The Days of Awe
The ten days, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, are called the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur.
What do “I” need to change?
True repentance is not just a one-time act; it continues in our every-day decisions. When we really repent, we not only confess our sins and turn from them, but we continue turning from them. That means we continue resisting those sins that so easily beset us.
There are many places in Scripture where believers are called upon to repent. Repentance is not just sorrow for our sins, or for our sinful ways, or being sorry that we were “caught”. Esau was sorrowful and wept bitterly, but his ways were not changed, so he did not receive the promise (Heb. 12:16-17). True repentance is much more. It includes a deep sorrow that causes us to change. The Bible tells us there is a sorrow of this world that leads only to death, and there is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance and to salvation (IICor. 7:10). That is what we want: sorrow that leads us to repentance!
Verses upon which to meditate:
- “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” I John 1:8-9, NIV.
- “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes,” Ps 119:59, NIV.
- “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah,” Ps 32:1-5, NASB.
Next Friday, Oct 3, 2014, we begin another of God’s Holy Days,
o Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): “This shall be a permanent statute[“a lasting ordinance,” NIV] for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month [October/evening of the 3rd -4th/ 2014], you shall humble your souls [fast] and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute”.
Prayer:
“Mighty God! As we walk through these Days of Awe, help us to be ever mindful of our walks before You. Help us to let go of those things that so easily beset us. We love You! We worship You. You are our God!! Hallelujah! Forgive us. Forgive our Nation. Forgive Israel. Help us to turn our faces and our ways to You. Heal our land, bring Your peace to J’lem. Protect the persecuted Middle Eastern church. Thank You for loving us! In Yeshua’s mighty Name, we pray.”
