Levitcus 23:15-17 And you will count from the day after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Until the day after the seventh sabbath you will count fifty days; and you will offer a new meat offering to the LORD. You will bring out of your houses two wave loaves of two tenth deals made from fine flour and baked with leaven. These are the first fruits unto the LORD.
In the Old Testament, God commanded Israel to count the Omer (the Barley Harvest) beginning the day after the sabbath during Passover, 50 days to the Biblical Festival of Shavuot (Pentecost).
Amazingly, even though the Jewish people had no land--or harvest to count--for almost 2000 years, they continued to count the Omer--counting a harvest that did not exist! When the Jewish people returned to the Middle East, the barley harvest was restored, and now they count the Omer as they did in ancient times, with an actual harvest.
So. If the Jews in dispersion could count the days of a non-existent harvest in expectation of a divine blessing which they earnestly hoped for, then they set an excellent example for us who trust in the Messiah.
Since faith is the conviction of things NOT seen, we also, can begin to give thanks for blessings we're praying for, but have yet to receive. A job, a broken relationship, financial difficulties…..all these are trials that test and mature our faith.
We can rejoice in them, even as we give thanks in the expectation of victory, restoration, and a harvest of righteousness that is on the way. May these come to many of us by Shavuot, this year (May 27th).
Thank the Lord for the blessings you're about to receive — they're on the way!
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