Sukkot Joy, Day 1

Rejoicing over God’s Past Provision Sukkot (Soo-KOTE) is the only moad (MO-ed), or “appointed time,” during which God commands His people to rejoice. It may seem like an unusual instruction. Can you command joy? Isn’t it, instead, a spontaneous, involuntary response?

By reading God’s instructions about Sukkot, we can understand that joy can be a choice as well as a response. Intentional rejoicing begins with choosing to contemplate things worth celebrating.

Sukkot reflects back to God’s provision for the Jewish people in the wilderness after He led them out of Egypt. Not only did He free them from slavery, He also gave them clean water from a rock and sustained them with a mysterious food they called manna. For 40 years, the people wandered in the desert. In all that time, neither their clothing nor their sandals wore out.

At Sukkot, we rejoice over this care God gave to the Israelites in the wilderness. Repeatedly in the Scriptures, God instructs Israel to remember what He has done for them. Doing so fostered courage, hope, and joy in the hearts of His people.

“God’s deeds and works make the heart glad and soul sing for joy.”

―Psalm 92:5

The Feast of Booths, Sukkot, offers us the occasion to reflect on how God has provided for us in our own lives as well. Think about the “deeds and works” God has done in your life through the years. Remember ways He sustained you through various hardships. Call to mind the prayers He answered that changed your circumstances – or changed you.

On this first day of Sukkot, may God fill your heart with joy for all that He has done for Israel and for you in.

Sukkot Joy, Day 2

Rejoicing over God’s Current Provision Some blessings in our lives are so constant that it’s easy to forget they are gifts. God gave a unique instruction for observing the Feast of Sukkot (Soo-KOTE) that can help us remember. We are to build and live in a sukkah (SOUH-kah), or “booth,” for the week-long festival. In Leviticus 23:43, He explained His purpose: so that the people of Israel ‒ and all subsequent generations ‒ would remember that God made Israel live in tents when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Historically, Sukkot was also an agricultural festival requiring Jewish people to make a firstfruits offering from the fall harvest. While they remember how God met the needs of their ancestors, Israel also rejoiced in His provision for their lives in the present day.

As we consider the children of Israel and all that God did for them in the wilderness, we can’t help but compare our lives to theirs. Today, most of us enjoy a wide variety of daily food choices, and we are never far from safe drinking water. We own multiple sets of clothing and live in homes with several comfortable rooms that offer us more-than-adequate shelter from the elements. Sukkot urges us to not only be grateful for these gifts, but to rejoice over them. Even these ordinary provisions remind us that every gift from God is a great thing.

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.”

―Psalm 126:3

God goes far beyond making sure our physical needs are met. He is intimately involved in each of our lives to nurture and mature us, and to equip us for His work. He has a purpose for each one of us, and He strengthens us to fulfill His calling in our lives. This Sukkot, as you celebrate God’s material provision for you, choose joy by also reflecting on His spiritual provision and how He is working in your life today. Rejoice!

Sukkot Joy, Day 3

Rejoicing over God’s faithfulness

God promised Abraham that He would make his descendants like the stars – so vast in number they’d be virtually countless. How outlandish those words must have seemed to a 75-year-old man and his 65-year-old, barren wife. Yet, today, we know that God kept that promise. There are now more than 14 million Jewish people in the world. When added to the generations across the millennia since the birth of Isaac, son of the promise, the numbers are beyond calculation.

The starry sky, seen through the leafy roof of a sukkah (SOUH-kah), testifies to God’s faithfulness. He is our rock, steady and true. He never changes, and His love remains. The everlasting God keeps His covenants and fulfills all His promises.

“Know therefore that Adonai your God, He is God ‒ the faithful God who keeps covenant kindness for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His mitzvot.”

―Deuteronomy 7:9

“For Your love is higher than the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”

―Psalm 108:5

Celebrating God’s faithfulness is a vital part of our Sukkot joy. We know that He has been faithful to Israel (Psalm 94:14), and He will be faithful to us today as well (1 Thessalonians 5:24). God’s Word tells us that He will complete the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6) and that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). Even “if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

On this third day of Sukkot, rejoice in God’s faithfulness to Israel and to Believers in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). Take a few moments to also reflect on ways He has proved Himself faithful to you. May your joy overflow as you recall His steadfast love and power in your life.

Sukkot Joy, Day 4

Increasing joy

Rejoicing is both spontaneous and deliberate. We’ve been exploring ways to choose joy through intentional reflection and thanksgiving. Is it also possible to cultivate natural joy? Can we participate with God in fostering our increasing joy?

The Bible indicates that joy is not only a fruit of the Spirit, but it is also a fruit of trusting God.

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him and are filled with a joy that is glorious beyond words.”

―1 Peter 1:8 

When we placed our faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, we trusted Him with our need for a Redeemer. As a result, we experienced the joy of being reconciled to God.

Joy is also generated when we trust God day by day. As we lay our needs and concerns in His hands, trusting His will for the outcomes, our hearts rest in His love, wisdom and power toward us. Joy and peace follow.

 “Adonai is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I was helped. Therefore my heart leaps for joy, and I will praise Him with my song.”

―Psalm 28:7

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.”

―Romans 15:13

Sometimes, trusting God is easier to understand than it is to accomplish. But etting go and truly trusting Him can be difficult in certain areas of our lives. As part of your Sukkot (Soo-KOTE) celebration, think about how God might be calling you to deepen your trust in Him. When you accomplish that, His joy will be waiting for you.

Sukkot Joy, Day 5

Rejoicing over God’s atonement

Just five days after the most solemn day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur (YOHM Kip-POUR) – the Day of Atonement – God commands a week of rejoicing at Sukkot (Soo-KOTE). God covered the sins of Israel once a year on Yom Kippur. He required remembrance and rejoicing to follow soon afterward.

During Sukkot, we celebrate God’s provision for us, His faithfulness to keep His promises and His presence with us. These gifts are most vividly revealed in the complete atonement available to us in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). As we receive the salvation Yeshua offers, God welcomes us, forgives us, cleanses us from sin and gives us eternal life, filling us with joy.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I proclaim Good News to you, which will be great joy to all the people.”

―Luke 2:10 

Through the course of everyday life as we encounter various discouragements and challenges, we can lose sight of this joy. King David did when he came face-to-face with the ugliness of his sin (2 Samuel 11‒12). In Psalm 51, he pleaded with God: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

We can rekindle this joy by reflecting on the magnitude of Yeshua’s sacrifice and what it gained for us. On this fifth day of Sukkot, may your heart overflow with thankfulness for your salvation. You have been reconciled to God and have been given eternal, abundant life in Yeshua. That’s cause for rejoicing!

Sukkot Joy, Day 6

Rejoicing over God’s presence

In the wilderness, God’s presence dwelled with the Israelites, first in the pillars of cloud and smoke and later in the tabernacle. The Feast of Booths invites us to celebrate God’s ancient presence with His people in the wilderness as well as his presence with us today.

God’s presence with us has and continues to be among His greatest gifts. Through the Holy Spirit, God makes His home in the hearts of Believers. We have available to us perpetual access to the God of all creation along with His wisdom, guidance, comfort, and power. God’s presence also offers us joy.

“… Abundance of joys are in Your presence, eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

―Psalm 16:11

God is incomparable. His purity and goodness are matchless. His greatness is unsearchable and His power immeasurable. His love is endless. He has reconciled us to Himself through Yeshua (Jesus) so that we may come into His presence and know that He Himself is the source of overflowing joy.

“I will come to the altar of God, to the God of my exceeding joy, and praise You upon the harp ‒ O God, my God.”

―Psalm 43:4 

As you take time to intentionally rejoice during the Feast of Sukkot (Soo-KOTE), may you discover true joy in fellowship with God, delighting in His presence and celebrating His immense love.

Sukkot Joy, Day 7

Rejoicing over our eternal home

God requires the Jewish people to live in “booths” during the Feast of Sukkot (Soo-KOTE) so they will remember the living conditions of their ancestors in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:43). The children of Israel hadn’t yet entered the Promised Land, which was to be their permanent home, so until then, God had them live in tent-like, temporary housing.

Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) know that this earthly world is not our true home. The bodies we live in are temporary, a shadow of what is to come. The apostle Paul called them tents.

“For we know that if the tent, our earthly home, is torn down, we have a building from God – a home not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens.”

―2 Corinthians 5:1

Each of God’s moadim (mo-eh-DEEM), the “appointed times” of His feasts, contains a prophetic picture of something the Messiah would fulfill later. The time is coming when the Jewish people will recognize Yeshua as the promised Messiah, and “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25‒26). When that takes place ‒ when Yeshua returns to gather His elect ‒ we will receive new, heavenly bodies and dwell with God throughout eternity.

According to Paul, these new bodies will not be mere tents, but “buildings” – our permanent housing. The temporary structures of our earthly lives will be replaced with strong eternal homes in God’s presence forever.

That calls for rejoicing! This is Sukkot joy.

Sukkot celebrates the gift of God’s presence now and for eternity when our joy will be made full. May you carry your Sukkot joy into every day from now until then.

Yom Kippur (YOHM Kip-POUR) is the holiest day of the Jewish Year. It is the Day of Atonement and one of the biblically commanded Feasts of the Lord. Yom Kippur is a solemn occasion focusing on our deep need for forgiveness and covering for our sin.

During the days of the tabernacle and Temples, it was the one day of the year when the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies. He came bringing the blood of sacrifices, first for his own sins and those of his family, then for all Israel.

The Holy of Holies was a curtained-off area of the tabernacle or Temple containing the Ark of the Covenant and the very presence of God. If the priest did not do his service according to God’s commands, he could die. Sin is serious to God, and the Day of Atonement is a serious day.

Jewish people prepare for Yom Kippur during the 40 days preceding it. Beginning in the Hebrew month of Elul, Jewish hearts turn inward with self-examination before God to identify, confess and repent of their sins.

Jewish tradition teaches that on the first day of the month of Tishrei – which is Rosh Hashanah, the “head of the year” – God pronounces judgment on each Jewish person for the following year. Ten days later, at Yom Kippur, He seals it.

The period between the two holidays is known as the Days of Awe, and during them, introspection reaches its most intense of the season, culminating on Yom Kippur.

Biblical instructions for observing the Day of Atonement are found in Leviticus chapters 16 and 23 as well as Numbers chapter 29. They include four things. We are to:

• Come together in a sacred assembly

• Bring sacrifices and offerings

• Do no work

• Afflict ourselves

The Bible is not specific regarding what it means to afflict oneself. Jewish people fast from food and water for 25 hours at Yom Kippur and also abstain from various pleasures. They do no work on Yom Kippur, and it is the most important day of the year to attend synagogue.

The final element of observing the Day of Atonement has not been possible for nearly 2,000 years. When the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., the sacrificial system ceased. Today’s Judaism substitutes Temple sacrifices with prayer, repentance (teshuvah, teh-SHOO-vah) and tzedakah (tzeh-DAH-kah), which means works of righteousness or charity.

Messianic Jews observe Yom Kippur with fasting, prayer, abstaining from work and attending congregational services. Messianic Jews recognize that Yeshua (Jesus) has made complete atonement for our sins. His blood not only makes available a covering for sin but is also able to cleanse our conscience (Hebrews 9:13–14). The names of those who believe in Him and receive His sacrifice are sealed in the Book of Life through the Holy Spirit.

For Messianic Jews, Yom Kippur is a solemn day to acknowledge the high cost of our sin and stand before God in humble gratitude for His provision of forgiveness, cleansing and eternal life through the Messiah Yeshua.

This year, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on Tuesday, September 18 and ends at sundown Wednesday, September 19.

Palestinians Refuse to Deal with U.S.

Abbas frequently has laid down his prerequisites for peace. He told Britain’s Prince William in June that Palestinians are “serious about reaching peace with Israel, where the two states would live next to each other in security and stability” – based on the June 4 (1967) borders.

“This has been our position for a long time. We want to achieve peace through peace negotiations.” Abbas said, adding that the Palestinians are “committed to combating terrorism locally, regionally and internationally.”

But Abbas claims the U.S. is too biased toward Israel to act as a peace broker.

 “The PA has boycotted the Trump administration and rebuffed its peace efforts since the U.S. President’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December of last year,” reported The Times of Israel. “The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem — which Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 Six Day War and later annexed — as the capital of their future state.”

World Israel News reported this summer, “Palestinian sources said there was a concern the U.S. would take painful punitive actions against them if they continued to boycott U.S. efforts to achieve a peace agreement.”

Compromise is Critical for Attaining Peace

Ambassador Haley said the Trump administration’s proposal contains elements that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians will like. She called it “unbelievably detailed,” “thoroughly done” and “well-thought-out from both sides.” Netanyahu has agreed to hear it, but Abbas has refused.

The monthly Peace Index poll – sponsored by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University – said 89 percent of Israeli Jewish people doubt there will be a “positive breakthrough in Israel’s relations with the Palestinians,” The Jerusalem Post reported last week. The same poll shows 71 percent of Palestinian respondents believe as of this month that “the chances of such a breakthrough are slim.”

Haley encouraged, “We have to put pressure on Abbas and say, It’s time. It’s time for a better life for Palestinians. And only he can deliver that. And we have to acknowledge that Hamas is part of the problem.”

Please pray with us:

• Thanking God for the Trump administration’s efforts to look for new ways to reach Middle East peace

• That all Israeli citizens will recognize the most important truth – the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus)

Yom Kippur is a solemn day when Jewish people reflect on their sin from the past year. They come humbly before God seeking forgiveness and His favorable “sealing” for the coming year. Messianic Jews understand that Yeshua (Jesus) is our perfect high priest who sacrificed His own blood and took it into the heavenly Holy of Holies on our behalf. With His blood, He made complete atonement for us.

Here are some Scriptures to help as you worship God on Yom Kippur. May your day be filled with humility, genuine repentance, gratitude and awe.

Yeshua, your atonement

The Jewish roots of the New Covenant come alive in Hebrews chapters 7–10 as they reveal how Yeshua is our high priest, sacrifice and atonement.

Consider what your sin cost Yeshua

• He humbled Himself to save you – Philippians 2:5–8

• He suffered fear, anguish and pain for you – Luke 22:41–44. Luke 22:63–65, Isaiah 53

• He was scarred more than any man – Isaiah 52:14

• He willingly gave His life “for the joy set before Him”: your reconciliation to God – Hebrews 12:1–3

Meditate on what Jesus’ sacrifice acquired for you

• Eternal life – John 3:16, 10:28

• Abundant life – John 10:10

• Peace with God – Romans 5:1

• Redemption – Ephesians 1:7–8

• Atonement – 1 John 2:2, 4:10

• The righteousness of God – 2 Corinthians 5:21

• You are a child of God – John 1:12

• You are a new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17

• You cannot be separated from God’s love – Romans 8:35

• You are sealed for eternity in God – 2 Corinthians 1:21–22, Ephesians 1:13–14

• There is no longer any condemnation for you – Romans 8:1

Reflect on what Yeshua does for you

• He never leaves you – Matthew 28:20

• He intercedes for you – Hebrews 7:25

• He empowers and strengthens you – Philippians 4:13

• He heals you – 1 Peter 2:23–24, Isaiah 53:5

• He helps you when you are tested – Hebrews 2:18

May you have a sacred and holy Yom Kippur.

Please pray with us for:

ALAMATA, ETHIOPIA

Wednesday, September 26–Wednesday, October 3 • Isaiah 40:3

• All aspects of set-up to go smoothly and safely

• Effective preparation of the local health clinic we are renting as well as additional tents to expand our ability to care for those who come

• Last-minute details for both staff and Outreach Partners as they prepare to travel

• Every permission, document and logistic in place well ahead of time, with great favor on the spiritual nature of why we come

Thursday, October 4 • Revelation 22:13

• Good health and every aspect of travel preparations to come together with ease for our Outreach Partners

• Timely flight connections with all luggage and Partners arriving together

• Protection over our Partners’ families, jobs, and all that pertains to them while they are ministering away from home ‒ and the same protection for staff and their families

Friday, October 5 • Psalm 54:4 (NIV) Psalm 54:6 (TLV)

• Sustained strength and energy in every area: spiritual, physical, emotional

• Easy adjustments to new time zones, food and cultures in each location

• The Lord to continue speaking vision and purpose to each participant, reminding them that He has called them for such a time as this

• The renewing power found in celebrating Shabbat together as well as a good night's sleep to enable everyone to start the Alamata Outreach well rested

Saturday, October 6 • Colossians 3:23–24

• Spiritual readiness for every participant regarding differences in culture, living conditions and various spiritual dynamics

• Discernment in acquiring a full team of local workers who will give their all with great attitudes and hard work

• The Lord to prepare every heart in the region with openness to receiving the Good News ‒ with no opposition

Sunday, October 7 • Luke 8:15

• A great Orientation in which each participant comprehends the overall purpose and flow of the Alamata Medical Clinic along with their unique roles for the week

• Strong and lasting favor from key leaders and people of influence: may it open doors and may they come to Yeshua themselves

• Word to spread throughout the region and many to come for treatment, including today as the Clinic opens for a half day

Monday, October 8 • Colossians 3:16

• Worship and prayer to flow each day during the team’s morning meeting times creating a canopy of praise that pushes back darkness

• Persistence in prayer to vanquish opposition in the spiritual realms and set captives free

• Strongholds to be broken in individuals, families and the region as we seek the Lord God Almighty on behalf of Alamata

Tuesday, October 9 • Matthew 15:30

• Healing through both medical and miraculous means for the many patients we will see

• Deliverance from oppression of all kinds leading to salvation and freedom

• Blessings on the effectiveness of each area of care including medical, minor surgery, dental and eye surgery

Wednesday, October 10 • John 21:15

• Strengthening of local Messianic Believers who will follow up with those who want to learn more about Yeshua (Jesus) after the Medical Clinic

• The resurrection power of Yeshua to be manifest in us, through us and in every aspect of both these Clinics

• Worship and prayer to lift the spirits of our team and banish the schemes of the enemy

Thursday, October 11 • Matthew 25:23

• The many individuals in need of treatment this last day of the Alamata Medical Outreach

• Protection of people and equipment as tents are taken down and supplies packed up

• Each Partner to know the Lord’s delight in their labor of love

Friday, October 12 • Isaiah 47:4

• A wonderful evening of Shabbat rest and joy as Partners and staff share fellowship and testimonies of all the Lord has done during the Clinic in Alamata

• Safety as the team begins to travel again, some beginning the journey home and some traveling on to Jijiga

• The Lord to command His heavenly host to watch over the Jijiga team, their travel and ministry there

JIJIGA, ETHIOPIA

Saturday, October 13 • Isaiah 54:17

• The Jijiga team to walk in continued health, protection and spiritual fortitude as they adapt to this new area in northeastern Ethiopia

• Clear and effective Orientation for this smaller Clinic specializing in dental and eye care only; safe and efficient set-up at the local facility we’ll be using

• Ongoing favor from the surrounding community and region for the care we are providing

• The Lord’s guidance as we serve these dear ones whom the world has forgotten but their Father has not

Sunday – Monday, October 14–15 • Matthew 9:36

• Grace from the Lord to effectively meet the dental and eye care needs of the local Yibir (Hebrew) people and their neighbors and as we honor and connect with their leaders

• The Lord’s power enabling us to make the most of this opportunity multiplying our efforts during these two full days of the JijigaClinic

• The ability to see this people and region as the Lord does, receiving revelation of His heart and plans for them

Tuesday, October 16 • Deuteronomy 28:6

• Anointing on this last half-day of the Clinic that will remain and bless long after we are gone

• Successful and safe tear-down of the Clinic and all equipment

• Safe travel, meaningful memories and sweet fellowship and testimonies as the Jijiga team departs and begins the long journey home

• A residual blessing with no backlash for these two areas, those we ministered to and each one who served in these Clinics in Ethiopia

We pray:

Father, You are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You know and love the people You have made, and You do not forget the work of Your hands. May you remember the precious Jewish people of Ethiopia ‒ and their neighbors ‒ by bringing healing and deliverance of every kind in the name of Yeshua! Amen.