The other day I watched a video teaching about the month of Kislev. Never heard of it? Well, as you probably know, the Jewish calendar is different from the Greco-Roman calendar that we normally use. The ninth month of the spiritual year – Kislev – is from November 24- December 24, 2022. Kislev is a month associated with physical darkness; you’ve probably noticed the nights are much longer in December in the Northern Hemisphere than they were in June and July. Where we live annually goes from 8 hours of darkness in June to 8 hours of light in December. That’s a tremendous change in the amount of physical light that we experience. And if/when we are listening to the voices of the world that constantly are bombarding us with evil people, wicked actions, hopelessness, and complete fear, the spiritual darkness seems so strong and heavy. Thankfully, the Apostle John reassures us that the Darkness cannot overcome the Light of Jesus: “The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]” (John 1:5 AMP). To put it another way:
“In the beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning. And through his creative inspiration this Living Expression made all things, for nothing has existence apart from him! A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness— Light that darkness could not overcome!” (John 1:1-5 TPT) Thanks be to God for the Light of Life!!
But back to Kislev.
The Hebrew word “Kislev” means “trust, hope, and security.” No matter the darkness in the world, when we are focused on Jesus Christ as our trust, hope, and security, we can live in the Light and as people of the Light. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:17-18 NIV). We trust those we know love us, so when we know the God of Love, we can trust God. The Psalmist writes, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever” (Psalm 125:1 NIV). As we grow in our understanding of God’s love for us, we trust him more, and we are unshakeable. Because we are unshakeable, we have hope: “In his great mercy [Jesus] has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
When we are surrounded by so much fear, it can be challenging to stand in faith. Yet, God’s “perfect love drives out fear,” (1 John 4:18 NIV). His love helps us trust him and develop faith in him. Just as a small candle brings great light to an otherwise dark room, a “mustard seed” sized faith can move mountains. In this month of Kislev, where darkness seems so strong, let us focus on the Love of God, grow in our trust and hope in Jesus Christ, and stand secure in the truth that the Light of Life – Emmanuel – is with us.
God of Light,
Thank you for the reminder that in the midst of so much darkness, you are our Way, our Truth, our Life, and our Light. Thank you for showing us your Love and helping us to trust you and find our hope and security in you. Holy Spirit, grow our faith deeper and stronger, even in this season of darkness, so that we can be light in a world that so desperately needs it. May we who love you be secure and peaceful, we ask in Jesus’s name, Amen.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done” (Matthew 21:21 NIV).
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you” (Psalm 122:6-8 NIV).
h/t Christine Vales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twsTyxkoeIc