“My soul waits for the Lord, more than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.“ Psalm 130:6
As Israel heads into another 3-week lockdown during the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days due to the high Coronavirus morbidity rate, one may be reminded of the similar situation not long ago ahead of the spring feast of Pesach, when the life-infringing movement restrictions were first introduced to the inhabitants of the earth because of the novel virus that had descended upon us.
While the halting of life as we knew it was all new and scary then, some were encouraged to look upon the situation as a Jewish Shabbat – and an opportunity to take a break from the busy frenzy of our modern world to reflectively look inward.
So if we allow ourselves to entertain the thought that this was the purpose of the lockdowns as we are again confronted with yet another such closure just half a year later; we might start to ponder if perhaps we missed the opportunity then and have perhaps been given another chance to take inventory of our state of affairs.
After all, we are urged in the Bible not to harden our hearts when we hear God’s call and to make every effort to enter His rest.
The Jewish New Year or Rosh Ha’Shana began on the eve of September 18, marking the start of the year 5781 on the corresponding first day of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar. It is also called Yom Teruah or the Day of Blowing the Shofars, which in Jewish tradition ushers in a period called Ten Days of Awe for the repentance, seeking of forgiveness and making amends with God and fellow men. The Hebrew sages say that the Books of Life and Death are opened that day and closed ten days later on Yom Kippur, the Great Day of Atonement. What is written within for the coming year can be changed for better or for worse during these Days of Awe.
Thus, regardless if you believe or not that with the coming of our Lord Jesus or Yeshua and His one-time atoning sacrifice of His life one is redeemed and has his name written in the Book of Life by repenting and putting one’s faith in Him, allow us to encourage you to join us here in Jerusalem and myriads of other believers and followers of the God of Israel in the world to watch and pray and wait on the Lord as the trumpets herald another new season. Should you have assurance regarding your salvation, you are welcome to pray for those who are not yet so fortunate, as well as for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel. In these awe-inspiring days of peace accords being born between the Jewish State and the Arab world, it may serve well to stand in the gap for the rest of the world to make their peace with the Ruler of the Kingdom of Heaven.
In His Word, God also encourages us to recall the ancient paths and learn from them (Jeremiah 6:16). So perhaps you might be interested to delve into a new program of TV7 Israel that is hot off the oven and available on our website called “Watchmen Talk.” While there are prayer warriors on the earth and angelic watchmen in the heavenlies, there are also those among us who are called to defend our countries and to fight off enemies that may seek to harm us or threaten our safety and security. Our new 30-minute program will introduce to you those Israeli men and women who have stood guard over Israel on its numerous fronts during many of our past conflicts. They will share their stories, offering insight to what goes on behind the security and intelligence scenes and what wisdom could be gleaned from past feats and failures.
This month’s Editor’s Note program is also available. In it you will find out about the latest news and challenges of TV7 Israel office in Jerusalem, and what Jonathan and Yair have in their hearts to share with you this time.
In case you have been longing to visit Jerusalem these days and have been unable to because of the closure of the borders, you may be interested to know that we have a live webcam feed overlooking the Old city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount on our website. Thus, you might want to rest your eyes on the Holy City and find inspiration as you watch and pray for its peace and the salvation of its citizens during these Days of Awe.
TV7 Israel team wishes you a Happy and Sweet Year 5781! And as they say here in the Land – May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good year! Shalom from Jerusalem!
“Lord, I cry out to you out of the depths of my despair! Hear my voice, O God! Answer this prayer and hear my plea for mercy. Lord, if you measured us and marked us with our sins, who would ever have their prayers answered? But your forgiving love is what makes you so wonderful. No wonder you are loved and worshiped! This is why I wait upon you, expecting your breakthrough, for your word brings me hope. I long for you more than any watchman would long for the morning light. I will watch and wait for you, O God, throughout the night. O Israel, keep hoping, keep trusting, and keep waiting on the Lord, for he is tender-hearted, kind, and forgiving. He has a thousand ways to set you free! He himself will redeem you; he will ransom you from the cruel slavery of your sins!” Psalm 130, TPT
–By Monika Jaaguri