Dealing With the Aftermath

 

As We wrap up the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day, each of us heading back to our own lives, let us reflect on this past week. Did we truly come out of this world? Did we grow in the grace and knowledge of our savior and king? Do we feel closer to God now then at the beginning? Are we going back to our lives with renewed vigor? Was the majority of our time this past week spent on studying and discussing God’s word, rejoicing in Him and not just our own pleasures? And then of course, did we meet like-minded brethren who are a positive influence on us, who encourage us in our walk with God --- building and strengthening the brotherhood?

These are all good questions to ask ourselves, criteria that would help us determine how beneficial this Feast of Tabernacles has been. Hopefully we can all answer yes to these questions, but if not, hopefully they can show us where we can improve to maximize the potential of these set apart times that God has given us.

We know that we are to leave behind the world during these holy days to meet with God by an appointment as Lev. 23:4 says: “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.” But as we all head back to our lives in the world, a question remains—what about the time between God’s holy convocations, is there anything we need to pay special attention to? We know we cannot remain disconnected from this world as we hopefully were this past week.

As Yeshua Himself says in John 17:15-16 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

We are not part of the world, but we do live among them, we are to be separate yet not isolated. How do we remain separate yet not isolated?

Let’s ask ourselves another question. As we head back to our homes, are we continuing to put God first and make Him the focus of our lives, or will we just end up trying to fit Him in wherever it is convenient? This might seem like a harsh question that doesn’t leave room for considerations in our busy schedules as we catch back up on whatever we have waiting for us in the weeks following the Feast. However, this is no time to relax and let our guard down. It is imperative that we are still putting in the same amount of effort and diligence to studying and spending time with our Creator as we have this past week.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

Satan knows that if he can hit us with enough distractions, especially right after the Feast when returning to our lives is a little chaotic, and cause us to falter in our new goals of continuing to put God first, he stands a better chance of succeeding.

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:34-35).

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:12-13).

One way to help ourselves overcome the temptations and distractions is by building good habits by putting God first and making Him a part of everything we do. Start the day off with prayer and study to make sure the most important things get done first. There is no better time to do so than right now. Over the last week we have already started this habit, we just have to keep it going! We do not want to be the seed that fell among the thorns and was choked by the cares of this world and became unfruitful in the parable of the sower in Matt. 13:1-23. We want to be the seed that fell on the good ground and yielded a crop. Accordingly, let us be diligent to not allow Satan to take away what we have just gained, instead, apply God’s word to our lives and look ahead to the time to come.     

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.12:1-2).

Let this be our focus moving forward and may we all “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen”(2 Pet. 3:18).

I hope you all had a wonderful and spiritually rewarding Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day!