As always, anticipation is building that some soon-coming Succot, our King will be here to forever dwell with us on earth. His Kingdom will be established, and His people will be living in the Light of His goodness and glory! Longing for the King intensifies from the beginning of the season in the month of Elul all the way to the end of Succot and Shemini Atzeret. Yes, truly, He desires us to live the Word, “I am my Beloved’s and He is mine”.
Here are some ways to draw near to Him, beginning now, in preparation for this season:
1. Set apart a time to worship and be with Him each day of the 40 days of the season of Teshuvah, the season of turning back to Him. This traditional season begins on Elul 1 and continues through Yom Teruah, and through the “ten days of awe”, and up to the day of Yom Kippur on Tishrei 10. After that, we wait five days until the Feast of Succot begins.
2. Join Israel in some of their traditions that have clear biblical foundations – read Scriptures that draw you nearer to Him as we seek His face with humble, repentant hearts. Here are a few to help us get started –
Psalm 27 - this Psalm is traditional for this season and is read by many every single day during the Fall Feasts, not just during the 40 days of Teshuvah, but throughout the Fall Feast season.
Exodus 34:5-6 – even though we are in dire need of repentance, confession, and being forgiven, we also remember the goodness of God, who He is, and His great mercy. In Judaism, this passage is known as the 13 Attributes of God or the 13 Attributes of Mercy.
Isaiah 55:6 – seek the Lord while He may be found.
Psalm 51 – draw near with a humble heart and ask Him to create in us clean hearts and to renew a right spirit within us.
Psalms – read all 150 of them – you can divide them up according to the days leading up to Yom Teruah.
Song of Songs 6:3 – ponder the truth that He is your Beloved and you are His – “I am my Beloved’s and He is mine”.
3. Study the Scriptures about the Feast Days as each one approaches, and let it be a worship to Him as you seek to understand what He is speaking to your heart. (Here are some passages: Leviticus 23; Numbers 29; Deuteronomy 16; Exodus 23; Exodus 34.)
4. Pray for Israel during these days of hardship and pray for the rescue and release of each one of the hostages still in Gaza (Psalm 122; Isaiah 62; Psalm 137:5).
5. Gather together with other Yeshua followers during this season and encourage each other to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, Torah, its fulfillment in Yeshua, and His family, Israel, His chosen.
6. Sound the shofar as an alert that the time of His appearing is at hand, that these are the days for repentance and return to Him, and that the King is coming. Sounding of the shofar during all the 40 days of Teshuvah is traditional for some in Judaism and for others it is traditional to sound the shofar only at Yom Teruah and on Yom Kippur.
7. As we worship, thank, and renew our love to the God who has forgiven us, let’s intentionally forgive others. Ask Him to bring to mind those we have not forgiven – and make a list if we need to!
Let’s ask Him together for dove’s eyes, fixed straight ahead on Him, fully expecting the total restoration of the Promised Land of Israel and the coming of the throne of the eternal Kingdom to that Land. We will view the King and the Land that stretches afar. Chag Sameach!
Cathy Hargett, Highway to Zion Ministries
Blow the shofar! Highway To Zion gathering in Charlotte, NC 2019
