Historically, Av is the month of tragedy and of national lament; a 3 week period of sorrow where Jews reflect on their disobedience and mourn the Temple’s destruction. It is the time of Teshuvah or repentance.
As Believers in Jesus Christ, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16).
God’s temple is to be holy, set apart, and sanctified to Himself. Wise is the lover of Jesus who takes time to wait in His presence for Him to reveal anything that displeases Him.
Today, there is a lot of anger and bipartisanship among Christians. This ought not to be. Where lack of love, abuse, and violence exist – it is an assault on His Temple.
The Body of Christ is wounded because we do not walk in love and unity. Dear Heart, Av is an opportunity for you and me to repent for our sins – especially the sin of racism.
There are three turnings:
1. Turn to God (offering teffilah/prayers and turning)
- Lament your lack of love for God and His creation.
- Allow the Spirit to search your heart to bring any hidden sin into the light.
- Confess your sins – and the generational iniquity of your forefathers.
2. Turn to others we’ve harmed or offended (asking for mechilah, a wiping away of the sin through forgiveness).
- Restitution to the person wronged is a key part of this repentance.
- Turn from injustice and lack of love in true humility.
3. Turn in compassion to those in need (giving tzedakah, charitable giving as a sign of repentance).
Let us, together seek the Lord.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you need to:
- Turn to the Lord in repentance.
- Turn in repentance to others for forgiveness.
- Turn to those in need – placing their needs above your own.
Through genuine confession of our sins, we will experience the precious blood of Jesus cleansing us, breaking down the walls of division, and drawing us together in unity at the foot of the Cross.
Dear Heart,
Without comparing ourselves to anyone else, let us sincerely take time in the Lord’s presence to seek His face, allowing His Spirit to show us the true condition of our hearts.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
