Rolling From Repentance to Praise
Last week, in response to the Biblical rhythms found in the Jewish calendar year, prayer erupted across our nation. For ten days, beginning on the evening of September 18th and ending on the evening of September 28th, repentance rolled from the lips of believers and praise followed thereafter.
Not familiar with these Biblical rhythms? Here’s a quick overview provided by Love KC, “Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of the Trumpets, kicks off the Jewish New Year with ten days of repentance… Ironically, these days are also called ‘The 10 Days of Awe.’ This makes sense because when we repent, God shows up. The 10 days culminate on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, then ends with celebration in light of the deliverance God provides.”
Linda Meyers, who helped facilitate a prayer group in Olathe during these ten days offers some keen insight into the significance of these days for the Jewish people.
“The Jewish people actually go to each other [saying], ‘remember that argument we had 6 months ago? Would you just forgive me?’ They actually repent and they mean it,” Meyers explains.
The practice of repentance has been largely lost in today’s cultural context. It’s so much easier to be drawn to love, grace, mercy, and freedom than to confront our depth of depravity as individuals, cities, a nation, and as humanity. Paul, however, taps into the reality that God’s kindness is meant to bring us into repentance. He asks his readers, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
Paul reveals a critical elementof repentance: God’s goodness is intended to bring us to repentance. Repentance, then, leads us into a richer relationship with Christ. Repentance opensa pathway for us toreceive great joy and heavenly peace. Repentance is the act of laying down our flesh to take on Christ’s likeness. Repentance brings praise.
When asked “what does repentance mean?” Meyers responded by saying, “It’s a gift.” Referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land,” Meyers points to the God’s mercy and promises.
“Even though the moment of repentance is weighty, it causes life eternal and the joy rises up when people know that [repentance is a gift],”Meyers says. “He has provided this lovely, lovely gift. . . I’ve cried and laughed at the same time because it’s so freeing to be forgiven. That’s my joy in that it leads me to the verse, ‘the joy of the lord is my strength (Acts 3:19). Everybody sings songs talking about the joy of the Lord is your strength, but we just don’t realize that while you’re repenting, that if you’ve been in praise too , after you’ve repented, the praise is deeper, stronger, higher, and the joy of the Lord just will envelop you. It’s amazing.”
While Meyers highlights that repentance leads to praise, the Jewish calendar reflects this, too. Meyers notes that after Yom Kippur, when the Jewish people complete the 10 Days of Awe, there is great celebration! Repentance should throw us into joyful praise! Five days after Yom Kippur is the Feast of Tabernacles – an eight-day holiday with celebration and praise at its very core.
The Gospel mandates repentance, and the Gospel frees us to praise. What if the Church adopted these ancient rhythms of repentance? Imagine the spirit of authentic praise, healing and blessing that might follow!
