Rabbis teach that, at Sukkot, we recount four things: that God is a God of remembrance, deliverance, holiness and provision. There are three more that, as Messianic Jewish Believers, we find appropriate to celebrate during the Feast of Sukkot: God’s protection, His presence, and our relationship with Him. Join us each day of Sukkot for another devotion focusing on one of these remembrances.
Jewish Voice Ministries International
Day 1
Scriptures: Psalms 77:11-12, Deuteronomy 16:14, Psalms 111:4
Our God of Remembrance
God knows how forgetful we are. So, He established festivals as remembrances to ensure we would not forget what He has brought us out of and what He has done for us. Sukkot is one of those commemorations.
Sukkot is a time to remember with joy; God actually commands it (Deuteronomy 16:14). This joy springs from the intentional act of remembering. The Psalmists often practiced this spiritual discipline, recounting Israel’s history and the many ways God intervened on their behalf. In revisiting past examples of God’s power and faithfulness, these writers found comfort and peace in the circumstances they faced. And they passed on the encouragement to generations after them.
The practice of remembrance imparts strength and inspires us to share about our great God.
What are some of the God-stories in your life? Thank Him for them, and consider sharing His wonders with others so they will be uplifted by God’s goodness.
Day 2
Scriptures: Psalms 68:20, Psalms 3:8, Romans 10:9, Colossians 1:13
Remembering God’s Deliverance
The Feast of Sukkot invites us to remember the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness. Leading up to their release from captivity is a trail lined with miracles of deliverance. For instance, the plagues that God brought upon Egypt affected the whole nation except in the area of Goshen, where the Jewish people lived. The final plague – the angel of death – visited all of Egypt but passed over every Jewish home with doorframes covered by the blood of the Passover lamb. After the Israelites left Egypt, they found themselves against the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s armies closing in. All seemed hopeless, with no escape, but God intervened by parting the sea. The Israelites walked safely through a corridor of walled-up water with dry ground underfoot.
God also granted us spiritual deliverance made possible through Yeshua (Jesus), who died to save us from the “second death” (Revelation 2:11), eternal separation from Him. From this dark nightmare, God has delivered everyone who places their faith in Jesus the Messiah (Romans 10:9, Colossians 1:13).
Today, take some time to remember back to instances when God delivered you from physical harm or even death. Rejoice in His goodness. Thank Him for these gifts, and tuck them away to be remembered another day when you need uplifting.
Day3
Scriptures: 2 Peter 1:3, Psalms 95:2
Remembering God’s Provision
God instructs us at Sukkot to remember that He made the Israelites live in tents in the wilderness in a barren desert with no food or water. They could not have survived it without God’s supernatural provision.
He supplied food out of nowhere with a fresh crop of manna each morning, giving the Children of Israel one day’s nourishment at a time. He provided water from dry rocks to quench their thirst and sustain their lives. He even prevented their clothing and shoes from wearing out despite decades of use. God met their essential needs for 40 years. In remembering this during Sukkot, we celebrate God’s provision for the Israelites of ancient days as well as the ways He takes care of us today.
Many graces of provision go nearly unnoticed in our lives because they are so consistently delivered. We consider many guaranteed givens – food, water and clothing among them. The temporary structures of Sukkot remind us what a gift these are. To stop and number the blessings of God’s provision beyond these quickly becomes a list so long we can’t keep track.
As you enjoy this Feast of Sukkot, take time to sit quietly before the Lord. Recount some of the essential gifts He has provided for you. Then, ponder other blessings from His hand. And give Him your thanks.
Day 4
Scriptures: Isaiah 40:25, Psalms 97:12
Remembering God’s Holiness
In thinking back to the Israelites in the wilderness, we remember that the first generation’s disobedience cost them the Promised Land. Because of their rebellion and sin, none from the generation that left Egypt was permitted to enter the Land God said He would give to His people, except Joshua and Caleb. Only their children after them entered.
God is merciful and kind, but He is also holy. Moses was only permitted to see God’s back as His glory passed by – otherwise, he would die. A High Priest improperly prepared to enter the Lord’s presence in the Holy of Holies would die. The man Uzzah died when he touched the Ark of the Covenant, even though he was merely reaching out to steady it on its journey back to Jerusalem. Yes, God is holy.
The more we recognize God’s holiness, the more accurately we see the marvel of His grace epitomized in Yeshua. We are humbled in awe and so very grateful – all keenly appropriate responses.
Today, take some time to meditate on God’s holiness. Reflect on His utter purity and goodness. Think about what your life would be like without Him. Then, praise Him for the enormity of His love that would move Him to bridge the gap between His holiness and our sin so that we could walk in relationship with Him.
Day 5
Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:35-36, Psalms 32:7, Psalms 3:3, Psalms 62:2, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 61:3
Remembering God’s Divine Protection
The booths we build today for Sukkot represent the tents God had the Israelites live in during their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness. Their tents protected them from the elements and serve as reminders of God’s divine protection of us today.
In the Scriptures, God is shown to be our protector. He has supernaturally preserved the Nation of His people against all earthly odds. He said that Israel would always be, and He is true to His Word.
This is what the Lord says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar––theLord Almighty is His name: “Only if these decrees vanish from My sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before Me.”
––Jeremiah 31:35–36 NIV
This same God is protecting us today. The Psalms are filled with descriptive words revealing God’s protection. He is called a shield, fortress, stronghold, strong tower and more. (See Psalms 3:3, 62:2, 27:1 and 61:3.) The psalmists ran to Him for protection and comfort, and in remembering Him, they found strength. No matter how severe a storm we go through, we can trust that God loves us and is ready to receive us into the shelter of His care.
How do God’s faithfulness and comfort strengthen you when you face life’s challenges? Do you find Him to be your “strong tower”? If not, ask Him to help you know the “hiding place” of His love and protection.
Day 6
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Psalms 42:5, Philippians 4:6-7, John 16:5-15
Remembering God’s Presence
As the Israelites roamed the desert, they did so with the guidance of God’s presence, which was represented in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. After the tabernacle – a tent – was built, God’s glory resided in the innermost room called the Holy of Holies. The word sukkot means “booths” or “tents,” and the temporary structures we build to observe the Feast of Sukkot depict God’s desire to live in fellowship with His people.
Today, His presence lives within those who have placed their faith in Messiah Yeshua. (John 16:5–15.)
It‘s awe-inspiring to ponder the fact that the holy God of the universe loves us so much that He would want to dwell within us. He is as close as our silent prayers and is always with us. All that He is and gives is available to us in His presence. By His presence, He comforts and strengthens us. He calms our fears and lifts our spirits. He provides us with a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6–7).
Look back and remember a time when you particularly felt God’s presence and how it helped you. Thank Him for the gift of His never-failing presence.
Day 7
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:1, Matthew 6:19-20, Isaiah 65:17
Remembering Our Eternal Relationship with Him
Tents are temporary, and so are our earthly lives. The booths of Sukkot offer us symbols of the transient nature of this life.
Though we accept that we’ll someday leave it, life in the moment on planet Earth can feel rather sure. But it isn’t. Our lives could end at any given minute. Besides this, this world won’t last. God is preparing to reveal the New Heaven and New Earth, and this creation will be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17).
Our relationship with God, however, is eternal. Life on Earth is just the beginning of what God has in store for His people. The tents of Sukkot remind us that we shouldn’t get too attached to this world, its pleasures and the appearance of security – because only spiritual things last.
This life is preparing us for eternity. Scripture tells us to invest in the eternal over this Earth. This includes investing in our relationships with God by feasting on His Word and basking in His presence through prayer and worship. It means sowing into other people’s lives with His love and wisdom through acts of kindness, caring and ministry. It means using your gifts to help others and so much more. These treasures can’t be taken away from us.
What really matters in this life? What kind of heavenly treasures might God be calling you to pursue? Determine today to heed His call for an eternal mindset.