We live in a world that is trapped in the clutches of pain and suffering. Although we try to put a good face on things, the ravages of sin, sickness and despair are all around us. One does not need to travel to the slums of Bangladesh or visit the survivors of terrorism at Hadassah Hospital, Israel to find it … It can be found in our own city, within our own community and for some, within our own hearts and homes. We are conditioned by both pop-psychology and certain religious influences that admitting such is both unhealthy and only works to show weakness. But the truth still remains: life can be very difficult! Nevertheless, in the midst of such difficultly, those who have come to faith in the Messiah have an assurance that no earthly trouble can strip away. For we can rest in the confidence that the L-rd will be with us to the end, never abandoning us to our circumstances or fear!

As I sit and write this I do so not in the theoretical manner where I might choose to just blurt out some seemingly useless theological hyperbole that may look good within a Seminary text book, but is instead from the pages of my own life. As we move into the month of January (Tevet) and transition into 2006, I myself face the transition of moving into my forth month of Disability as a result of complicated health issues. Earlier this fall I was found to have Epididymitis – and now after months of poking and prodding of Doctors and Lab Technicians and an endless battery of medical tests, the Specialists are at a loss to finding a solution to my physical problems or even an exhaustive diagnosis to my ills. It is here that I desire to explore with you the words of our L-rd that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13: 5-6)

We live in a society of "pat" answers, where our culture has conditioned us to ask how one is doing, where they really do not want the answer. We as Americans are afraid of vulnerability and weakness, even though it is in this state that we are called to come to

G-d and receive His healing. We are exhorted to come to Yeshua not as mighty men and women of valor, but as little children. It is there in such frailty and need that G-d can best use us and lift us up. For when we come to the end of ourselves and only find Him and His loving-kindness, then are we best suited to move into the call He has for us. It has been through my own recent ordeals and trials that I have come to know the grace, mercy and comfort of Adonai like never before. This is not to say that for one to experience the depths which G-d has for them they must be laid flat on their back with illness, but as we are brought to a place where we "experience" the reality that Yeshua is ALL that really matters, it is there one will find an intimacy with G-d that no circumstance or trial can take away! It is in this that Yeshua can use us the most, … not when we think we have all the answers and can take the world on by storm – but when we are broken before Him and as empty vessels all we can be is filled up by His love and Shekhinah glory! This is why our Mashiach could tell us in the Gospels, "… If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." (Luke 9:23, 24, NASB).

It is here that those of us of our L-rd's Messianic Community must seek to Serve, Adore and Worship our Risen Messiah! Not only on the hilltops of blessing where all seems to be going our way, but in the valleys of loneliness and pain were as with King David were we can do is call out to Him saying "For you are the G-d of my strength; why have you thrust me aside? Why must I go on about mourning, under pressure by the enemy? Send out your light and your truth; let them be my guide; let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the places where you live. Then I will go to the altar of G-d, to G-d, my joy and delight…" (Psalm/Tehillim 43:2-4, CJB).