Devotions

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.” Leviticus 23:34-35

The Israelites were commanded to make booths, tents temporary dwelling places. To represent the tents or booths that the children of Israel dwelt in for forty years. For us what a great way to look at this world, it really is only temporary! We may live 70, 80, 90 years or even more! No matter what its still temporary!

“I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.” Psalm 119:19

As believers we really are strangers in a strange Land (the world) and if we look around us it’s getting stranger! One of the traditions done on Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is to build their booths to be a bit flimsy; not super stable! I like this because in many ways it represents us being flimsy; not super stable! The good news is the LORD is stable and rock solid! The Feast of Tabernacles should remind us of that this world is temporary and dwelling with the LORD is for eternity!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-4

When we look at the appointed times of the LORD found here in Leviticus 23, we can see so much of His heart for us, that gives us the hope of heaven! Remember this world is temporary and heaven is for eternity! So let us live for the LORD who is steadfast and strong, not like us who are flimsy! Have a blessed day!

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:2

Realize this was written about 2500 years ago, and as we can see today people lay siege on Jerusalem! Its surrounded by violence and political wrangling, without any real solutions! Only the LORD will make it right!

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, through all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” Zechariah 12:3

Jerusalem today is a very huge burden to the world! All the nations who have tried to control it don’t exist or are of no real power today! What’s this mean for us? What the LORD says in His word always happens! Jesus said ‘the world will hate you as it hated Me.’ John 15:18, He also said ‘Don’t be troubled and He goes to prepare a place for us, so we can be with Him.’ John 14:1-7.

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

Deuteronomy 7:6

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

1 Peter 2:9

Today if you feel a little out of place or dismayed about events going on around us! Take courage the LORD calls you and me His special people, His prize and we get to walk in His marvelous light, Here and forever! Have a blessed day in Him!

“So I will strengthen them in the LORD, And they shall walk up and down in His name,” Says the LORD.” Zechariah 10:12

Knowing this future prophecy will come to pass about Israel! But, we can be strengthened by the LORD in this today! With all we see happening in the world today, we need His strength to be able to proclaim His holy name! While most of the world rejects it!

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” Psalm 107:2

Today as the redeemed, the strengthened and saved by the LORD, let’s go out and proclaim how good and awesome He is! Let us be comforters, exhorters and proclaimers of His good news of salvation!

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Today is a good day to get out there and start proclaiming His greatness and His amazing love! Sharing with those who will listen to you about the LORD! Realizing the more we share, the less we will care about our own problems and situations! Have a blessed day.

“Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you.” Zechariah 9:12

At times we find ourselves wandering around in hopeless situations, trying to do things on our own power. The LORD is always calling us to return to Him, call upon Him and be a prisoner of His hope, not slaves to this lost world!

“The LORD their God will save them in that day, As the flock of His people. For they shall be like jewels of a crown, Lifted like a banner over His land.” Zechariah 9:16

Yes the LORD will save us when we call on Him! WHEN? Right now is that day call on Him and be saved, let His banner of hope and joy be seen flying over you. The LORD is the God of hope and restoration, let us stand in His stronghold today!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Today let us not let the cares and tares of the world distract us from the hope of the LORD! Don’t get caught up in the grind of daily life, instead let us stand in the strongholds of the LORD, and have a blessed day being a prisoner of His hope!

“Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And pray before the LORD.” Zechariah 8:22

One day all people will realize the LORD the creator of the universe is God! One and all will seek Him and worship Him! Every tongue, tribe and nation will bow before Him!

“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take oath.” Isaiah 45:22-23

Unfortunately we are not there yet! So what we get to do is be a light in a dark world, which seems to be getting darker! But as we read our bibles we know the end! ‘EVERY KNEE WILL BOW’ So knowing that one day this will happen lets get out there and be the reflection of the light of the LORD!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Today take the opportunity to reflect the glorious light of the LORD where ever you go and with whoever you can! The world is dark, but our LORD is light! Have a blessed day reflecting His glorious light!