The idea of acknowledging and celebrating the spring and fall Jewish feasts as God’s cycle of blessing is relatively new to me. I have been walking closely with Jesus for over 40 years but only responded to the tug in my spirit to study our Hebrew roots as believers about three years ago.
My friend and co-laborer Debbie and I met at Hutto House of Prayer for our first New Moon (First Fruits) celebration. We had extended an open invitation but no one else came. We were using Chuck Pierce’s A Time to Advance as a guide/starting point. From the moment Debbie blew the shofar and began the opening prayer, I was completely overcome with an unexpected emotional response. I felt like I had come home. It was like this new-to-me ancient tradition wrapped around and through me like a well-worn garment that was fashioned just for me. A perfect fit. The tears flowed freely as I inhaled deeply and then exhaled all the questions of the past in one long breath. THIS is what has been missing all my life. I was made for this. This was made for me.
Fast forward to Jerusalem in May of 2018. It was the last full day of my first journey to Israel. I was part of a prophetic prayer team there on an assignment to visit and pray/worship at certain sites, including the dedication of the new US embassy in Jerusalem. I had been ill for a couple of days and really felt the need for some alone time with the Lord while the rest of the team was visiting one of the houses of prayer. One of my roommates had also decided at the last minute to stay back as well to get some rest. Disappointed at first at not being alone, I was compelled to not forfeit this time alone with the Lord. I huddled up in the corner of the sectional that was my bed and draped a sheet over me. I put some soaking worship on my phone and plugged the ear buds in. It was just me, the music, my Bible and journal and a box of kleenex. All I could see was the inside of my sheet tent – my own little tent of meeting. And meet me He did.
The next two and a half hours were the most sweetly intense and intimate encounter I have ever had with Him. He spoke to me and showed me things and breathed life back into my songwriting. A song I had wrestling with for years, Fire on the Altar, was finished that day.
Since then, I have had several more times sitting alone with Yeshua on my bed or the couch draped with a sheet or the prayer shawl I bought in Israel. It helps me to shut out all distractions and really fix my gaze on His face and listen for His voice.
Here now in 2020 at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, I am once again sitting in a tiny corner under a makeshift sukkah, my own personal tent of meeting. We are living for now in a very small rented space with no outdoor place to set up a more traditional sukkah. So I have crafted a tiny little tent with dollar store materials and my prayer shawl. It is in a corner the room at the foot of bed. There is barely enough room for me to sit in it but here I am. And once again, perhaps as never before, I am anticipating meaningful encounters with my Jehovah over the next seven days.
I encourage you to study the Feast of Tabernacles and what it represents. As gentile believers we are adopted into His family and have access to all the blessings and benefits that come with sonship. The feasts are a significant part of God’s cycle of blessing that He desires for His kids (that’s you and me)!
The Feast began at sunset last night, so the first day is almost over. We are about to enter into Day 2 when the sun sets this evening.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13
Shabbat shalom.
