John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
All Hallows Eve, October 31, otherwise known as Halloween, is celebrated throughout most of the world -- however, that doesn't take place in Israel.
When I was younger, I can remember the days of haunted houses in amusement parks in the United States.
These "attractions," houses created to inspire fear, anxiety, and a sense of danger in those who dare to pass through them, with their creaky floors and canned screams and hoots, were really silly to me. The various inhabitants, "monsters," would jump out, crazy strobe lights disorient your vision, hands unexpectedly touching you, and gut-wrenching noises designed to freak you out ... all of it was just a manufactured distortion of reality; and I always just knew it was a show, that no real ghosts or ghouls, whether they existed or not, actually lived there.
Doesn't it seem, though, in this life, sometimes we feel as though we're walking through a haunted house -- with different threats, problems, dangers, and fears designed to knock the wind out of us, shock us with paralyzing fear, disarm us with terrors, and change our perception of reality? Which reality? The reality is that our life is completely in His hands! Even the scariest situations, and the worst, most terrifying of our problems, in the light of Eternity, simply pale and will evaporate in the world to come.
The Lord is good, His goodness is absolute, and His power to work all things together for your good (if you are among those who love Him) is the promise that surrounds every scary threat in your life. So, while it may seem at times like you're walking through a wild and crazy "haunted house," -- in reality, it's the devil's show to make you forget -- your life is safely in His hands!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]One beautiful correlation when celebrating Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) is recognizing its connection to marriage, specifically pointing to our future union with God. This festival not only commands us to rejoice, but it also carries deep symbolism that mirrors the joy and intimacy of a wedding celebration.
During the feast of Tabernacles in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) day, the temple priests would set up four great lampstands with golden lampholders, which they would light with the aid of enormous ladders in the Temple courtyard. The lighting of these lamps began the celebration of the “Great Hosannah” (Hoshannah Rabbah, in Hebrew).
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) started last week, and it’s customary to say to everyone this week — Chag Sameach, which literally means joyous festival! As we mentioned, the feast of Sukkot commemorates the time in which God led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years, providing them with every need on a daily basis — shelter, food, water and clothing. You may know that a during Sukkot, a portion of Ecclesiastes is read in the synagogues. Interestingly enough, it speaks of the vanity of materialism.
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) will begin Wednesday night throughout the world. The feast of Sukkot commemorates the time in which God led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years, providing them with every need on a daily basis – shelter, food, water, and clothing. Interestingly, during Sukkot, the book of Ecclesiastes is read in the synagogues– but Ecclesiastes speaks of the vanity of materialism.
One of the main lessons of Yom Kippur is understanding the significance of “rachamim”, the mercies of God. The scripture expressed that our sins are removed as far as “the east is from the west” — meaning they are completely forgiven when confessed. On the feast of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement two goats are involved in the sacrifice. The blood of the first goat was placed on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. The other, or “scapegoat” was released into the wilderness, signifying that our sins were not only covered, but also removed. In the days of the Temple, this “scapegoat” was led through the Eastern Gate toward the Mount of Olives where it would disappear from view, as it fulfilled the removal of sins from the people.
There are times in our lives that we are going through a spiritual valley and we want to get victory — we want to have answers — we want God’s power to flow through us again.
This evening will begin the Biblical feast of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, which literally means Day of Coverings, can be a day of deep reflection on what the Lord has done for us. As Yeshua (Jesus) died on the cross 2000 years ago, the Gospel describes how the veil in the Temple was torn in two. This profound spiritual event reveals that the Lord gave all whose sins are covered by His blood access to the Holy of Holies, as He had become our High Priest in addition to being, Himself, the perfect sacrifice for sin.