1"‘On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets.
2As an aroma pleasing to the Lord, offer a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.
- P136
6These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and drink offerings as specified. They are food offerings presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma. - P136
7"‘On the tenth day of this seventh month hold a sacred assembly. You must deny yourselves and do no work.
8Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.
- P137
On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites are to sound their instruments for the Festival of Trumpets. During this special time, the people are to offer almost twice as many sacrifices as on other new moon days. - P138
The offerings should all be without defect, like a well-cooked meal prepared with the finest ingredients. Presenting an offering that has defects would be comparable to preparing a meal that was thoughtlessly thrown together. - P138
Only the best is acceptable for God. After all, He, too, has given us His very best in His only Son. This is the sacrifice God is calling us to make: a sacrifice that gives Him the very best we have to offer. - P138
The Day of Atonement is a crucial day of the year. It is a day of humility, confession, and repentance. God stresses, "You must deny yourselves" (v. 7). Life with God is abundant and joyful, but there are times when we must acknowledge how this life is made possible. - P138
All of these sacrifices described here and elsewhere in the Old Testament ultimately point to the final and greatest sacrifice, one made by God on our behalf when His only Son suffered and died for our sins. - P138
When we stop to consider how great a sacrifice our Lord has made for us, we see both joy and pain: the joy of the new life we have been given, and the pain of the heavy price paid for our rebellion and sin. - P138
"My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest-my best for His glory."
-Oswald Chambers - P138
Father, I rejoice in the salvation I have through faith in Your Son, Jesus. - P139
At the same time, I confess that I have fallen short many times and taken that salvation for granted. I ask for Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P139
God outlines the offerings for the Day of Atonement and the Festival of Tabernacles. On the Day of Atonement, a special sacrifice of one bull, one ram,
and seven lambs is required. During the Festival of Tabernacles, which lastseight days, numerous offerings are made each day, including bulls, rams,
lambs, and grain offerings. - P141
My prayer walks often follow a certain template. I seek to begin with praiseand adoration, focusing on God, His attributes, and what He has done forme. However, before too long, I quickly transition into a time of wrestlingwith God, venting to Him about the trials I am facing and trying to makesense of them. I bring my worries and concerns and ask why they are takingplace. Instead of finding the peace that is my spiritual birthright as a childof God, I experience confusion and even moments of despair.
- P145
Yet, sometimes, I take time to remember. I think back on past seasons ofdespair and doubt, and call to mind how God has always come through forme. He has always provided the right opportunity for me to serve Him inministry. He has taken care of me financially through my ups and downs.
He answered my cries of loneliness with an amazing wife who displays thekindness of God to me each day. Soon, I am filled once again with faith,
and I find that peace that can guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. - P145
I am still learning about order and timing in prayer. I should stay longerin that initial place of adoration and then take a good amount of time toremember and give thanks. Then, I will be more sturdily equipped to bringtrials to the Lord. Wrestling may still occur, but I aim to build a strongerfoundation of faith in God, who can do more than I ask or imagine. - P145
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