Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
Yesterday marked the 1st day of Nissan, the beginning of the year on the Hebrew calendar. Nissan is known as the “month of miracles”, derived from the Hebrew word, “nissim”, which means “miracles”. Israel finally and miraculously left Egypt in the month of Nissan after hundreds of years of slavery. God orchestrated their escape, “nus” in Hebrew, (which some say is connected to Nissan), displaying His power over the Egyptian gods and His sovereignty over every pantheon. Nissan may also be related to the Hebrew word “nitzan”, which means “to bud” or “to start fresh and anew”, reflecting the seasonal advent of new life and new beginnings…springtime.
With signs in the heavens, and “prophetic” developments abounding, we may be tempted to distraction by so much cosmic activity, some of it appearing to carry near miraculous dimensions; and the Lord told us there will be signs in the heavens. But He also warned of false signs and lying wonders. So we pray for discernment. Yet, even as we witness these amazing things, we ought not to forget that the great commission has not changed: “Make disciples of all nations” remains the Lord’s priority and mandate for us. And though it might require a conscious effort, refocusing to our life on the ground, (even as we look up expectantly), discovering what God would do through us here and now, merits remembering.
And, this is a season of new beginnings and new life, a month with lots of potential for the kinds of miracles our God loves to work… transforming peoples’ lives through the gospel and the Word. So as we watch for the true signs of His coming, let’s also keep our focus on the daily opportunities He provides for imparting His new life to everyone we meet. And as the weather warms, let our love continue also to increase in temperature. That could be the greatest miracle of all these days.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Shabbat can help us to understand our stewardship of earthly goods as we enter a day of rest. Since everything in and on Earth belongs to the LORD, all we own and all we are responsible for belongs to Him and is under His primary care. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” [Psalm 24:1]
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