The Day of Atonement is two days away. This solemn day of fasting, humility and worship is a favorite of mine. That might seem a bit odd given it is a day of affliction through fasting. Fasting in scripture is usually connected to a time of penitence, spiritual introspection or a time of trial and distress. But on the Day of Atonement, I see it as a day that breaks the bonds of spiritual wickedness imposed by Satan, the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
We are to be “clothed with humility” as God “resists the proud and gives grace to the humble”. Then to give added importance to this Peter says,
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:5-9).
When we fast, we break the hold Satan has on us. The grip of pride, vanity and excessive self-will. That's the personal side of fasting on Atonement. Observing the day teaches us Satan is still active and involved on the earth. He is the source of evil that inflicts suffering and pain through war, strife, false education and false religion. This is his world. The turmoil and upheaval occurring come from his purpose. That gives understanding behind the “why” of this age where all seems to be spinning out of control.
We fast to break the bonds of Satan on us and on this world. This revelation makes Atonement a magnificent day on which to worship God and His Son. It is like striking a blow for world peace. It’s the right thing to do.
Today’s Connection
This week in my world News and Prophecy class I went through the prayer of Daniel for his people Israel. It is found in chapter 9. It is a beautiful intercessory prayer where Daniel laments the sins of Israel and Judah which led to their captivity. He includes himself in saying “we have “sinned.
Daniel set himself to God in “fasting, sackcloth and ashes”. He was seeking understanding about the prophetic promise of return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. This had been recorded in Jeremiah’s prophecy, which Daniel had before him.
Daniel understood his role to take this issue to God and talk about it. God’s purpose was set. Large events in that purpose were in place, moving and unstoppable-inevitable even. Yet Daniel knew he had a role. Prayer and fasting.
We stand in a similar moment of history. The page is turning today toward another chapter, the final chapter, of history as God directs it according to His divine plan. We are told to sigh and cry for the sins of Joseph. We are told to take the gospel to the world. To warn the world of the times we live within and preach repentance from sin.
Will they repent? Will they change? No. Do not expect a nationwide repentance. But God will call those He will. Some will seek God and turn from their sin.
Like Daniel, the Church has a job to do. We have a role within this unfolding plan of God. Like Daniel, our lives are enfolded into the great plan and story God is bringing to pass.
We are approaching the Day of Atonement. We will fast. We will humble ourselves and reflect on the singular event of Atonement through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14). In this event we live and move and have our being. It defines us and our walk.
Daniel talked to God about His mercy and love toward those who keep the commandments. Judah had forgotten those laws and would not heed repeated calls fro God’s prophets, sent to warn and encourage repentance. Because of this sin, the disaster of expulsion from the promised land and captivity resulted. All had been foretold in the law of Moses.
Yet Daniel said something in verse 14 that is profound.
Therefore, the Lord has kept the disaster in mind and brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
Read that again. It applies to the State of Israel today. The modern remnant of Judah, in the same promised land, has not been faithful to God. The State of Israel today is largely secular. Yes, a conservative minority are pious and hold to Judaism’s version of the “Law of Moses”. Yet, as I wrote earlier this week, the Jewish states exists in the land as a marker of God’s righteous commitment to “all the works which He does”.
God is faithful during both blessing and cursing. God is righteous in all the works He does. Even though people do not obey, God is watchful because of His word.
Witness a few days ago when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood before the United Nations in New York and held up two charts. One a blessing and the other a cursing. Showing how Iran, Israel’s enemy is a curse for the nations of the Middle East. While Israel, through the Abraham Accords and other treaties is a blessing.
(AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Israel is a largely secular nation with a conservative religious minority. It is a nation of contradictions. Yet they survive and are in the land for a reason-a Biblical reason. While much of the law of God is not observed it is there as a place marker in the world of God’s sovereignty and righteousness. Even today Israel is a “blessing” to all those who “bless” her.
God’s everlasting righteousness is shown through the meaning of the Day of Atonement. The world is held captive in the grip of the arch-deceiver, Satan the devil. Observing Atonement teaches us this truth. Each year we are reminded. The day is coming, when Christ returns and binds this evil, malignant spirit being with chains and has him thrown into a pit (Revelation 20:1,2).
Fasting breaks the hold Satan has on us. Humbling ourselves before God we are preparing for this day and all it means. May you have a sobering and meaningful Day of Atonement.
Thank-you!!