Call A Holy Feast

A Word Given to Pastor Charles Schmitt

I AWOKE FRIDAY MORNING, November 1, with an unusual word upon my heart—that we were to dedicate the last part of November through the whole month of December as a holy feast before the Lord! This was to be a festival of joy, as we laid aside that "spirit of despair" that has blanketed this whole Washington, DC, area over this past month (and even during this past year) and as we put on the "garment of praise" (Isaiah 61:3)!

Christians, at times, give themselves to fasting as a holy calling before the Lord--and such it is; and this is right to do. But the Scriptures likewise call us to seasons of feasting—times of holy festival, with festivities in His presence. I looked up the words "fast" and "feast" in the concordance, and was amazed to find nearly twice as many references to feasts, festivals, and feasting than there were to fasts and fasting! So apparently the Lord expects us to keep both fasts and feasts before Him!

In the midst of the great visitation that took place in the days of Nehemiah, Nehemiah admonished the people: "'This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep...go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'" Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy...and their joy was very great...(thus) they celebrated the feast for seven days..." (Nehemiah 8:9-18).

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year are usually times of celebration with family and friends; but this year let us include the Lord in these very seasons in a special way making these times "sacred to our Lord." These are usually times of great joy; so this year let us also tap into "the joy of the Lord." Thus shall our joy be "great"; indeed our joy shall be "very great." Amen!