Blessed be Adonai, for He has shown me His wonderful love in a besieged city.

I said in my alarm, “I have been cut off from Your sight!” But You heard the sound of my pleas when I cried out to You.

Love Adonai, all His kedoshim!

Adonai preserves all the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full.

Chazak! Let your heart take courage, all you who wait for Adonai.

- Psalm 31:22-25

This Shabbat we read about those who were discouraged from crossing into the land Adonai had promised and how they discouraged others. Whether discouragement or encouragement, it all comes down to courage. Courage comes from trust, and trust comes through the faithfulness Adonai. We are privileged to read His promises in the Torah and blessed to know that He is faithful to keep His word. In those times we feel lost in fear, we can cry out to Him. We can courageously follow where He leads knowing that He will answer with the same faithfulness He promised to our ancestors.