Responding in Faith to God’s Beckoning for True Repentance by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Trumpets

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

God designed the Feast of Trumpets (now more typically known as Rosh Hashana; Head of the Year) as an appointed time of preparation. What kind of preparation? It was to call the people to alarm and raise the level of one’s consciousness to self-examination, in preparation for the coming Day of Atonement.

The finished work of Messiah Jesus, however, has permanently opened the door to a new dimension of grace. This grace offers believers an invitation to participate in His victory over the power of sin and death in a new and exciting way! How we prepare to do so makes all the difference!

RELEVANCE

In Daniel 10:10-21, Scripture reveals an element of spiritual warfare.  An angel was sent to Daniel as an answer to his prayer. He told Daniel about a war in the heavenly places that was being waged, and how it related to earthly events.

Fast forward to the ministry of Paul. He taught the disciples more about waging spiritual warfare. He proclaimed, “For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; 4 because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 JNT)

What are spiritual strongholds? They are spiritual fortresses founded on falsehood. They give place to demonic opposition of God’s truth and kingdom purposes. They, therefore, keep us in tight places and traps, constraining us in subtle ways.

They, furthermore, restrain our growth and freedom. So we, therefore, have the opportunity to awaken in God’s love and truth, and confess lies we have believed. How so? We renounce them, and pull our minds and thoughts into compliance with God’s truth, obeying His Word in faith.

Peter also spoke more about the issue of demonic opposition. He provided this exhortation; “Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 JNT)

James added more on the subject. “Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!” (James 4:8 JNT)

Messiah Yeshua-Jesus defeated Satan and the authority of the powers of darkness on Calvary’s Cross. Satan, and his host of demons, however, are sore losers! They regain limited power as people agree with his lies. What lies? Worldly thoughts and philosophies against the knowledge of God’s truth. How so? By maintaining prideful attitudes, pursuing lustful desires, and exalting vain images—the worship of idols.

Revelation 12:11-12 addresses the issue and final outcome. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

So our opportunity is to:

  • Receive the pour of God’s love
  • Prepare our heart to come clean before God
  • Repent with new revelation and understanding of sins and shortcomings
  • Step into the place of receiving His overcoming grace
  • Enjoin with the Lord in His overcoming life

REFLECT AND RELATE

How have you positioned yourself to wage spiritual warfare?

How do you appropriate your “armor” daily in humility and faith, and engage in the Lord’s way of fighting spiritual battles?
See Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:2-6.

Do you have prayer and accountability partners to support you in fighting spiritual battles?

REFERENCES

Daniel 10:10-21; Luke 10:1-42; Matthew 16:17-19; 1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7-8; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:2-6.

NEXT STEPS

Vertical movement: As you come to more and more understanding of how God desires for you to prepare your heart to receive more from Him, the Holy Spirit draws you to deeper truths. You, therefore, gain greater insights into things God wants you to reclaim and possess for His glory.

Horizontal movement: The more you bring your heart into alignment with God, the greater the grace and liberty of soul you experience. This brings you to experiencing what Paul referred to as the “law of the Spirit” which overcomes life under the “law of sin and death.”

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