Today happens to be the beginning of Rosh Hashana. It is considered “New Year” but obviously it isn’t a new year but the “Head” of the year. It is the beginning of new things.

In the Hebrew Calendar it was in the beginning of the 7th month. Many point to the fact that as Harvest is ending the Agricultural Year, it is Starting another year.

My wife was a teacher for 35 years and of course we had children, and so September/October always feels like the beginning of a new year, though it’s the start of the Fall.

But Rosh Hashanah is also a 10-day time of preparation before the Day of Atonement – the annual offering of sacrifice for the sins of the people.

Why am I talking about this, well it’s good to stop and consider what God is doing, has done, and can do. Then it’s also good before we seek forgiveness to stop and remember, recognize, repent, and return to the Lord.

So just a few thoughts. Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1 talk about this Sacred Day, Solemn Assembly

23 The LORD spoke to Moses: 24 “Tell the Israelites: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a day of complete rest, commemoration, and trumpet blasts—a sacred assembly 25 You must not do any daily work, but you must present a food offering to the LORD.” (CSB)

How do we prepare for the move of God in our lives?

• Rest – stop working – be reminded that I cannot do anything to be worship of God’s love and God’s forgiveness
• Commemorate – Remember what God has done for you. Make a list. Nothing is too small for inclusion. Nothing to insignificant to include. What has God done for you TODAY? Last week? Last year? In your life? In History? God is great! While God is not forced to do something for you that he has done in the past, he is able to do all things, exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (Eph3:20) As you remember, be grateful, say “thank you”.
• Blow Trumpet Blasts – This is about Anticipation and Subjugation. Trumpets were sounded to announce the coming of a king or an army. Those who heard should take notice, anticipate the coming, and then subjugate themselves to the power and authority. We all must come to a point of rest, remembrance, realization and anticipation that Jesus has come, Jesus has provided, and Jesus is coming again.

Psalm 47 is often read in Jewish New Year services. – READ Psalm

Clap Your Hands all you peoples

Shout to God with a Jubilant Cry

FOR

• The LORD is Awe-Inspiring
• He is King over the whole earth
• He Subdues
• He chooses our inheritance

Anticipate

• God Ascends (to the throne) among shouts of joy
• with the Sound of a Trumpet (announcing his coming/returning)
• Sing Praise, to God, to our King, sing praise
• Sing Wisdom (the Word of God the Truth of God)

Know

• God Reigns – he is in charge
• God is Seated on the throne – he has a fixed position
• The Leaders of the earth belong to him

Just some things to think on today… Let today be a new Day, a new Season, with God on the throne