Your Time in the Desert: Will You Still Praise Him? Special Service: Sukkot

Good Evening Shakad,

This morning we explored and celebrated the concept of Sukkot. What does it mean to Tabernacle with the Lord? Why is the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) to be celebrated forever? What is the significance of the etrog, myrtle, willow, and palm?

Moses sojourned for forty years in the desert with the freed Israelites, but did you know that not one, save Joshua, that crossed the Red Sea entered Canaan, the Land of Milk and Honey? Not even Moses! You may ask yourself how could the Israelites that literally experienced the power of God, that were freed by the signs, wonders, and miracles; that brought the powerful nation of Egypt to their knees; that walked through the Red Sea that magnificently parted and crashed down on their enemies; that led them through the desert with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; that miraculously provided them water and manna everyday; who literally showed up in the desert and allowed them to witness His presence; could turn their back and grumble about El Shaddai, to dare utter a word against Yhwh, and build an altar against Adonai.

It seems preposterous, but give yourself an honest examination. How have you turned your back on God? When you walked through the lowest point in your life, in "your desert", did you sing the praises of the Lord or did you bemoan the Creator with your misery? Did you blame Him? Did you curse Him?

We reviewed two men of the Old Testament, Job and David. How did they handle their walk in the proverbial desert?

First we examined Job; Job was offered by God during a meeting of the Sons of God when Satan also attended, that despite Satan's tricks, temptations, or torments, Job would not turn his heart from the Lord. At first Satan took everything from Job, his children, his possessions, his cattle, his camels, his wealth, his riches, but Job never turned his heart from God. Satan returned and said it is because you haven't let me afflict his body that he hasn't turned. God said afflict him, but you may not kill him. From that point, Job was covered with boils.

Something incredibly important happened during this temptation. An undoing of a previous trespass. We see how the future events of Pentecost as the undoing of Babel, Jesus hanging from the cross as the undoing of the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil being removed from the Tree, and now enter Job. His wife is afraid that he (Job) is cursed. She too has lost everything. Will she be next? Out of fear or maybe something else, she encourages Job to turn his back on God, to curse Him, and to go on and die. Job does not, and he rebukes her. This, my Shakad, is the undoing of Eve encouraging her husband, Adam, to eat the fruit. Where Adam fails, Job does not. In the end we see that Job has not spoken against God with his lips and receives double of everything he had once lost.

Now we examine David, the man after God's own heart, the greatest King of Israel. There was a bit of time where Saul was hunting down David to slay him, and David hid in a cave. He cried out to God, "Where are you?", "Can't you hear my prayers", "Will you leave me to die at the hands of mine enemies?" David is stuck in mortal peril begging the Lord Almighty for shelter and protection. He feels like the Lord is ignoring him. He is silent when David needs His comfort the most. We know that David is victorious over His enemies. That the Lord chose David and elevated him to the throne. But in his darkest hours, David wrote psalms of praise. He worshipped as he called out. He spoke faith and favor with his lips over his life. The Lord was faithful to deliver.

In both cases, we know the Lord was there all along. We know in both cases that the Divine Creator had a Divine Plan in the works. But when you are in that moment, when you are walking through that desert, it is so easy to forget to praise and worship the Lord. Job said that we must praise God not only when He give us the good in the life, but also when He allows the bad. And, Job had it bad!

Now take record of your life, your thoughts, your heart. When have you walked through the desert? Are you there now? Have you ever felt like the Lord has abandoned you or took away from you some of His most precious gifts? Think on those moments. DID YOU PRAISE THE LORD? DID YOU HAVE TOTAL FAITH THAT ALL THINGS COME TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THOSE THAT LOVE GOD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE? If you have and I am sure we all have fallen short of the mark on this one, repent. Put those doubts and worries, and most importantly pain, at the foot of the cross. Again I say, repent. Cast that burden to Lord and take up His which is light, which is easy.

The Holy One is ALWAYS in control. You are loved. You are protected. You are avenged. The Lord laid down His very life to spend an eternity with you. Again I say, REPENT. Fill your lips with praise and honor and glory. All which our Mighty God rightly deserves.

So this week of Sukkot, build a sukkah, maybe read your Bible outside, have your meals on the back porch, say your prayers in the woods, do any, all, or none of these things. But do reflect on the traveling, wandering, Israelites who sojourned for 40 YEARS (40 is the number of judgment), and grumbled and complained, whose spirit was sour, WHO LOST THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER THE PROMISE LAND. Guard your lips. Guard your heart. Guard your mind.

Life and death is in the power of the tongue. Do not serve the devil and speak negative curses over your life! But speak the promises of God, speak victory, speak praises of the King, speak defeat over the Adversary! You are more than a conqueror!

Homework:

Read Psalms 91 EVERY NIGHT this week.

Aloud, I want you to speak power and authority in Jesus name over your life. Plead the Blood of Christ over your families, homes, jobs, and every minute detail of your life. Say it with confidence and authority. Your Father is the King. He is All-Powerful! And Ha-Satan must submit to the great I AM!

Walk in victory this week. Find your purpose in the Creator. And, leave the fear behind. And most importantly, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

See you next week at the Shakad!

Selah