it! When people can see it can be done, because it is being done before their very eyes, hope and courage are born to make something good happen with our lives. Our being here is not in vain. We didn't just 'drop out of the sky' like Mr.Bean to stumble around and make asses of ourselves. We have a royal assignment, 'great' and 'small'. Everyone has.

So much happens for the good that is edifying when Yahweh's people are seen to be victors, a reason, I believe, He permits and wills us to go through some unpleasant things that may initially make no sense whatsoever. Standard-bearers are not just decorative pieces for parades. They show what Messiah can do, does, and will do for those who trust in Him. Indeed, so as to give pride no glory whatsoever, "He chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful" (1 Cor.1:27, NLT). Believers may not be 'winners' by the world's standards, but we have been chosen for glory by Elohim (God):

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But Elohim (God) chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; Elohim (God) chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Messiah Yah'shua (Christ Jesus), who has become for us wisdom from Elohim (God) - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in Yahweh' (Jer.9:23)" (1 Cor.1:26-31, NIV).

All, then, who trust and obey become 'winners' in that which has eternal value - character redemption (1 Jn.3:2). Our greatest victory is receiving Yahweh's gift of salvation, which has been won by Messiah. It's out of that thet every lasting and worthwhile victory proceeds. For the saved may know these three things with absolute surety:

• 1. Yahweh will live amongst us forever (Zeph.3:17);
• 2. Yahweh has conquered all our enemies (Jn.16:33); and
• 3. Yahweh will rule forever (Rev.11:15)

I don't know what it is you are personally struggling with today but I know for sure you are struggling with something. Final outcomes are great to talk about for they boost our emunah (faith). But we also need resources for the present struggle for as long as it lasts. I am writing this today having had barely four hours of sleep and dealing with the aftermath of coming off an opioid pain-killer yesterday following heart surgery. I want to crawl out of my skin. I have had some horrid experiences with this drug which causes hallucinations. This happens to be my present struggle. Now I must go and do battle with an insurance agent following a flood we had in our home. I want to sleep so badly but another enemy, Fibromyalgia, will not allow me to lie down! So this message is as much for me as it is for you. We're all in this together. Yahweh does His perfecting using ways and methods mysterious and frustrating to us. However, I am convinced He knows what He is doing. So let's be encouraged!

Endnotes

[1] See the Domenic Johansson story

Acknowledgements

[1] Elisabth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart (Revel, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1995), p.55