Greetings to you in the name of the one who loved us and gave His life for us, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful late summer morning in the Kingdom – and a day so significant as well.Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to respond to the cries of your heart with forgiveness, understanding, and restoration.
This is Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement – for the Jewish nation…and by reason of our salvation we are members of that family. Yom Kippur is the final day of the Ten Days of Awe which is the celebration of the Jewish New Year … year 5779 this year. The Days of Awe were designed for prayer, introspection, reconciling relationships, and preparing for the coming year. On You Kipper, the High Priest would make ‘atonement’ for the sins of the nation and a time – 25 hours -of fasting was encouraged.
I have been pondering the significance of these days of introspection and prayer as we get ready for the ‘harvest season’ and a new season in the life of the church. I have been wandering through an old hymnal and came across a few song lines that encourage a little soul searching for my days of awe.
Lord, Thou art questioning, “lovest thou me?”-Yea, Lord, Thou knowest, my answer must be-But since love’s value is proved my love’s test-Jesus, I’ll give thee my dearest and best … Down at thy feet all my fears I let go-Back on thy strength all my weakness I throw-Lord, in my life thou shalt have thine ow way-Speak but a word, and thy child shall obey — Ruth Tracy.
I’ve little strength to call my own-And what I’ve done, before thy throne-I here confess is small-But on thy strength oh God I lean-And through the blood that makes me clean-Thou art my all in all … No tempest can my courage shake-My love for thee no pain can take-No fear my heart appall-And where I cannot see I’ll trust-For then I know thou surely must-Be still my all in all — W.H. Williams
I am praying blessed Saviour-To be more and more like thee-I am praying that thy spirit-Like a dove may rest on me = Thou who knowest all my weakness-Thou who knowest all my care-While I plead each precious promise-Hear O hear and answer prayer — Fanny Crosby
But my heart at times with care is crowded-Oft I serve with weak o’erladen hands-And that early joy grows dim and clouded-As each day it’s heavy toll demands = By the love that never ceased to hold me-By the blood which thou didst shed for me-While thy presence and thy power enfold me- I renew my covenant with thee — WillJ Brand
Yes, on Yom Kippur 2018 I accept His forgiveness and renew my covenant with Him! May your day be blessed with God’s closeness to you!