Beyond the Weekend

December 5 | The Feast of Pentecost

December 5, 2022

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. Deuteronomy 16:9

Read: Deuteronomy 16:9-12
Listen:
Deuteronomy 16

TODAY’S MESSAGE

God commands the Israelites to hold the Feast of Pentecost (also called the Feast of Weeks) as a celebration to shape them into the people he designed them to be. This feast occurs in late spring as the wheat harvest comes in. God wants to teach his people to turn to him in the good times when rain and crops are abundant and in the lean times when the harvest is sparse. He seeks to grow their faith in his provision, knowing they will fail and turn to things other than him. This annual feast helps shape their trust in God and reflects his heart of generosity to the world around them.

Pentecost also looks back at the historical event when God descended on Mount Sinai and gave the law to Israel (Exodus 19:16-18). This event marks the beginning of God revealing who he is and who he has called his people to be. He desires to show the world what he is like as they follow his law. Hundreds of years later, and after his return to heaven, Jesus assigns new meaning to this feast for his followers. God again descends on Pentecost and begins a new relationship with his people through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of those who’ve put their faith and trust in Jesus.

No matter what season we find ourselves in, God desires to shape our hearts toward his. In seasons of plenty or lack, God urges us to trust him for all we need. Remembering what he has done for us in the past helps us trust him for the future. As we trust God, the Holy Spirit helps us grow to reflect his character and heart to those around us.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Pray and ask God to help you reflect God’s heart in every area of your life. “God, I confess that trusting you can be challenging for me. Help me reflect your character and depend on you in every area of my life. Amen.”


2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE

Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.

ROMANS 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like