Av - Believing God's Promises

​Most of the Church is unaware of the history of this time-period and how it can affect them.  Last week we entered the month of Av on the Hebrew calendar.  Today is the 9th of Av, a date that is so significant for the Jewish people that many will spend the day fasting and mourning.  This date has proved to be consistently difficult throughout the years.  It all began when the 12 spies (one from each tribe of Israel) went in to scout out the promised land.  The men went in fully knowing God's promises to them. "The Lord said to Moses, 'Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.'"  (Numbers 13:1)  When the group returned it was during the month of Av.  Ten of the 12 spies gave a negative report, claiming that the Nephilim that they saw were too strong for the Israelites to overcome.  Fear fell on the entire camp.  Joshua and Caleb tried to quell their fears by telling the people that the protection of the giants is gone, "but the Lord is with us.  Do not be afraid." (Number 14:9)
 
Moses became an advocate for God's chosen people, reminding God of His character.  "The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.  Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the 3rd and 4th generation" (Numbers 14:18)  The Lord forgave them, however there were ramifications for their sin of unbelief.  "...As sure as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me 10 times--not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors.  No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it." (Numbers 14:21-23)  God let them know that the curse they declared over themselves would manifest:  "...I will do to you the very thing I heard you say:  In the wilderness your bodies will fall--every one of you 20 years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me...Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home...Your children will be shepherds here for 40 years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness.  For 40 years--one year for each of the 40 days you explored the land--you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you." (Numbers 14:28-34)  The 10 men who came back from the Promised Land with a bad report were struck down and died of a plague.
 
Here is what the Church needs to understand:  The camp of Israelites committed the sins of unbelief, dishonoring God, disobedience, and unfaithfulness.  Their sins set in motion years of consequences for God's people because they spoke curses over themselves that agreed with the kingdom of darkness and gave the demonic permission to operate in their lives.  Repentance for these sins has not taken place and so destruction continues to take place to this day.  The negative history of the days past tries to repeat itself during this season.  As Hosea 4:6 tells us, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." With the string of disasters occurring during this same time frame you would think that the "light bulb" would go on.  Some of the major disasters included destruction of the 1st and 2nd temples, destruction of Jerusalem, crusades against the Jews--killing many, expulsion from England, Spain, and Portugal, the beginning of WWI, deportation of the Jews to the Treblinka concentration camp, and expulsion from Gaza.
 
We are committing the same sins as the Jews in the wilderness committed.  The enemy of our souls wants to defile and devour us.  "Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." (1 Peter 5:8-9)  The Church must be aware of the pattern of destruction that exists and be intentional in aligning Herself with the truth of God's Word.  We, as members of the Church, must be on-guard against the attack of the enemy and not allow him to destroy our spiritual temples or our trust in the Lord.  We must come into agreement with the promises of God over our lives, stirring our faith to believe in them.  God has given us power and authority in His name.  We are under the blood of Jesus.  Let's be awakened to these truths.
 
May I also suggest that we make this time one in which we pray for an awakening in our hearts and those of our Jewish brothers and sisters.  We should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:6) Let's also examine ourselves to be sure that we are walking in love and honoring the Body of Christ.  Let us break any agreement we have made with the powers of darkness by confessing and renouncing the sin of cursing ourselves.  Our repentance will surely open the door for God to pour out His blessings upon us.  Let us stir our faith to declare and believe in the promises the Lord has given to us.