THE SET-APART LIFE DEVOTIONAL - Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 AD
Yom Shlishi, 17th of Tamuz, 5784 (Hebrew Calendar)
Go, and you shall cry in the hearing of Yerushalayim, saying, ‘Thus said Yahweh, “I remember you, the loving-commitment of your youth, the love of your bridehood, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 2:2 TS2009 [The Scriptures]
In our spiritual journeys, it’s crucial to frequently reflect on the nature of our relationship with Elohim, especially in terms of our impulsiveness in showing kindness and love to others. Often, the dynamics of this relationship can mirror the ebbs and flows found in human connections—where initial fervor might cool into a calmer, sometimes complacent, association. This self-inquiry, “Am I as spontaneously kind to Elohim as I used to be, or am I only expecting Elohim to be kind to me?” prompts a deep reflection about our spiritual reciprocity. Are our actions and thoughts effortlessly woven with small, yet profound gestures that delight Elohim? Or have we become embittered, silently tallying our grievances when life doesn’t conform to our expectations? The realization that there is no joy in a soul that has drifted from understanding what truly pleases Elohim is stark; it challenges us to rekindle that innate goodness and altruism that first drew us closer to Elohim.
The narrative of Yeshua asking the Samaritan woman for a drink illustrates a pivotal aspect of our relationship with Elohim—He counts on our spontaneous sparks of goodness and charity. This interaction is not just a biblical anecdote; it is emblematic of the broader, enduring expectation that we, too, should act with spontaneous joy and love for the sake of Elohim’s reputation among others. The question then arises: are we responsive to Elohim’s needs as profoundly as we seek His responses to our prayers? Acknowledging that “Elohim needs you” is a powerful reminder of our potential impact in upholding and spreading His love and message. It calls us back to the essence of our belief, where our actions and choices resonate beyond personal deliverance to actively shaping how the world perceives His presence and benevolence.
Reflecting on the initial stages of our spiritual devotion—when our actions were uncalculated and our love for Elohim was extravagant—can be both illuminating and sobering. Elohim cherishes these memories of our early zeal, as He reminds us through His words, “I remember you, the loving-commitment of your youth.” This reminiscence invites us to evaluate whether we have shifted from being utterly selfless in our devotion to becoming guarded and calculative. Have we started measuring our acts of service, silently negotiating our investments in our relationship with Elohim based on perceived returns of respect or blessings? Such reflection is vital for realizing that if Elohim no longer occupies the same cherished space in our hearts, it should indeed stir a profound sense of shame and an impetus for genuine repentance. Through this process, we can rediscover the joy of unreservedly loving and serving Elohim, thereby restoring the depth and sincerity of our spiritual connection.
Trevor Winchell