Daily Devotionals
Devotional: 2nd of Tishrei
Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! (Psalms 89:15 [16] NKJV)
The shofar (ram's horn) elicits many different thoughts during the High Holy Day season. Its shrill sound beckons us to consider our ways and to turn back to HaShem (God; literally, "the Name"). The blast called "teru'ah," sounded in our synagogue services, is the "alarm" sound meant to wake us up! Such is the important theme of Rosh HaShanah (the traditional New Year). We must wake up, evaluate our spiritual condition, and turn back to our Father through repentance.
For this reason, we tend to think of Rosh HaShanah as a serious, even somber, time as we examine our spiritual state. However, there is always a hopeful note when we look to God. The above Scripture may seem like a contradiction, for we are said to be blessed by hearing the joyful alarm! The sound of the shofar, for believers in Yeshua the Messiah, is a mixture of seriousness and rejoicing. We too must evaluate our lives at this season; yet as believers we do not merely hope that our sins are forgiven. Indeed, this is the very reason our Father sent the Messiah to us— that we might have the confidence of the forgiveness of our sins by receiving his love gift.
During this High Holy Day season, let us turn from anything that would hinder our walk with Messiah. Then the shofar will truly be the joyful sound to our ears that it is meant to be!
…walk in joy as I reflect on the sound of the shofar.
BK
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