Let us keep the Feasts of God!
The fall festivals are fast approaching; Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles. As for me, this will be my 10th times keeping the feasts of God and every single time I try to keep them, I observe that persecutions, trials, and challenges in my life seems to get doubled and even tripled.
As we enter the month of August, I really felt being tried and tested whether I should the keep the feasts one more time. I am sure that you too have experienced this type of situation that problems seem to overwhelm us especially when the fall festivals are nearing.
Throughout those years, one of best sources of my comfort is the Word of God. The Bible is filled with encouraging words that behoove us to follow Him. Through the Bible, God is speaking to us and listening to His words will truly help us to have the vision that this world is only temporary and there will come a time when God will finally return here on Earth and establish His Kingdom.
In this article, I list scriptures that will encourage you and me to keep the Feasts in spite of life’s difficulties.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10).
God has greatly promised us rewards when we endure until the end. Instead of being sorrowful because of what we are about to suffer, we are commanded by Jesus to REJOICE and not just be glad, but be EXCEEDINGLY glad. Why? Because we have reward waiting for us in the future.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
Seeking God’s kingdom and following His commandments are part of our calling. When we keep the feasts, we demonstrate to God that He is our God and we are willing to follow Him whatever He demands of us. We must not worry what tomorrow will bring or what happens after the Feast, because God said whatever we might lose will be added to us, if not in this lifetime, it will be in the future life awaiting us.
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it (Matthew 10:39).
Following God may do us harm, suffering, and even hardships. But not following God can even be more painful. If you try to blend with this world and please our teachers and bosses instead of God, we are not passing the test God is giving us. This world will not give us lasting happiness. Though we might find our life by compromising with God’s commandments, we will eventually lose it when we will finally give accountability to God. Do not commit the mistake that you will not escape the spiritual laws that God reinforced in this universe.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:29-30).
This is one of my favorite scriptures. We are promised that we will receive a hundredfold if we forsake something for the sake of following God. There is no doubt that when we keep the feast, we may have very low grades, face unemployment, ridicule, persecution, and even death. But all that we lost shall be replaced and we will have more than what we’ve lost. I know that all of us struggle to make ends meet, but despite of these, God is telling us that we should trust Him; have faith in Him. We may lose our loved ones, friends, education, career, and our life, BUT we should never lose FAITH in GOD.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13).
Do you believe what you just read? It says that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able. God is testing us whether we will remain faithful or not. Are we passing the test? In our spiritual battle, are we winning or is satan winning? In every temptation, trial, and challenges in our life, God will provide a way of escape. But sometimes, the only way of escape is to bear it. In this case, God will comfort us. He will never forsake us because He is our Father who only has good things for us.
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (I Corinthians 2:9).
The reward that we will receive in Jesus’ second coming is beyond our wildest dreams. It is incomprehensible, indescribable, and UNIMAGINABLE. No matter how we look at it, our limited and finite mind will never comprehend what God has in store for us. Our sufferings today are just temporary. We can always say, “This too shall pass”. The only difference that will happen is the choices we make.
Will we be able to make every decision pleasing to God? To be confident in His promises? To never waver, compromise, and to always be in the feasts of God? The reward is prepared for everyone who will follow God and those who keeps His commandments. The only question now is, will you accept God’s invitation?
Conclusion
Is keeping the feast all worth it? Of course, the answer is obvious after we finished reading the scriptures I listed here.
So let me change my question to this; is it really worth it to NOT keep the feast and choose another direction in life?
Is fearing your teachers, bosses, and friends more than God worth it?
Is exchanging eternity in God’s kingdom for temporary pleasures that will only last for less than 70 years worth it?
Is passing your exams in schools more worth it than passing God’s exam?
Is closing a business deal during the Sabbath and the feast all worth it in exchange of your salvation?
You CHOOSE! God has given us choices; blessings and cursings, life and death; therefore choose LIFE and live! Brethren, make the right choice. Make the right choice and LET US ALL KEEP THE FEAST!
Additional reading:
Shocking Truths from the Bible: Seven Proofs of God’s Existence
Scripture for the Day: Looking Towards God’s Kingdom
Free Booklet:
God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind
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