Welcome to Teshuvah Elul 14
We are halfway through the month
It is Elul fourteen now
I couldn’t imagine this journey
Or that this would be how
I never once envisioned
The rough rugged hard terrain
I thought it like a picnic
Blankets spread, umbrella in case of rain
What He gave me were boots
A belt, gloves, hat, and a shovel
We’ve dug and plowed together
My strength remarkably double
Pulled out roots of fear
Dug up sneaky deadly lies
Turning over the dirt
Offered a blessed surprise
He ask what I thought
We should do with all this debris
I said let’s burn them up
Allowing more water for the seeds
The joy that stretched across His face
My heart just melted inside
My Teshuvah Date
In Him I will abide
© laurette laster 2019
Today as I reread this poem that I wrote several days ago, I’m reminded that all sin isn’t necessarily character damning actions, or actions visible to others. God told Samuel men look on the outside, but I look on the heart. Jesus said to the Pharisees you wash the outside of the cup but what is inside is what contaminates, clean the inside and the outside will be clean.
In the bible when we read about evil, it is described as not believing or having faith in God and His word, and the courage to act on His word. Failing to act on His instructions is disobedience and requires repentance.
During the season of Teshuvah we are returning to the Torah or the teaching. We have our bible, The Book. So The Book is the book of teachings. As we begin to study the word of God, Holy Spirit begins to convict us of wrong doing, and urges us to begin doing what the teaching instructs us to do. The word of God is living, described in Hebrews 4:12 as a discerner between thoughts and intents of our heart, between soul and spirit, and joints and marrow. The living word of God acts with laser precision, revealing truth to us, shining light on what is real. This allows for the cutting away of deadly lies, all the lies of the devil that have become ingrained in our souls. So often we are unable to discern or see with our physical eyes where the lies begin or got their origin: but God.
When we begin to read the word the word speaks to us and by His Spirit of truth we can see light. We begin to see into things we’ve never seen before. Revelation and knowledge of His truth are powerful and quicken our mortal bodies. Psalm 119:130 tells us the entrance of Thy word gives light
If you are dealing with some old nagging fear, or still believing the lies of the enemy that you are not good enough, or smart enough, or that your family will never be made whole, or whatever he has attacked you with, I pray that in the coming days of this season of Teshuvah, you will attack this lack, and all the evil reports of the enemy. We must uproot these lies with The Word, who is Jesus Christ. I pray that the word will give you light and light up every dark lie the devil has hiding in your path. And then plow it under.
When clearing fields, not all the brush can be plowed under. Some of the brush must be cut and hauled to a central area to haul it off or burn it. I say take the word of God and let it burn up this old debris. Cut down and haul every lie of the enemy to a central location and put it under the word. Burn down all the lies of the enemy and plant the word of God directly into your heart for a new harvest.
Farmers usually do not plow in the dark but now with better and more modernized equipment, if they know their fields and are in familiar territory they sure can work after the sun goes down. We cannot dig out the lies of the enemy without the light of the word of God. It is dangerous to be in dark unfamiliar territory without light. Today tractors are equipped with headlights for direction, and cabs for protection. So like the farmer climbs into his tractor we get in the word and turn the light on and get busy.
When we read the word as believers, our spirit agrees immediately, but our flesh may need some tending or some plowing to break up old hard thought patterns, it may require breaking up old thoughts or fallow ground. Fallow ground is unprepared ground that must be plowed before seed will grow. Hosea 10:12; Jeremiah 4:3 tells us to prepare our ground and not sow seed among thorns.
Our ground which is our heart needs to have furrows dug to prepare for planting new seed. Prepared ground that holds moisture when watered ensures the seed can germinate or sprout. When we agree with what God says, the lies of the enemy which are represented by poisonous weeds are cut off and chopped up and buried and His truth can sprout and come alive in our heart.
This is the season to dig out any lingering doubt, fear, or lies that are hindering your harvest. This is how we Teshuvah or repent for not having the God kind of faith. Jesus instructs us to have faith in God. (Mark 11:22).
The best is yet to come. If you don’t believe, just apply His instructions and watch as it happens.
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 