Yom Kippur: Reflections on the Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur is a time to quiet ourselves and rest in his kindness, receive the light he reveals. 

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Yom Kippur is upon us, celebrating the Day of Atonement.  In preparation, we are being encouraged to posture ourselves to receive the gift of forgiveness, the greatest gift Jesus can ever give us.  

Last night ‘out of the blue’ Jesus reminded me of something from a couple of decades ago that I’ve been holding onto.  Oh my!  In utter shock, my response was, really?  I’m really holding on to that?  I let it go and received his forgiveness.  The freedom that rushed in can’t be explained with words.  

The will of God is freedom, that’s why Jesus came to earth to set us free.  When we’re set free we can do the work and will of our Father to set others free.  That’s why Jesus breathed on his disciples to go and release forgiveness and set people free. 

I was just resting in his presence and Jesus came with his kindness, not condemnation, melted my heart and I ran to his forgiveness.  I found myself asking, “What else, what else am I holding onto, show me, let’s get it all out.”  That’s what the kindness of the Lord does.  It makes us run into his arms and say, “Have your way Abba, not my will but your’s be done.”  Our hearts are softened and we are willing to go anywhere and do anything for him.  

Yom Kippur is a time to quiet ourselves and rest in his kindness, receive the light he reveals.  We are not to strive, we don’t have to put on sackcloth and ashes, rather we put on Jesus and his kindness that leads us to repentance.  That was his design from the beginning.  

In the last 24 hours I’ve had a word burning in my spirit from the September 4 daily journal: I’m sure you remember it, but just in case you don’t: 

“September will be brighter than ever with enormous exposure, October will be darker than ever.  The light will push back the darkness.”  

September has brought amazing light to world events with enormous exposure.  Now, don’t be caught unaware of the darkness of October.  Jesus is reminding us that October is going to bring an onslaught of dark evil activity right up to the election.  Many lies and accusations against God’s servants, some may even face death in martyrdom, yet the church is growing and will grow more than ever.  

The enemy tried to close down the church and the church took to the streets and light went out.  The enemy will attempt to squash this momentum with darkness, trying to literally snuff out the light.  

In this dark hour in history, God is sending out light, let your light shine, with acts that will turn the hardest of hearts, extraordinary light in the darkness.  The darkness is a tool that Jesus will you to suddenly turn things around.  

Jesus stands at the alter, a candlelight service begins with one candle being lit, then that candle lights the next, and so on.  I’m sure you’ve participated in a candlelight service, there’s nothing like it.  This service covers the entire earth, by the end of October, the entire earth with be lit up and the darkness will not be seen only the light of Jesus shining through his church.  Accomplishing His will.  Hearts will melt in the warmth of the light.  

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The lights will shine, men will see good works, not preaching but good works by the power of God’s grace and God will be glorified.   

The spark that lights the first candle is the kindness of God, it leads to repentance, softening hearts to receive the goodness of God and his power, his grace.  This is what the world is primed for.  

Those who have been spreading hatred and animosity are tired and weary, they don’t even believe the lies anymore, they are primed and ready to receive the kindness of God, Jesus Christ our Righteousness.  They don’t even know how much they need it.  They just know they are tired and weary, they are empty and worn out.  Tired of searching, knowing that ‘their truth’ doesn’t work.  They are ready to come out of the darkness.  The screams, shrills, and shrieks we heard in the streets this month will be louder in October but will become shouts of joy as people are delivered from demonic oppression.  The name of Jesus will be scorned and cursed, this is a set up for the light to shine and expose the motives of the enemy and turn it back on his head.  

The Spirit of God is hovering over the darkness, ready to deliver life, The Life of Jesus Christ to empty hearts too weak to cry out for help. As I listen to this, my heart is filled with tears over the kindness of our Savior, The Atonement for our sins.  

For God so loves he’s sending the light of his only son into the darkness that covers the world to bring eternal light and life.  

In this light, there will be millions of baptisms performed in the streets, not in church baptismal.  

Oh the dancing, the joy, this is what I see, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Fill up your lamps and get ready to receive the light of the world.

 

 

Featured Image by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

 

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About the Author

William Cuccia is a Kingdom Winds Contributor who loves to write what he hears when he listens in the quiet moments.