Shabbat Shalom you awesome and peculiar people Israel! We recently entered the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar called Elul–to be precise, the evening of 8/27/14 through the evening of 8/28/14. It comes right before Tishri, the seventh month, which contains the Fall Feast Days. Since the Fall Feast Days are times of profound Spiritual encounters with the God of Israel, Elul is a month set apart in preparation for these Holy days. In Judaism, this month is traditionally associated with the theme of repentance, or in Hebrew, Teshuvah. The Biblical concept should be understood as not only turning away from sin, but more importantly, turning back to Yahweh. When we focus our mind on Our Creator, He gives us perfect peace–He gives us Himself through Yeshua: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you–Isaiah 26:3-4. Moreover, it is ultimately the power of Yahwehs love and mercy, demonstrated by Messiahs sacrifice, that empowers us to overcome our sins and walk in righteousness: Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.–Romans 6:17-18 Teshuvah is such an essential part of the Believers life that it was built into the very calendar and culture of Yahwehs people. Therefore, as we continue to explore and connect to the Hebrew roots of our faith by embracing Creators Sabbath and Feasts, we would do well to dig into His Word to discover the meaning and practice of Teshuvah. During this month of Elul, let us look deep inside of ourselves, acknowledge our sins against Yahweh, His Torah [instruction] and our fellow man, and appeal to Yahwehs love and compassion: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.–Psalm 51:1-3 Perhaps we could spend more time alone in our prayers to do some deep self-analysis. Ask for the Holy Spirit to anoint and reveal to us the times that we may have felt frustrated or annoyed at others, treating them unkindly, or where we may have been selfish or prideful. Like the Psalmist, let us acknowledge our sins and ask Yahweh to show you mercy. Furthermore, let us confess and forsake our sins: Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.–Proverbs 28:13 Nothing is more liberating than coming clean by confessing our sins to Yahweh and others. The Bible declares that confession and prayer brings healing (James 5:16). Let us make amends with those whom weve sinned against: So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.–Matthew 5:23-24 Reconciling with those whom we have wronged is an essential part of Teshuvah. We can acknowledge that weve hurt others all day, but unless we actually DO something about it, its rather meaningless. Love & Faith are an act. As James says, Faith without works is dead. Therefore, lets aspire and pursue to make things right with our fellow man as much as possible. Lastly, let us welcome Yahwehs forgiveness, trust in His love and grace, and walk in faith and holiness: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.–1 John 1:9 May Yahweh bless you and keep you. May Yahweh make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May Yahweh lift up his countenance toward you and give you peace. Shalom dear siblings in Yeshua Messiah!
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:11:10 +0000
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