Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based on God's Calendar - Winter: Divine Appointments: Daily Devotionals Based On God's Calendar, #4

By Tracy Krauss

In the Bible, God gave specific instructions about setting apart certain days, weeks, and special celebrations – His appointed times. This daily devotional walks readers through the winter season of the year by following the Hebrew months and is the fourth volume in this series. Each day contains a short devotional, scripture, and prayer.

While many Jews continue to observe this schedule of events, many Christians feel that it is not relevant, or that the New Testament did away with these traditions. Scripture does not back this up. In fact, both Jesus and the early church followed these appointed times. One might argue that they did so because they were Jewish, but Christians should be reminded that they have been 'grafted in' to that very tree! Observing God's calendar is not the same as taking up a burden of tradition and is not necessary for salvation. Instead, it is a way to celebrate and enhance our heritage as children of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fictitious Ink Publishing
• Release date: Jul 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781988447780

Tracy Krauss

Tracy Krauss is a best selling and award winning author and playwright. "Fiction on the edge without crossing the line"

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Why follow the Hebrew calendar?

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Acts 17: 26

And He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation. (NASB)

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In the Old Testament, God gave His people very specific instructions about the days of the week, months, and special feasts throughout the year. While many Jews continue to observe—or at least know about—this schedule of events, many Christians feel that following God’s calendar is not relevant, or that the New Testament did away with these traditions. However, nowhere in scripture does it tell us to ignore the plans that God put in place. In fact, both Jesus and the early church followed the appointed times as laid out by God. One might argue that they did so because they were Jewish, but perhaps we need to be reminded that we have been ‘grafted in’ to that very tree! As a bonus, we are positioning ourselves for God’s blessing when we align ourselves with His timing. It should be our desire to follow God’s plan, not because we have to, but because it is a joy to do so. God is the one who set these timetables in motion, and He did not instruct us to change them. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

This series walks readers through each season of the year by following the Hebrew months. Each day contains a short explanation or devotional, scripture to read and ponder, and a prayer focus. It is my attempt at introducing readers to the wonders of following God’s calendar. I do not claim to be an expert, but only hope to offer what little insight God has given me as I strive to come closer to Him. May I suggest consulting a Jewish calendar in order to begin on the correct day.

The resources used are listed at the end of the book. References are general in that the idea to write down what I had been learning came well after the initial reading and research. When possible, I have given specific references, but most information was internalized and then regurgitated without having written specific quotations down.

Please remember that the point of observing God’s calendar is not to take up a burden of tradition. We know that this is not necessary for our salvation. Instead, it is a way to celebrate and enhance our heritage as children of God. It is my prayer that as you follow along, you will be blessed beyond your own imagining.

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TEVET

TEVET - Month 10

The Month of Dan

29 days - December/January

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Tevet is the first of the winter months, heralding in the last season of the Hebrew year. The last days of Hanukkah take place during Tevet and usually Christmas does too, so it’s a great month to continue in a celebratory mode. It often bridges the new year in the modern calendar, so it is a good time to reassess one’s goals and seek revelational guidance for the coming year. Continue to celebrate and seek God’s guidance this month.

Tevet Day 1 - Rosh Chodesh and Hanukkah Day 7

Another new month is upon us! Today we can celebrate a double blessing in that Hanukkah continues with the lighting of the eighth candle, but it is also a brand new month. As always, we want to honour the Lord with the first fruits of our time on this day.

One might wonder how a person can afford so many ‘special’ days throughout the year. We live in a busy world with many commitments and activities vying for our attention. How can we possibly set apart so many days to rest and reflect? There is the weekly Sabbath, the monthly new moon, plus all the special feast days. Does God really expect me to ‘do no ordinary work’ so many times each year?

I think our answer lies in Paul’s advice in his letters to the early church. As we noted last month and elsewhere, we can never earn our salvation through doing good works, following traditions, or keeping a set schedule. We are no longer slaves to the law because Christ came as the fulfillment of that law. To not observe these special days does not affect our security in Christ.

However, there is blessing and joy in keeping His appointments because God honours His promises. Just like tithing doesn’t make sense from a worldly point of view, God blesses us when we choose to tithe. So, too, our lives are enriched when we take time on His appointed days to reflect and worship Him. Somehow, He makes the remaining time more productive. Why not see for yourself this month?

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Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15: 20 - 28

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. (NASB)

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Galatians 3: 10 -14

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them. Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for The righteous shall live by faith. But the law is not of faith, rather The one who does them shall live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree--so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (ESV)

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Galatians 3: 21 - 29

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (ESV)

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Romans 14: 5 - 8

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (ESV)

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Prayer focus:

Blessed are You, Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has set us apart for Your purposes. Blessed are You Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has done miracles for our fathers in the days at this season. Blessed are You Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us in life, sustaining us throughout the year.

Thank You for this special day and for another new month in which to worship You. I dedicate the month of Tevet to You and pray for Your guidance and wisdom. Show me how I can honour You on Your appointed days without turning them into a burden or days filled with meaningless traditions. Instead, help me to worship You as You deserve. Continue to show me ways in which to dedicate the first fruits of my life to You.

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Depending on the year, this is either the second last or the last day of Hanukkah. Check your calendar, since some years there are only 29 days in Kislev, and thus some discrepancy in this reading schedule may have occurred.

Tevet Day 2 - Hanukkah Day 8

Today is the last day of Hanukkah! (Check your calendar for clarification.) Since Hanukkah is known as the Feast of Dedication it seems like a good time to rededicate our lives to God. Also, Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights stemming from the story of the menorah lights not going out, as we read last month. The ninth and final candle is lit this evening, commemorating the miracle during the time of the Maccabees. It is the climax of the holiday and for many Jewish families the most important evening of the festival. Consider reviewing some of the traditions presented in last month’s readings and plan a celebration of your own. As Christians, we have added incentive to celebrate because we know Jesus will return to rule and reign!

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Scripture:

Matthew 16: 24 - 28

Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. (ESV)

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Revelation 1: 4b - 7

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen. (ESV)

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Matthew 5: 14 - 19

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (NASB)

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Prayer Focus:

Blessed are You, Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has set us apart for Your purposes. Blessed are You Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has done miracles for our fathers in the days at this season. Blessed are You Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us in life, sustaining us, and who has brought us to this season.

I re-dedicate my life to You, Lord Jesus. You are the light of the world! You rule and reign in majesty over heaven and earth. Holy are You and worthy of all our praise. Worthy are You, the lamb that was slain. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Blessing, strength and honour be to You, O Lord our God. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The entire universe is Yours and by You all things were created. Thank You that You have reached down in Your mercy to commune with us. You are the light of the world, You shine like the sun, and Your glory never fades. You are our beacon of hope.

Tevet Day 3

As we’ve seen through this journey, each month of the Jewish calendar corresponds with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is also found in Psalm 119, David’s acrostic celebrating God’s Word. The month of Tevet is represented by the letter AYIN which has several meanings.

First of all, it represents an eye, not only in the regular sense of being able to see, but also as a gateway to knowledge. Ayin also means a spring of water or fountain. These two meanings are tied together in that the eyes are considered one of four ‘fountains’ of the body. We cry when in pain or feeling intense emotions. (The other fountains are the mouth, the skin because we perspire, and the urinary tract.) These fountains all have to do with purification and cleansing, which is also an important theme during the month of Tevet.

We will examine these aspects of Ayin more closely in the coming days. For today, note the reference to the eyes as a portal to knowledge in David’s poem as well as his longing for justice, which is another important aspect of the month of Tevet.

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Scripture:

Psalm 119: 121-128

I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.

Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation

And for Your righteous word.

Deal with Your servant

According to Your lovingkindness

And teach me Your statutes.

I am Your servant; give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.

It is time for the Lord to act,