Meditate.
Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month--nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:27-28
Ten days later, on the tenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly. On that day, the Day of Atonement, the people must go without food and must do no ordinary work. Numbers 29:7
No work. No
food. Repent.
This is not a joyous festival. No dancing and eating wonderful rich foods. No. Prepare your hearts to be still before the Lord and to repent. What have you done in the past year that you are sorry for? Judge yourself…not others. Humbly pray for forgiveness. You want to be sure that your name is written in God’s book in heaven. That turning or returning to the Lord is part of the repentance process. Be certain that you include an attitude adjustment in your ponderings with God so that you do commit to change—to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Remember that you can do all things through God who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13). I don’t wait for Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement to get right with God—I feel that I need to do it on a daily…almost hourly basis. This repentance is not just between a person and God, but extends to relationships between people, too. If you aren’t right with others, how can you be right with God…and vise-versa. I think it goes along with obeying Jesus’ command to love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. They go hand-in-hand.
The Jews celebrating
the Day of Atonement read the book of Jonah. Yes, the whole book. It is a short
one. It is interesting to note that Jonah was the only prophet that actually
got people to repent…and then he was mad about it. He lacked compassion for the
Ninevites, but God is truly compassionate and forgives those who repent—whoever
they are. Are you willing to change your ways? The biggest question goes beyond
repentance—are you willing to ask Jesus to be your Savior? We are all sinners
(Romans 3:23). When we have acknowledged that we are sinners, ask for
forgiveness, believe that Jesus is our Savior and call on the name of Jesus to
be saved (Romans 10:13), then we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). Don’t wait.
Make your decision today…tomorrow or next week may be too late. 
Was it a happy fish that swallowed Jonah?
Repent on this Day of Atonement.
Prayer – Lord, help us to hear Your voice and respond. Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Romans 10:13.
Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our
salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for
the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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