Come Back to God This Rosh Hashanah

Author Biography

Jessica serves as the Well and Clean Water coordinator for CBN's Operation Blessing. She's been with CBN for 7 years. She and her husband live in Virginia Beach where she collects shells and sea glass on her early morning walks along the beach.

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Jessica Teed - Well & Clean Water Coordinator – OB Headquarters

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8 NKJV)

This message in James is one of my favorite Bible verses. It has constantly reminded me of the importance of drawing near to and spending time with God. The second half of the verse shows us that He is the one we should draw near to or come to when we have unconfessed sin in our lives. God desires to spend time with us, not just when things are good, but also when we struggle, whether with sin or with disappointing life circumstances. He always waits with open arms, no matter why we come to Him.

Rosh Hashanah marks the first day of the Jewish New Year, and it is an essential time of deep reflection, celebration, and hope. It is initiated by the blowing of the shofar, which signifies an awakening from spiritual slumber and preparation for Rosh Hashanah, the 10 Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur. This is why it is also called the Feast of Trumpets (See Numbers 29:1). Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the 10 Days of Awe, or repentance, that lead up to Yom Kippur.

Have you ever experienced a wake-up call? Has God ever opened your eyes to something you were doing that was harming you or someone else, or drawing you away from Him? That is what I imagine the sound of the shofar to be like—a jarring wake-up call that opens our eyes to the reality that we have moved away from the Lord and a gentle guiding back to the path of grace and mercy to return to Him. Zechariah 1:3 says,

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.

Just like James 4:8 reminds us to draw near to God, Zechariah 1:3 reminds us to return to Him. When we make a mistake or sin, we often try to hide from or avoid God, even though that is impossible. When we are hurting or disappointed by our life circumstances, many blame or ignore God. It’s easy to want to pull away from God when confronted with feelings of shame, sadness, grief, anger, hurt, and frustration. It is difficult to draw near to and return to God when we feel that way, but it is in His presence where we find strength, peace, and rest in difficult seasons.

While Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection and repentance, it is also a time for celebration and hope for the new year. Wishing others a sweet and happy new year, and eating challah or apples dipped in honey is a sweet reminder of God’s promises to us. We can find rest in knowing that God is good and entirely faithful. He is in control, and His plans and purposes will prevail and transcend anything we have experienced or will experience in the coming year. Life with God is sweet and hopeful even amidst challenges—yet another reminder we can see during Rosh Hashanah.

Friend, I don’t know what you have been through or what you are facing today, but I pray that you choose to draw near to God. I pray that you remember God’s promises and come to know who He really is, so you can confidently trust in Him and His plans for your life. I pray that you leave behind anything that hurts you, draws you away from the Lord, and embrace God's hopeful promises for your life. Shanah tova u’metukah! May you have a happy and sweet new year!

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