Pilgrimage to Intimacy

We were designed to go from strength-to-strength (Psalm 84:5) and from glory-to-glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18) God's desire is to release blessings into our lives so that we can grow in our understanding of who we are as His children.  Growth happens in cycles, which is one of the reasons God ordained for us to follow His Biblical calendar.  As we align ourselves with the Lord's timing and purposes, we will grow to be more like Him.  The cycles God set up are meant to lead us into greater intimacy with Him and higher levels of blessing.
 
Psalm 84:5 says, "Blessed are those who strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage." Holman's Dictionary defines pilgrimage as "a journey, especially a religious trek to a site at which God has revealed Himself in the past."  In the Old Testament we can see how the Israelites went to Bethel, Gilgal, Shiloh, Beersheba and Mt. Horeb in their quest to find God.  After David relocated the ark to Jerusalem, it became the place to go to commune with the Lord.  Three times a year adult male Israelites were required to appear before the Lord for the major feasts. (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:18-23, Deuteronomy 16:16) These three journeys to Jerusalem are known as the "pilgrim feasts."
 
Those who have traveled to Jerusalem know that the City sits on a high elevation.  In the journey to honor God one had to go up.  This is called "Aliyah" or "the going up."  In every year, season and circumstance of our lives, we are called upward.  We must always choose the higher path as it leads to greater strength and greater glory.
 
The three pilgrim feasts in the calendar year include Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.  A transaction and growth occur as we celebrate each one, and the journey mirrors the walk through the Tabernacle.  At the first stop to the Outer Court we meet with the Passover Lamb who redeemed us and cleanses us so that we are ready for the next stop.  Without the atonement and cleansing there cannot be the anointing by the pouring out of the Spirit of God.  The second stop in the Holy Place is where we receive provision for our journey and empowerment by the Spirit of God.  Now we are ready to travel to the most blessed season of our journey.  It is the time when we get to come into the Presence of God—to tabernacle with Him in the Most Holy Place and to celebrate with joy the glory of the Lord.
 
Tonight, Jews will begin celebrating the three fall feasts—The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.  This month is one of great celebration for God's people as they blow the shofar 100 times in their worship service.  This is a season to celebrate what God has already done and to rehearse what has been promised. (Believers recognize that Passover and Pentecost have been fulfilled, but the fall feasts remain to be fulfilled.)
 
The blowing of the ram's horn during Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) is done as a call to repentance.  Genesis 22 is traditionally read in synagogues—the story of God providing a substitute atonement for Isaac after Abraham placed him on the altar of sacrifice.  Ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, the most holy day on the calendar is celebrated—the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.  Even though the Jews read about the substitutionary atonement provided for Abraham, many do not understand that the ultimate sacrifice was already made on Passover through the blood of Messiah Yeshua.
 
All of us need to set our hearts on pilgrimage so that we can grow closer to God.  As vessels that carry God's glory, we carry the light of His love on our journey so that we bring others into God's Kingdom. One day the Lord will return for His Bride, the Church, to the sound of the trumpet. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) We want to be ready!