Have you ever carried a burden that was so great you didn’t know what to do? Have you ever longed desperately to make things right with someone? Have you thought to yourself, if I could go back I’d do (fill in the blank) __________ differently? Have you ever wondered if you are forgiven for your sins? Have you been trying to be good enough to earn your forgiveness? This is the season to get it out, to put these burdens down. We have a part and the Lord has a part. His part is finished, it is time for our part to be finished too.
Welcome to my favorite time of the year. Yes I know I say that (I bet you do too) for other seasons also, but this season has a deep eternal meaning to me and has created a deep love, a love I would like to share with you. I am excited to share this season with you in the coming days and weeks ahead.
Welcome to the season of repentance, or Teshuvah. Teshuvah is a time of introspection of the soul. This is during the Hebrew month of Elul, leading into Yom Kippur. It is well known that the acronym for ELUL is “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, in Hebrew.
I’ve decided the first published writing I am going to do will be, 40 Days of Teshuvah Devotional. I am relieved and excited to have clarity and direction and feel I am to proceed with this writing. Please pray for me.
In the fall many people feel a sense of calling or a deep longing. For me years ago it was a deep loneliness, one I didn’t understand. To say it is deep calling to deep, certainly is not an understatement concerning this season. This is a set time. A time of the Fall Feast and Holy Days that are ordained and set by God. The instructions concerning these feasts are found throughout the bible but described in the book of Leviticus in chapter 23.
I am excited to share with you what The Lord has taught me about this season. He is still teaching me, and I glean more revelation when the season comes around each year. I am in wonder with what He will show me this year.
I know this season is very dear to The Lords heart as well, and I can’t wait to share with how I know! Some might say this is Old Testament, or these are Jewish feasts, but I hope you will see these are The Lords feasts. These are set times, holy convocations, assemblies, rehearsals and gatherings. The Hebrew word for festivals is Mo’ed or Mo’edim, a set time, order of, and a specific time.
A Rehearsal! What does this mean? What are we rehearsing? Our Lord Jesus Christ’ return, is what we are preparing for. Have you ever had a part in a school play or performance? Before the event went on stage, you had rehearsals, right? You probably thought more than once, enough already. But in order to keep your place you needed to be at the rehearsals and practice for your part. You had to learn and memorize your lines. You needed to know what scene you were in, and oh the excitement when it was time for the dress rehearsal. Do you remember the excitement? That feeling of joy knowing it was actually going to happen, that it was finally here. This is why we must understand and know the meaning of the season of Teshuvah. We put down all the old heavy burdens and begin to live for Jesus and to the glory of God. God says He will show us salvation and we will live for His glory. Wow!
Jesus was led into the wilderness by The Spirit to be tested. He came out of the wilderness in the power of The Spirit, having defeated Satan, with the word of God, It is written. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repentance is a very big deal. We aren’t hearing so much about this now days, but trust me the Lord hasn’t lessoned the need.
Teshuvha is to turn, turn away from the things of this world and spend time with God. To search our hearts and repent. This is a season to seek God’s forgiveness and a time to also forgive others. It is a soul cleansing time in order to be ready for His return. Jesus is coming back during fruit harvest, think about that. Do you remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree? The tree had leaves but no fruit, yet the Bible says it was the time for fruit. Yes,we know this was the time of the change of covenant, from the law to Spirit, however there is a lesson for us as well. We do not want to appear to be fruitful without having and growing fruit. There is only one way to bear fruit acceptable to God, we must abide in the Vine.
Father we come before You now, asking You to lead and guide us into all truth during the season of our joy, the season of repentance. Father we long to have a finished work with our past and our sins. We know You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we may be forgiven and free.
I long to be free and to freely serve you. Show me how. I am ready, I am willing, and I want to be right with you. I want to know that I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine. Amen
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon and be gracious to you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 