Good Evening Yamon Ki Yesepar;
(If anyone noticed, there was no devotional last night. My computer was having a pajama party at the Corporate Office IT department)
Lamentations 3:21-22: “This I recall to my mind, there have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
II Chronicles 20:21: “Praise the Lord, for His mercies endures forever.”
Psalms 136:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for his mercy endures forever.”
Ki le’olah chasedu (His mercies endure forever)
“Double double toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble”
Shakespeare – Macbeth Act IV, Scene I
Someone approached me with the question and for those who may wonder, I want to set the record straight. No, I did not mentor under a Jewish mystic. I did have a master teacher tell me: “If someone says they understand Kabbalah, they do not understand it. If someone does understand Kabbalah, they will not tell you.” One can not study Kabbalah except he be mentored by a Jewish master. Forgot the Madonna, Rosie Kabbalah stuff, that is just warmed over new age. A Jewish master would never have mentored them nor me for three reasons: I am a gentle, I am a Christian, and I would not understand even if someone were to mentor me. At the time I did not understand why I would not understand. Now that I am old and grey and have walked a few miles, I understand why I would not have understood. Aside from that I personally had no desire to be mentored in Jewish mysticism. I only wanted to broaden my understanding of the Hebrew language and the Kabbalah was just another extra Biblical resource to study the language. As a graduate student seeking an advanced degree in Hebrew I was permitted to research some things that would be within the scope of my study.
I discounted most of what I learned as nothing but mystical rubbish. However, as I grow in my spiritual walk and experience, I sometimes wonder. I see some Christians raise their hands in worship and I think “palal.” I see some Christians in deep meditation or soaking as they like to call it and I think “devekus.” I hear Christians speak and pray the many sacred names of God and I think “kavanos.” I wonder if these are not the mysteries that have been sealed by Daniel in 12;9 – until the last days.
If you happen to believe we are indeed living in the last days, if within our life times we will enter into a time where we really need to understand the mysteries of God to survive,
you may want to print this little devotional out, tuck it away in a safe place and if such a time should come, pull it out and read it. If this is indeed a mystery of God, you will have understanding when you need it.
If you read Lamentations 3 you find Jeremiah is really depressed, but he pulls himself out of depression by recalling to his mind “Ki le’olah chasedu.” Jehoshaphat commanded his army to recite the words of praise “Ki le’olah chasedu.” The moment they did the Lord set up ambushes against the three kings who were coming against the army of the Lord. The three kings killed each other off before the army of the Lord ever reached them. David in the midst of his depression would cry out: “Ki le’olah chasdu.” When did this he entered into deep praise and worship of God. The Jewish mystics like to say that God opens the portals (windows) of heaven when you recite those words.
But let’s back up. In Lamentations 3:21 at the pike of Jeremiahs depression he says: “This do I call to mind.” The word call is “shuv” which is in a hiphil form. Shuv has the idea of restoration, turning toward. He is causing himself to restore “This.” What is “This” (Heb. zoth)? Zoth points toward a truth that will cause you to be involved with God. The word “mind” is “lev.” This is the word for heart. The first letter in the Torah is a beth, the last letter in the torah is lamed. Together they make the word Lev or heart. For with the Word of God we find the heart of God. Thus Jeremiah is saying that what he is causing to be restored in him is the heart of God and this restoration comes from the words of praise “Ki le’olah chasedu.” His mercies endure forever.
I am not asking you to buy into this because I don’t buy into it and I will not ask you to buy into something I don’t buy into. But the Kabbalah teaches that there are certain words in the Scripture that when recited reaches the heart of God and brings forth his divine power. Throughout the ages, pagans have believed in incantations. In fact much of the practice of reciting incantations have their origins in Jewish mysticism.
One of my students, whose name is listed above so I will not say, once told me that the enemy is a great counterfeiter. He will take what is truly of God, pervert it and use it for is own benefit.
I am, of course, not advocating using Scripture for making some incantation. But I am suggesting that the words of Scripture are sacred and there are some words from Scripture which are dear to the heart of God. He likes to hear those words. If you get anything from this study, let it be this. When you talk to God, when you pray, when you pray for others, when you perform public prayer, would it not hurt to recite Scripture as you pray? Maybe in that our Jewish friends have an understanding that we are only beginning to come into.
I have a grand daughter who is only one year old. I am writing a series of animal stories for her to read when she is old enough. You know what a joy it would be to have her sit on grandpa’s lap and read her stories to me? Would not our heavenly Father delight in his children sitting in His lap reading His Words of instruction and love to Him?
If you are ever inclined to print out any devotional, let it be this one. You may be too old for such a childish study as this, talking about special words of God. But one day, you may be old enough for such a study. As a master teacher once told me: “When you need it, God will reveal the sod (mysteries) of Torah to you, if you seek and search for Him with all your heart.
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