Today is the final day of Cheshvan. As we have learned, this month is representative of darkness and gloominess. Tomorrow begins a new month called Kislev, which is the month that Hanukkah, the Festival of Light, is celebrated. So as we transition from a month of darkness to a month of light, let us take note of this concept: before the light comes, there must first be darkness. Before the day breaks, you have to endure the night, as the Psalmist says:
“Sing praise to the Lord, O all of you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. For His anger endures but a moment; in His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4-5)
The Psalmist also said:
“Those that sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting: singing as they come, the song of the Lord.” (Psalm 126:5-6)
At one time or another, all of us have had to endure darkness and gloominess. All of us have gone through trials and know the pain and weeping that accompany these trials. Whether it’s financial, physical or relational, we all have felt anguish and despair at different times in our lives and, likewise, have experienced the longing and anticipation of the joy we trust will come with the morning’s light. Know this — one day the light will break through and the gloominess will be lifted. Do not give up but look up! Lift up your head because the day is breaking and bringing with it the joy of the Lord.
If we are to fulfill our destiny and possess the land, it is required that we possess inner strength, courage to face the enemy and, most importantly, an unshakeable confidence in our God. Without these qualities, the task before us would be hard to accomplish and, therefore, God allows us to go through these times of darkness. To endure this process may require tears and hardships, but through the tears we see the promise given to us by our Messiah: He has overcome the world and, if we are in Him, we can too. To possess the land will require a lot of us, but we must trust that the Father will see us through all hardships, trials, and tribulations.
In closing, consider the words of the Psalmist:
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer your foot to be moved: He that keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-4)
Shalom.
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