04/19/2015
COUNTING OF THE OMER - FIRST FRUITS TO SHAVUOT
April 17th, 2015 - Day 15 - Psalm 119:113-120
The Counting of the Omer covers a fifty-day period of time from the Feast of First Fruits until Shavuot (Pentecost). Beginning with the day of First Fruits, each subsequent day is counted for seven complete weeks, plus one day - fifty days.
During the Counting of the Omer, we "count up" to the Feast of Shavuot (the 50th Day) with each day of counting, adding to the growing expectation of what Pentecost will bring.
Leviticus 23:15-16
15 “‘From the day after the day of rest — that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving — you are to count seven full weeks, 16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to Adonai.
During the Counting of the Omer, each day a verse from Psalms 119 is read and meditated upon, causing us to review the condition of our hearts before God.
O (Samekh)
113
I hate doubleminded people,
but I love your Torah.
114
You are my hiding-place and shield;
I put my hope in your word.
115
Leave me alone, you evildoers,
so that I can keep my God’s mitzvot.
116
Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live;
don’t disappoint me in my hope.
117
Support me; and I will be saved,
always putting my attention on your laws.
118
You reject all who stray from your laws,
for what they deceive themselves with is false.
119
You discard the wicked of the earth like slag;
this is why I love your instruction.
120
My body trembles for fear of you;
your rulings make me afraid.
The time between Purim and Passover begins a time of change. Counting the Omer from Passover to Shavuot (Pentecost) is a season of expectancy. It's the echo of the "haste" in which the Children of Israel departed Egypt. The same wind that parted the Red Sea to reveal God's deliverance is blowing still. The pillar of cloud moves with you by day, and the pillar of fire lights the darkness. Expectancy motivates you forward, to overcome the obstacles, climb new heights, and arrive at Shavuot – the moment of impartation.
Change can be difficult, and journeys can be tiring. Even day-to-day living can become a struggle which leaves you weary, unrested, and discouraged. When the Children of Israel lost sight of the LORD, their eyes turned to Egypt, their mouths to complaining, and their hearts to idolatry. But when they returned their voices to praise and committed their hearts to worship, they found deliverance from their enemies, manna – bread from heaven, water from the rock, and the Torah at the mountain of the LORD.
Messiah has given us His Torah His 'Teaching and Instruction' He wants each of us to be successful in Him. The Holy Spirit leads, guides, and instructs us that we be made whole, and know the LORD as the only GOD. When our lives are changed our lifestyles are transformed into Kingdom Living...
Like King David it is easy to be double-minded; speaking one way, and living another the Father never intended for us to be that way. Because of peoples hurt, abuse, pain, fear, and lack of knowledge the enemy inflicted his vices into the lives of God' people. Subsequently, where we were we can no longer remain in order to know Messiah, and live according to the plan He has purposed for our lives.
David was trapped in fear, terror at a place of uncomfortably yet comfortable he had to learn to trust God, and we the same we have to trust God.
Our lives are truly transformed to receive the totality of God, and live accordingly that He be not just glorified by our living, but He receives all the glory for creating man in His image and likeness. The like-mindedness' of Messiah is present, and the willingness of man has to receive His daily instruction.
