Jubilee
Today, someone will type in Google “what happens if you commit suicide”. They will end up on our website in a state of despair. There is a crisis mentor that will connect with them, give them hope and connect them to a regional crisis center. The mentor will continue to encourage them along the journey. You can help our mentors give hope to these people who have lost their way.
“And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan.” (Leviticus 25:10)
The year of Jubilee was the Hebrew New Year’s on steroids! This whole chapter in Leviticus deals with the specifics of what this unique time was to be like. Every fifty years, all debts were forgiven, the slate was wiped clean and everyone started over. It was a time of new beginnings, joy and celebration of freedom. Slaves were set free. Families were reunited. Redemption of wrong doings was granted.
As we look ahead to January 1, 2012, many will make new resolutions to better their lives. It will all be a matter of change, more or less. Eat less, exercise more, save more and spend less, worry less, pray more. Set more goals, give up on them less.
Statistics show that by February 1st, 50% of these good intended resolves will have already been broken, by March 1rst, more than 80%. As humans, we are not that great at tenacity. Goal setters and life coaches have all sorts of ideas as to how to keep us on track. Set small milestones along the way. Post encouraging pep-talk messages. Be accountable with a buddy.
Perhaps one reason we fail year after year is because we are the ones making the resolutions. Why not try a different approach? This New Year’s, renew your commitment to take your eyes off yourself and place them on God. Let Him set your goals for the next year instead of praying for Him to strengthen your resolve to accomplish the ones you want to achieve. Scripture tell us He has great plans for us, to prosper us and give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). If you truly believe His ways are better and that He is in control, then why rely on yourself and what you think is best for the upcoming year? He has a greater plan.
Let Him prove that to you. Turn this new year over to Him. Wipe the slate clean and let it be your year of Jubilee. Pray to Him often and trust Him to guide you. Watch for the serendipities that come your way and all the subtle hints that your purpose is coming together like a jigsaw puzzle. And most of all, don’t give up on Him even if you can’t see the blessings yet. Come December 31, 2012, you just might be amazed at all He has caused to happen in your life and those for whom you’ve prayed.
Father, Thank you for your guidance. You promise to make a way for me, no matter what I am facing. Thank you that everything falls under the promise of Your forgiveness. When I repent You wipe the slate clean through Jesus’ sacrifice. Thank you that the truth of Your grace covers every part of me. Help me to walk as a forgiven, beloved child, leaning in close to You, keeping short accounts. Amen.
Question: Are you carrying a burden that God has already forgiven? What would a year of jubilee look like in your life?
Do you struggle with guilt? See yourself as God sees you with the Finding Freedom life lesson.
7 Responses to “Jubilee”
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
>Watch
- Contact
- |
- Advertising
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Link to Us
- |
- Media Releases
- |
- What we believe
Dorothea, it is wonderful that we can celebrate Jubilee 24/7 knowing Jesus is always with us and has forgiven us past, present and future, isn’t it? I so agree with you and Julie that seeking God for His guidance is key to peace and knowing Him intimately in our day-to-day lives.
Donna and Marian, I am thankful that you found this devotional encouraging and a boost at the beginning of 2012.
Dennis, I am sorry that you did not enjoy the devotional. I believe what Julie is trying to say in regard to steroids is that, like body-builders may use steroids to help pump up their muscles, for the Jewish believers, the Jubilee got them pumped up emotionally and spiritually in their freedom in the Lord. Again, I am sorry you did not see the connection between allowing the Lord to set our goals and how we are to do this through prayer. I believe Julie explained when she said,”Pray to Him often and trust Him to guide you.” Your comments are appreciated, Dennis, and I pray you find other devotionals more helpful in the future and that you keep coming back to our site.
Susan, I am so sorry that you were triggered by the initial statement in this article, and I am even sorrier that your first husband committed suicide. I pray that the Lord holds you and heals the deep wounding caused by a suicide, and that His infinite mercy and compassion soothe the pain and wash away any guilt, shame, and/or residual condemnation that you may be feeling as a result of such a painful loss. May God richly bless you and keep you close to His heart. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, I pray. Amen.
I am so thankful to the Lord for his sacrifice enabling forgiveness to be our by faith in His resurrection. I am thankful that Jubilee can be obtain 24/7, because He is always there waiting for us to call upon Him. I have experienced what it means to be hopeless, fearful and out of control. I absolutely agree that new year’s resolutions are a waste of time because most last a few months. Seeking after what God wants for our lives is most important. How? Read the Bible, Pray and Be still! Yes, God will answer, maybe not audibly, but God will lead your life.
I am sorry Susan for your loss and the way that our opening here brought up that hurt for you again. Our online mentors are regularly responding to people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide, and through the grace of God, His Spirit has used those conversations to bring healing and hope. There are many different issues that our mentors deal with but suicide is one of the ones that is so clearly a matter of life and death. We want to give people an opportunity to partner with us in bringing new life to those who have lost all hope. That’s why the invitation for donations was added in on this devotional. It is our desire that through the ministry of our online mentors we can help other wives and children and families and friends not have to face the pain and sorrow of suicide.
I’d like to make an observation. Your initial statement about someone googleing what happens if I commit suicide is a bit off putting. My first husband who was a christian committed suicide 15 years . I think you could use another crisis scenario prior to asking for donations to help the mentors. Just an observation, but worth thinking about.
Thanks for reminding us who is in control of our lives. He is the Alpha and Omega and knows what the year ahead holds. All of life’s experiences; joyful or sorrowful will develop us spiritually into the women of God that He desires for us to be.
Your devotional was sent to me by a friend. I find it to be very consoling. It has reinforced my belief in our forgiving and long suffering Savior. I have resolved to make 2012 my Year of Jubilee…to allow my slate to be ‘wiped clean’ and allow the Lord to continue to carry out His plans for my life. Thank you for a devotional filled with the enriching truth of God’s word.
This devotional hit me wrong. Sorry, but what do steroids have to do with anything here? Connecting the year of Jubilee with New Year’s resolutions is also a big jump. You say, “Let Him set your goals for the next year” but don’t explain how that is done. I assume you mean to pray and ask God to direct you in setting goals, but that should always be the case. Or maybe you mean we shouldn’t set goals and resolutions at all but “wipe the slate clean” and “Watch for the serendipities”. Not clear. Not helpful.