I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7 NIV)
Welcome to Teshuvah, my favorite time of the year. Day 7
Elul 7
September/Elul
Today is the seventh
He said we’re going to get real
Saying you’ll bring rejoicing to Heaven
He said when I repent
It is music to their ears
Who is He talking about
What do they hear
Back to the field
We dug up a lot of roots
I’m so glad we had shovels
And I wore my boots
Much harder now
Than I imagined at first
Wow this kind of work
Can make a girl thirst
I’ll rest good tonight
After all this hard work
He said we’d meet tomorrow
Reminding me, study the book
A day spent with Him
Is my absolute favorite place
We continue to dig
These roots we trace
© laurette laster 2019
Many years ago as I was driving the forty seven mile commute home from work; I was taking in the beautiful scenery. It was fall and the colors were stunning. I was blessed to have a scenic drive the ten years I worked in Oklahoma. My job was very stressful and demanding, but the commute to and from were full of peace and quiet.
It was fall and all the trees were simply radiant with magnificent colors. The trees were adorning leaves of robust fall colors, the deep auburn, different shades of red, gold, yellow, and even the browns, painted a heavenly portrait. I was praising God, thanking Him for this wonderful sight we He interrupted my thoughts and spoke to me.
In my spirit I heard Him say; “They are dead, Laurette”
Wow talk about a back to reality jolt this definitely was it. I said, “Well, yes they are!” But then my mind began to search and ask questions. How can something that is dead and in the dying stages be so beautiful? This actually jarred me back to reality.
I had never given any thought to the fact that the leaves were dead as the colors changed, even though they hadn’t totally died. Then I knew. This is why the leaves change during the Fall Feasts and the season of our repentance. This is a perfect complete picture of repentance. God is teaching us how it works by leaving us didactic images that teach. We don’t say yep that’s sin and I’m not doing this anymore, hallelujah I’m free. No when we do the work of repentance it is a process. Often sin has become habitual and is attached to character flaws or unhealed wounds.
The Lord continues to minister these truths to me, continuing to teach me how His creation rehearses each of the Feasts, just as He commands us too. He has commanded these Feasts as lasting ordinances. Isn’t this amazing, we meet with Him and rehearse yearly just like creation reminds us too.
Have you considered, and do you not just LOVE how God is with us, in every detail. He doesn’t ask us to do anything He hasn’t done with us. Like when the children of Israel were in the wilderness, after being brought out of Egypt (bondage) by His mighty Arm and Acts, after the sin of idolatry, God still accompanied them. He indeed was with them. He wanted to kill them, remember? This sin of idolatry, also caused brother to kill brother, showing who was on The LORDS side. So when dealing with repentance it gets real.
The season of our repentance and the forty days of Teshuvah corresponds to the time Moses went back to meet with the LORD, on Mount Sinai. The forty days of our repentance is the season of Teshuvah, and is said to be the exact dates of Elul 1 through Tishrei 10, when Moses interceded for the sin of the golden calf, for the children of Israel, with God. Moses told God, if You’re not going with us, don’t send us. Even in His anger He made a way to be with them. He was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Isn’t this a beautiful picture? When we are not faithful, He is faithful.
As we work the work of repentance we cut off all source of nutrients supplying life to the sin in our life. We do this by making a commitment and determining that if God doesn’t like it, neither do we. Our desire must be changed in the roots not in the leaves. We begin to read the bible, and pray. As we pray we are seeking His Holy Spirit to help us become God pleasers, not self pleasing, or people pleasing. Holy Spirit convicts us, (convincing us) what is pleasing to our Lord, and what is not pleasing to our Lord. There are seasons in our lives and just like trees, as we mature we must have deep root seasons in order to bring forth more fruit. The change is in the roots if it is to be lasting.
Cutting off the life giving nutrients, removing our self will to sin is beautiful to heaven. Think of this view from His throne.
I want God to pleased with my work this year and show Him my dead works being cast off and falling to the ground.
Yes God is pleased when by studying His word our desires begin to line up and we become obedient to His word. It is very hard work to face and trace where the roots began in our life. It is hard, often exhausting, emotionally draining work, but oh how glad I am for the opportunity.
Each year He teaches me something new. I’m so excited to see what He reveals to me this year.
I continue to love Teshuvah and my time with Him, more and more each year.
Welcome to Teshuvah, my favorite time of the year.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 