Looking forward

 

 

Last night I watched “The Challenger” with the late Michael Duncan (and a tribute to the man) and Kent Moran. What a great story and movie and encouragement to “never give up” as Sir Winston admonished the nation at the end of his service.

 

I was convicted of how many times I had given up on people and reminded of how our gracious Lord and Saviour never does.

 

Recently I had the joy and priviledge of encountering a gospel meeting in a hospital where I had left a friend to be attended to. The young preacher gave a humbling and sensitive gospel message to a receptive crowd and we closed in a zulu song the english version being, “I love The Lord Jesus, He died for me. I’m going to go to heaven for eternity! Singing, “Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah!”” I was later given a handout of Faith For Daily Living a daily devotional which this month is exploring Nehemiah Chapter 8.

 

It starts with the people gathered at The Water Gate in Jerusalem on the first day of the seventh month. In the ancient calendar this would by Tishrei 01 which is commemorated this year on the sighting of the new moon over Jerusalem expected September 23. Smack bang in the middle of the feast of Rosh Hashanah, the Blowing of the Trumpets. So a really good time to be reading this Chapter.

 

The people ask the Priest Ezra to read the law which he does and Nehemiah and the Levites (the priestly house) explain it to them. They raise their hands to the sky and bow down in reverence and a great repentance and weeping follows. The priests then tell the people that the day is Holy to the Lord and to go and eat and drink and celebrate for the Joy of The Lord is their strength. (How often recently have I been reminded that it is the Joy of The Lord that is my strength!) After the feast they are called together to prepare for the next feast – Tabernacles and the Ten days of Awe and repentance – a time of renewing commitment to follow The Lord. The feast of Tabernacles was last celebrated by the nation under Joshua. They make booths, share with each other and sanctify their hearts. There was very great gladness. A time of restoration of hearts, minds and souls..

 

The Water Gate is on the east of Jerusalem near to the Gihon Spring which feeds the Kidron brook. The brook David crossed over fleeing his son Absalom. The brook Jesus crossed over going to the garden of Gethsemane. The Water Gate was a place of tears and great rejoicing...

 

There is great expectation in the Church of the imminent return of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Could it be at the Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah? No one knows the day nor the hour but one thing every one agrees on...

 

Now is the time to be ready. The Joy of The Lord is our strength!