Hope that Rends the Dark Veil

 

         Soul (mind, will, intellect, and emotions) is the intellectual property endowed to man, from above. If the soul is well, all is well and vice versa. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” Heb.6: 19 (KJV). This describes the anchor of the soul, which is firm and secure, in times faced with insurmountable problems.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. (Prov. 13:12) NLT. 

 

      Hebrew word for soul: nephesh: a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion (Strong's Concordance). Accordingly, the Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ‎, nephesh, although translated as "soul" in some older English-language Bibles, actually has a meaning closer to "living being". Nephesh was translated into Greek in the Septuagint as ψυχή (psūchê), using the Greek word for "soul". The New Testament also uses the word ψυχή, but with the Hebrew meaning and not the Greek. (Wikipedia).

 

      Hymnal Whispering Hope composed by Septimus Winner, 1968, speaks volumes on hope.  Hope is very silent in its approach, grows moment by moment, brings a sweet promise of tomorrow in the darkest night with brilliant sunrise. Storms of life are short lived but brings the peace of nature always. O LORD my God, “I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.  O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.  Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For His anger endures for a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psa: 30: 2-5 (KJV).

 

      Hope, in Hebrew Tikvah (תִּקְוָה) is interwoven in our fabric as human beings. 

      Faith, in Hebrew is אֱמוּنָה (emunah), meaning \"support\". (Hebrew word study)

 

        “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb 11:1 (KJV) We find hope and faith are intertwined in this verse. The relationship between hope and faith are very essential for the well being of a person, both spiritual and emotional and God had made it this way for the necessary fulfilling of life. This involves a trusting relationship in the person of Jesus Christ (who is the door, the way, and the light of hope) in a very substantial way, to overcome the challenges of life to achieve the goals to become the person God wants us to be!  

       The stars of heaven twinkle brightly in the deep darkness of night, to guide us. The Anchor of Hope fastened on the Rock tears the dark veil. The grave, which is conquered at the cross, which tore the Temple veil, gives one hope, faith and courage to walk through the veils of our private life. The grave is robbed of its captivity, and the tomb a borrowed one as in the Garden, for those who are called according to His purpose.  As Evening Star brightens our dark night, The Morning Star at daybreak, which symbolizes the Presence of Christ in our earthly walk gives us courage, faith and hope in the presence of tumultuous times! – The Hope that Rends the Dark Veil.

Beautiful!

He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also, he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end; Ecc. 3:11 (KJV). Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.; Ecc. 3:11 (NLT).

In Hebrew, beautiful is called, yapheh:  יָפֶה. In semitic root word, the word is used by craftsmen who design, precisely, in right settings, build something, which stands out in appearance, which could bring intense pleasure and deep satisfaction to one’s mind. (Hebrew word study). 

Recently, my late-night flight from Washington D.C to my home, I was at the window seat gazing at the aircraft, descending. Just around 30 minutes to landing I was blessed to see the heavenly displayed ray of colours with much excitement: arura, shooting stars, enormous number of brightly shone stars and couple of planets, visible in size at least 6 times bigger than what we normally view with our naked eye standing on earth. I was reminded with awe and excitement of “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psa: 19:1, (KJV).

         There are two times in God’s Word, where we notice the heavens heralded with songs, at the grandeur of moments! The first time was at the moment of creation; “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job: 38: 4-7.

          The second time was when the angels heralded singing at the coming of the New Creation in Christ, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luk: 2:13-14. “The first preacher of the gospel was an angel. God hath now taken this honour from the angels, and put it upon the ministers, who in Scripture are called angels, Rev: 2:1.” (Trapp)

The Divine Maestro: Hebrew word is, מאסטרו אלוהי (maestra alohi), which means, heavenly master, organizer, the eminent composer, conductor, usually of art and music. (Hebrew word study). Maestro (/ˈmaɪstroʊ/; from the Italian maestro [maˈestro; maˈɛstro], meaning "master" or "teacher")^[1] is an honorific title of respect (plural: maestros or maestri). The term is most commonly used in the context of Western classical music and opera, in line with the ubiquitous use of Italian musical terms. (Wikipedia)

Enigma of Love

 

The word love can be ambiguous, enigmatic, opaque, puzzling, and obscure without much clarity, when the meaning of love is only partly understood!  Humanity, searches for love, and is an ongoing search in their hearts, and often it is searched in the wrong places.

Ahava (אהבה) – is a Hebrew word meaning “love”. It is often used to refer to the love between two people but can also be used to refer to love for God, family, friends, and humanity in general.(Hebrew word study)

Heart is the seat of all emotions, and we make choices, based on our emotional intelligence. The words heart and mind are interchangeably used throughout Scriptures.  So, the concept of the “heart” can be better understood as our inner person. The inner person: becomes the seat of our mind (thought), emotions (feelings), and will (intentions); Prov. 4:23. Now, “soul” consists of mind, will, intellect and emotions. When we remember these concepts, it helps further in our understanding of what Scripture says about love below:

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres; 1 Coir. 13:4-7 (NIV).

 “The love on which a beautiful love is built is a persevering flame burning as brightly at the beginning as it does later on.” (Glickman)

Love is the attribute of God, 1 Jn. 4:8.  In a “nutshell” as fallen human beings we are unable to love someone as they longed to be loved. This is because, no other human being is able to fill the void/ vacuum/ the spiritual ache/ longing to be loved, and longing for eternity which God has placed within us. We love because He loved us; 1 Jn. 4:19. Show us how to love like You have loved us, break our heart for what breaks Your heart, and open the eyes of our heart to the things unseen, for Your Kingdom’s sake, as we walk from earth to eternity!    

Love that never fails!

 Love is the word we hear around the globe, and has a very intoxicating effect, and a common denominator in every kind of relationship, despite different cultures, races, ethnicity, and religious beliefs. Sometimes, it is very unfortunate, when someone claims they love someone else, that saying is ambiguous, enigmatic, opaque, puzzling, and obscure without much clarity. This is because understanding the meaning of love is hard!  Humanity, searches for love, and is an ongoing search in their hearts, and often it is searched in the wrong places. Let us search couple of Hebrew words for further understanding.

The Hebrew verb אהב (ahav, pronounced ah-HAV, with the final bet pronounced as a "v") is a Biblical Hebrew word meaning "to love." The noun form of this word is אהבה (ahavah, pronounced ah-ha-VAH) meaning "love." Ahav and ahavah cover a broad spectrum of concepts of love.[1]

The Hebrew word often translated “heart” is the word lev, לב. Although lev is frequently translated as “heart,” it should be rendered “mind.” This information is actually very important for accurate reading of many Biblical texts.[2]

"Heart" (Hebrew lebab/leb [b'bel], Gk. kardia [kardiva]) occurs over one thousand times in the Bible, making it the most common anthropological term in the Scripture. It denotes a person's centre for both physical and emotional-intellectual-moral activities; sometimes it is used figuratively for any inaccessible thing.[3]

Heart is the seat of all emotions, and we make choices, based on emotional intelligence. So the concept of the “heart” can be better understood as our inner person. The inner person: becomes the seat of  our mind (thought), emotions (feelings), and will (intentions); Prov. 4:23. Now, “soul” consists of mind, will, intellect and emotions. When we remember these concepts, it helps further in our understanding of what Scripture says about love below:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres; 1 Coir. 13:4-7 (NIV).

These verses are self-explanatory: Love in otherwards goes beyond politeness, it is kind and is acting for the good of others even when it does not benefit ourselves. When apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian church, it looks like envy was very active in the church. When we stop comparing ourselves with Christ (in which all of us fall short), and compare ourselves with others, it  becomes a fertile ground for envy to breed. One can envy on spiritual gifts, and also on financial and educational successes. Love is the greatest, because it is the attribute of God, 1 Jn. 4:8.  So, it is clear that love for one another must take precedent over getting our own way with regards to any gifts God has given for His children.

In the earthly ministry Jesus, moved with compassion, with all kinds of people, loved them unconditionally, taught them to love and honour others. He loved, Judas the betrayer, the sexual libertine the woman at the well, the conniving financial cheat Zacchaeus, the disciple Peter who denied him three times, and many more who were caught up in the downward spiral of bitterness, hatred, remorse, regrets, and caught up in sin. The perfect, sinless Saviour taught us to love others  despite their dire circumstances and taught us to love and honour our neighbours.

Place me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned; Song of Sol: 8:6-7. (Song of Solomon is also called Canticle of Canticles and Songs of Songs).

The picture of love painted in Song of Sol. 8:6-7; is: love is set as seal on the heart and arm. This belong to those who are willing to give up something for themselves (their wants) to another person who is also willing to give up something they want in return. The bond of love needs to be continuously nourished, cherished and regarded as permanent. It is permanent like death, so one must take care, how, where, and with whom this spark is ignited. Love is not a piece of merchandize and must be appreciated and not taken for granted.   

“Your love to Christ especially lacks the genuine stamp if it is never roused to jealousy by the malice of foes and the faithlessness of professed friends of our Lord. (Spurgeon)

 “The love on which a beautiful love is built is a persevering flame burning as brightly at the beginning as it does later on.” (Glickman)

In a “nutshell” as fallen human beings we are unable to love someone as they longed to be loved. This is because, no other human being is able to fill the void/ vacuum/ the spiritual ache/ longing to be loved, and longing for eternity which God has placed within us. We love because He loved us; 1 Jn. 4:19.

 

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[1] Hebrew word for love: https://www.google.com/search?q=hebrew+word+for+love&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Hebrew+

[2] Is it heart or lev in Hebrew? Hebrew?https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+hebrew+word&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Heart+Hebrew+word&aqs

[3] What is the Bible term for the heart? https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+hebrew+word&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Heart+Hebrew+word&aq

 

More than Conquerors

 

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord; Rom.8: 33-39 (KJV).

 

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?  When one is declared not guilty, by the highest judge, that person is secure from every charge, and no one else can add additional charge. Who is he who condemns?  As a result, one is free and secure from all other condemnation. The reason being Jesus Christ being our advocate is promoting our benefits, because of what He did on the cross, purging our sins, and this nullifies all other condemnation! More than conquerors through Him who loved us, means no matter what our circumstances, or our sufferings of our present time can separate us from the love of God, because of Christ.

 

What does More than conquerors mean? In weaknesses, God’s power, exceeds, and every believer with a greater love provided from above, can conquer the enemies with Christ’s love and converting persecutors with patience.

Our thoughts may sink, our hopes may run out, the day may groan, our hearts’ string may snap, our soul may be in anguish, sin- burdened souls may writhe in pain and despair, may be reaping tares despite sowing wheat, struggling to rise up in the morning one may stumble and fall, as clouds of regrets of life assail, loss of direction for life, left us without peace, the toil of years, struggles and fears and anxiety encircles, and scenes of distress continues: remember the fullness of His blessing encompasses one’s way according to the riches of His glory.

Security of a believer in God’s love, Rom 8:39, meant, absolutely, nothing, which appears to be good, or appear to be evil shall be able to separate a genuine believer from the love of God, because His love is vast, wide, high, and deep, broader than the broadest sea, beyond any human expression with our limited eloquence!

Times and seasons changes, everything we see around us changes but God’s love in Christ endures for ever, and tides of joy in softest murmurs continue to roll and brings ray of bright hope!