Daily Devotionals

When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly (Jeremiah 29:13).

Every year as we celebrate Rosh HaShanah (the traditional New Year), we are reminded of many important spiritual truths. Perhaps the most graphic teaching tool of this season is the shofar (ram's horn) which is sounded in our services. We are told that the sounding of the ram's horn is a call for Israel to wake up and return to God. This holy day is a picture of the future regathering of believers, signaled by the sounding of the shofar (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Thus, the sound of the shofar contains spiritual truth applicable to believers today.

Our tradition calls attention to the shape of the shofar itself. Because the shofar is curved in appearance, we are reminded that this is the preferred posture of God's people. We are not to arrogantly rely on our own wisdom or to think we can correct our spirit to align with our Father. Instead, we are to take the humble stance of the shofar; that is, to be curved or bowed in submission to what God would tell us.

When we rely on our own ways, we so often create our own tzores (troubles)! King Shlomo (Solomon) noted that there is a way which seems right to man but it actually leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). However, Scripture promises that God has "plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Rosh HaShanah is a time to take an honest look into our spirits to make sure we are aligned with our Father's plan for us. The curve of the shofar tells us that the only way to find God's best is to bend our will to his will. May we enjoy a sweet New Year as we give heed to the lesson of the shofar!

…not rely on my own wisdom but will listen carefully to God's Word that I may be in line with his will.

BK