This month of Nissan is represented by the Tribe of Judah.  This tribe is one of monarchy and leadership, but the story didn’t begin there.

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah.  As we recall, Leah was not Jacob’s choice, nor was she beautiful like her sister Rachel.  While competing for her husband’s love, she bore him children that Rachel could not.  Finally, after her fourth child was born, Leah said, Gen 29:35 “Now will I praise the Lord!” So, she called his name Judah (praise).  Leah made a choice in unpleasant circumstances to keep her eyes on the Lord and praise Him regardless of her disappointment and rejection.

Although Judah’s name sake is glorious, his life did not always display this.  Judah’s unredeemed side is reflected during the time Joseph is sold into slavery.

 And Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?  Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” 

Genesis 37:26-27

We can have hope because as Judah journeyed through his messy life, God wouldn’t let him go.  Years later, unbeknownst to him as he stood before Joseph, this same man became collateral for Benjamin, Rachel’s other son.  

“Also, your servant pledged his own life as a guarantee of the young man’s safety.  I told my father, “If I don’t bring him back to you, you can blame me forever’  Therefore, please allow your servant to remain as a slave to Your Excellency, instead of the young man, and let the young man go back home with his brothers.”

Genesis 44:32-33

Not only does this story exemplify redemption but it is also a picture of what our older brother Jesus has done for us.  He sacrificed Himself for our sin so that we could go home to our Father.  He took our place and paid with His life, a cruel and painful death.  

It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father.  Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.

John 13:1 

As we journey through these uncertain times, let’s remember how much we are loved and release a Holy Roar of praise so we can prepare the way of the Lord.  As we release our voices, heaven and earth collide changing the atmosphere. We can be certain that His love will comfort, heal and provide our innermost needs.  The world can’t take what the world doesn’t give. 

I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So, don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27  

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:26-27  

So, Lord, we stand in the gap for all mankind and ask that Your Presence be poured out like never before.  As Your people praise, may You touch down all across our world.  We ask that you would breakout in signs, wonders and miracles, breach the enemy lines that have encroached upon our inheritance, so that Your Ekklesia will emerge as the spotless bride You intended her to be. 

 …just as Christ loved the church.  He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.  He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.  Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

Ephesians 5:25-27

"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.

Psalm 107:2 

And as we do, we declare that the world will,

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that their sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. 

Acts 3:19