trimercy

We come to the last day of Hanukkah with the Spirit, anointed oil, and the word of God, His light, returning to the Holy Place. The supernatural sign to Israel of His promise of His mercy and the end to His anger. He is slow to anger, but when angered it is not without end.

The number eight is significant in scripture, meaning new beginnings. For Israel, this time in their history will bring a greater light than creation has ever seen. The true light that will never be darkened and will shine for all eternity. Jesus, God’s light, shining forth, into the very hearts of men.

The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬

Our response to His light is to “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.“ ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭1‬)

This is not just His Light, but now has become our Light to shine We are His Light, shining for His Glory, so that men will see and also glorify God. His light risen on us and shining through us. This is not a reflection of Him, but it is refracted light, which is like a prism. It is called bent light. That which comes into us and then is bent out of us. Thus we are to let our light shine.

On this last day let us set our hearts on Yeshua (Jesus), encouraged and returning to God. He spoke of knowing His sheep and following His voice on a day that celebrated the return to the Torah.

From its inception, Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is a time and season for rededication to God. It could refer to the rededication of the Temple at the time of the Maccabean revolt. But what started the revolt was dedication to the Torah and to the God of Israel.

God loves responding to those who take the time to dedicate and rededicate themselves to His ways, regardless of personal cost.

After all the Great I Am had done for them, once again, they were sent into captivity. Heaven went silent.
Assimilation and annihilation seem to be Israel’s end. But God is faithful to His Word. He is the Covenant God and will not relent. He does not leave—we are the ones who go astray.

The light had gone out in the Temple and they once again found themselves oppressed and ruled by that which cannot comprehend the light: the world. The result of this loss of light was a darkened condition:

And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You shall keep on listening, but shall not understand; And you shall keep on looking, but shall not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their heart, and return, And I would heal them.’

Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬-‭15

• Listening but no understanding
• Looking but no perception
• The heart becomes dull, no response
• Ears barely can hear
• Eyes become closed

This is what happens when the world begins to make its way into our lives, as we begin to be assimilated and stray from the path God has set for us. When the word does not light our way we begin to wander and lose our way. Once again, It takes the light of Heaven, God’s great mercy, to bring the conviction of the Holy Ghost touching our dull hearts.

For the fountain of life is with You; In Your light we see light. Prolong Your mercy to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright of heart.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭9‬-‭10‬

More of Jesus is more light. The more of His light brings forth the fountain of life and life more abundant. A spring, not a well, but a continual, everlasting flow. Not running out.

Eternal Life!

The word that came to the Maccabees that brought light.

“Who is Like You, O Lord, Among the Mighty!” I believe that this word that became their cry brought forth light, not only in the Holy Place but illumined their hearts to believe this confession. They answered this eternal question—there is no one like the Lord. This brings to my mind a chorus we sang in the 70s from Isaiah 44:8:

There is none Holy as the Lord,
There is none beside Thee,
Neither is there any Rock like our God,
there is none Holy as the Lord.

There is none like You, Lord; You are great, and Your name is great in might.

Jeremiah 10:6

Again this great confession: THERE IS NONE! May we proclaim on this sixth night as the light of this truth illumines us, “There is none, no one, no mighty, no not one like the Lord our God.” We celebrate His might this day. Hallelujah!

Who is Like You, O Lord, Among the Mighty!

The fifth day of Chanukah is the day before Rosh Chodesh Tevet. The day before every Rosh Chodesh is known as Yom Kippur Katan (“Mini Yom Kippur”) and is a day of introspection and repentance for any wrongdoings during the past month.

As believers, we are known as children of light. Jesus told Nicodemus in John‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬, ”And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil.“ John begins by writing that Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. I am sure that Nicodemus wished he would have come earlier in the day.

The Lord my God illumines my darkness.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭28‬

God’s light is very intentional, exposing and driving out the darkness in our lives. It is the light of the word that brings conviction and introspection to our hearts. The conviction of the Holy Ghost calling us to righteousness and right relationship to God brings repentance with regret. David refers to the word of God and its illumination of His soul and its cleansing power. “Create in me a clean heart Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This continual cry of our hearts brings truth to our lives.

Jesus speaks of Himself,

“I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness.‬‬”

John‬ ‭12‬:‭46‬

May we become lovers of His light and continue to pursue Him and walk in His light.

Draw near to Me, the Lord, and I will draw near to you.