Rosh HaShanah

Today is Rosh HaShanah. The day that marks the beginning of the Jewish New year.

As tradition goes in these first days the people of Israel are called to reflect on their lives, the good and the bad. On another day Yum Kippur, people fast and resolve to thank and praise God and return to follow him.

We are living in the prophecy that God promised the Jews would return to their own land. Where there had been desert land for 2000 years is now flourishing with cities, roads, railway networks and farms growing fruit and provisions. Children are once again playing in the streets and old people walking with canes. God is true to his promises.

I think it is a good idea to take time to remember how God has been faithful to me. I believe in God whom the Jews put their hope in, the creator of the heavens and the earth, and who gave his commandments to Moses. They are waiting for a Messiah.

Like Moses and Nehemiah I return to God and ask forgiveness for my sins and the sins of my forefathers so the next generations after me will be blessed. I am not an island. What I do will reflect on my children after me for good or bad.

Moses led the people of Israel out of 400 years of bondage in Egypt. Nehemiah led the people of Israel back to Jerusalem to restore the temple after seventy years in exile. He acknowledged before God that his forefathers had failed to obey God and they were sent into exile because of their disobedience.

I believe in Jesus the Messiah who came 2000 years ago. Through Jesus I have hope for the future and forgiveness for the past. I have a new beginning. The Shofar is blown on Rosh HaShanah a reminder that the people can have a new beginning.

If religion, work, family and friends have failed you there is still hope. His name is Jesus. Call on His name and follow him. He is the Hope of the world. Enjoy a new beginning. He will remember your failings no more. He will be with you and never leave you.

I think It is a good time to reflect on the past on your own and with your family. Resolve to obey God in the future. You can make a big change for good for blessing and not cursing.

Rosh Hashanah

 

“Today, the feast of Rosh Hashanah is being celebrated by the people of Israel. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one of Judaism’s holiest days. … Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur a holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement.”. Quote from “History.com”

It is the beginning of the Jewish civil New Year. The people of Israel celebrate with friends and family for two days. It is the time when they look back on the past year and reflect on their failings and successes. They dip apples into honey sharing pieces and wish each other a sweet new year. They throw pieces of bread into water signifying their sins being washed away. These two days are the beginning of a season of repentance before God ending in Yum Kippur, when the people fast.

Tonight I was reading from Psalm 65.

What mighty praise O God, awaits you in Zion.
We will fulfil our vows to you because you answer our prayers
and to you all people will come.
Though our hearts are filled with sins you forgive them all.
You are the hope of everyone on earth.
You formed the mountains by your power.

What wonderful words of love and promise from God!

Let us join with the people of Israel at this season and reflect on our failings this past year. God has provided his Son Jesus to wash away our sins. Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood for the forgiveness of all people’s sins, Jews and Gentiles. All one has to do is believe there is a God, our Father in heaven and believe in his Son Jesus.
The Jews believe in the God of Creation, but do not have a revelation of Jesus yet.

Jesus breaks the power of sin in our lives. We often feel we cannot be forgiven for the wrong we have done. Or we keep doing the same wrong over and over again and never feel free from condemnation and guilt. Woe is me. But Jesus brings us good news. He sets one free from sin’s power and condemnation and guilt. He washes us as white as snow when we come to him. He remembers our sins no more. Our sins are truly washed away.  I know my sins are forgiven and I am healed of deathly cancer through the power of Jesus.  He defeated the power of sin and the power of death in cancer over me.  I’m alive to tell the tale.

““For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.”
But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.
Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:15, 19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Now some people believe Jesus forgives their sins and don’t need to keep asking for forgiveness each year.  It is good to come before God and admit our failings.

The Word of God says we are to confess our sins one to another so we will be healed.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
‭‭James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I believe I needed to confess my sins to others and they prayed for me so my body could be healed of cancer.

Have a sweet year ahead.  Be forgiven and healed.