One thing I have desired of the LORD. A Christian blog | Bible studies | Inspiration & Encouragement | Jewish roots of Christianity | Discipleship | Intimacy with God
Passover, or Pesach, is the biblical feast that remembers God's mighty intervention when He delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt some 3500 years ago. Passover also foreshadows our personal deliverance from bondage to sin and irrevocable separation from our old task master. Read more about the striking parallels of the Passover story and God's dealing with us personally.
Each year on Yom Kippur, the High Priest chose two goats, one to symbolically carry the sins of the people into the wilderness, the other to be sacrificed on the altar to pacify God’s wrath over sin. He then entered the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and interceded before the Ark of the Covenant for his people for God to have mercy. About 1200 years after the Israelites celebrated the first Yom Kippur in the wilderness, Yeshua, who was without sin, became the true scapegoat, carrying our sin and putting it to death when He gave His life on the cross.
On Rosh haShana observant Jews very commonly recite this prayer from Micah 7:18-20, acknowledging our dependence on God’s mercy and forgiveness of sin. And the God of Heavens, the Holy One of Israel, loves to show mercy and forgive. What an awesome God we serve - there is none like Him!
What is the purpose of having faith when we feel the wind blowing in our sails? When we see the sun shining on us, and we find goodness and blessings along our way? Isn’t rather that faith when we have no reason to believe? When we actually cannot see “the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”?
A deep understanding of God’s thoughts and character will form in us when we grow in our relationship with Him. As a result we develop a greater sense of security and purpose – we know we are secure in His hand and that He always wants the best for us.
We are so tuned to be active, get things done, work our to-do list, that we have become incapable to unwind and be calm. Yet in being calm in God's presence can be the source of the strength we need for our daily life.
If waiting on the LORD renews our strength, then why on earth do we keep running ahead of Him? We cannot stand unanswered prayer for too long, and since we like being in control, we take matters into our own hands. Maybe we give it a religious labelling (“I’m stepping out in faith”); while really we are fed up with waiting on God and try to push Him to start moving.
Handling tough situations God's way does not leave room for human wisdom, but requires a heart fully commited to God.
Only if we are kind to those who treat us unjustly, with contempt, take advantage of us, betray us, gossip and spread lies about us, only then will we truly reflect our dear Father in Heaven.
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God is in the business of turning around dead-end situations, but needs our cooperation. Forgive yourself and let go of your past sins and failures.
