Welcome to the daily chizuk (encouragement). Hashem is matzmiach yeshuot. Hashem is sprouting salvation. Sometimes we pray for something, and instead of the situation improving, it just gets worse. Then a person thinks, “Why should I even bother to pray?” You have to know that Hashem is matzmiach yeshuot. Hashem sprouts your salvation like a seed. How does a seed sprout? When you put it in the ground, first it decays, and only then does it take root. But if someone plants a seed and gets impatient—“Why isn’t it growing?”—waits and waits, then finally digs up the ground and sees that the seed has decayed, he will stop watering and give up. Someone who knows how it works will continue to invest time and energy, even though people tell him, “Don’t waste your time; the seed has decayed.” Only he will see the beautiful fruits of his labor. Sometimes it’s getting worse in order to get better. The key is not to despair. Pray harder. You could be at the doorstep of the yeshuah (salvation).
I saw a mashal (parable) of a baby crying in the middle of the night for a bottle. The mother goes down to make it, and the child continues to cry. Even when the bottle is right in front of its mouth, the child cries even louder. It’s right there. Relax. And like we said yesterday, the most powerful tefillot (prayers) are the ones that come when it seems like there’s no hope.
We read in the parasha this week about the chet ha'egel (sin of the Golden Calf). Hashem told Moshe, “I’m going to wipe out this nation, and I’m going to start a new nation from you.” And the Gemara in Berachot says, “Miyad nitchazek Moshe bitfilah (Moshe immediately strengthened himself in prayer).” What type of tefillah could bring a yeshuah after Hashem said it’s over? A tefillah that’s said after you want to give up. A tefillah that’s said after it feels like there’s no hope. That brings yeshuah. In one second, everything can change. It’s never too late. Never give up. Have a great day.