Chapter 18.....
Why, why had Yeshua opened the ears of Peniel's soul to the whisperers ? The accusations of the unseen enemy had trampled the newborn truth in the meadow before it drew a single breath !
Peniel fled to the apple orchard, He closed his eyes in misery and leaned back against the trunk of a tree. Clamping palms over his ears, he tried to shut out the memory of the voices he had heard.
But he could not shut out the despair that overwhelmed him.
Why Lord ? Peniel wept quietly as he prayed. 'Why should I hear such things ? I was happy here with you. Thought you were making a difference. Thought maybe I could make a difference too. Teach somebody something like you do. Tell somebody you love them.But no. No! They won't listen ! How can they hear you with that going on in their heads ?
Exhausted, Peniel finally fell asleep.
Peniel knew no one had heard Yeshua. No one in that vast assembly had listened...really listened...to a promise from heaven that could revolutionize their life forever.
How could Yeshua compete against those hideous whispers ?
Yeshua was watching Peniel from a distance. He seemed unperturbed by what had happened earlier that day.'How long have you been there Lord ?'
'Long enough,' Yeshua said kindly.
'You might as well come sit down then Lord. If you heard what I heard today rattling in the air you must be very tired'.
Yeshua joined him , leaning against the tree. 'Peniel, why did you run away ?'
Peniel bit his lip. 'The voices.'
Yes, I hear them all the time. They are always working against us. They are the enemy.
'I'll be honest. It was a dirty trick, you opening my ears and letting my illusions be smashed like that.'
'I thought you should know what you'll be up against if you're going to follow me. Discouragement is the Evil One's best weapon against those who do the work of my Father.'
'Well spoken. Point taken. I'll tell you what I think. I think the people might as well have stayed home. And you might have saved your breath for all the difference it's made. .......I heard the voices plain as anything.
All of them arguing with you . Arguing about you. Calling you a liar.'
'That's the nature of the enemy' Yeshua said. His voice was calm. 'He lies.'
'He's strong. Too strong for me.' Peniel shuddered.
'Did you notice the silence when I spoke the Truth?'
'I was happier before I knew Lord. Every human being in that field today was listening to some other ...thing...talking...talking...talking, while you taught.
'There are some who fight self delusion, Yeshua answered. Some who fight the numbing grip of daily life.
Truth. A handful in a thousand cling to it like a raft on a stormy sea.
But it's beginning. We're gaining a foothold here on earth. Yes, It's beginning.
Today, there was a man near the back. I saw him come late. After everyone was already seated. He needed real hope today. And he drank The Word down like cool water. He chose to believe me.'
'Chose ? Can a person choose to believe ?' 'Of course Peniel. It's the only way your faith can grow.
You choose to trust that I cannot lie. You act on the word I have spoken. Then you discover that what I told you really is the Truth.'
............................................................So, I have discovered another great series by my all time favorite authors Bodie and Brock Thoene. 'A.D. Chronicles.'
Way better for me than zoning out watching my tv at bedtime . I am blessed. There are a total of eleven books in this series. They are biblical fiction, and present a very accurate picture of the world in the days when Jesus walked the earth.
Sometimes the brutality of those days shock me and I wonder at the 'fullness of time' when God sent His son to earth to fulfill all prophecy and die on a Roman cross.
These books are full of scripture, and how all scripture speaks of Jesus. Rich very rich indeed and a timely discovery for me.
