BETWEEN THE STRAITS Welcome to the month of Av on the Hebrew calendar. We have truly been in a time of transition for the the last few months, even a time of much pressure and strain, but we are about to enter a new season! This month is usually known as the month you metamorphose or disintegrate, one of the two. This is the month the Lion roars. (Amos 3:8) This is the month where God allows destruction, so He can rebuild.
Between the 17th of Tammuz on the Hebrew calendar (previous month) and the 9th of Av, is the three week period known as "Between the Straits". Traditionally, this is a time of mourning and repentance for the Jewish people, as it was this month, on the 9th of Av, that the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed...not once, but twice. There have also been many other tragedies and calamities that befell the Jewish people during this time...you may wonder why? More about that in a moment. First, more about these "straits" we've been in. Even though we are not Jewish, we must understand that we are still affected by everything that happens on the Hebrew calendar, which is God's calendar. Everyone in the world is affected by what happens to God's chosen people, and this is especially true for Christians, who have been grafted in. Many of you may remember not too long ago, when Darin and I wrote about the time of war we were in, speaking of the spring months "when Kings go out to war" (2 Samuel 11:1, Month of Sivan). After that season came to an end, I know many were hoping that we would have a time of reprieve and rest...but alas, instead of rest we entered "the straits", a time of pressing, a time of squeezing and pressure. Sound familiar to what many of you have been experiencing? I know Darin and I have for certain! I want to encourage you now, that you must not give up, just before your breakthrough! A shift is getting ready to happen, and the faithful ones are the ones who will receive their promise! Read on to find out more about what is coming up in this new Month of AV.
Here is an excerpt from "A Time To Advance" by Chuck Pierce, which explains a little bit of the history of this month: "The 9th of Av was the day the people of Israel chose to receive the negative report of the 10 spies and refused to enter the Promised Land. This date was also marked by the destruction of both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem. If you study the history of the Jews, you discover that the Jews are caught in a cycle of destruction. Every year on the 9th of Av, a window of destruction opens over them. On the 9th of Av Israel chose to listen to the voice of UNBELIEF! So, the month of Av was originally intended to be the month that Israel entered the Promised Land. God’s plan had been that every year Av would be a month to celebrate His goodness. God designed Av to be the month to celebrate entering into the Promise. But instead of believing God, the people agreed with unbelief and gave a negative confession. They said: “The enemy is too strong for us. We will all die!” They tasted the FRUIT of the land but refused to enter. They held back in unbelief and by doing that, they put themselves under a curse. Because of their sin on that date, Israel spent forty years in the wilderness. At the end of that time, God, in His grace, gave them a second chance to enter. (God is the God of second chances.) But they never truly repented of the sin. So every year the cycle comes back around, and the window of destruction opens again. But the Word assures us that one day Israel will turn and believe in Jesus as Messiah. Like Israel in Joshua’s day, a future generation will enter in; when that happens, the 9th of Av curse will finally be broken. God still wants Av to be a month of blessing and celebration of His goodness. Av is a month that presents us with a CHOICE! So receive His Promise and mix it with FAITH this month! Av is associated with the constellation of Leo (the lion). This is the month the Lion roars (Amos 3:8). This is one of the most incredible prophetic months. When the Lion roars, a prophetic covering is created. Amos 3 is about unlocking what is above you and the sound that begins to resound in the earth realm. Av is the month for the divine will of the Father to be executed. God allows things to be destroyed so He can rebuild." (End of Excerpt)
The 9th of Av will begin at sundown on Saturday, August 13th, and end at sundown on August 14th, which is exactly one week from today. Let's allow this next week to be a time of repentance and retrospect, so we will be prepared to fully step into what the Lord has in this next season. Join Darin & I, along with many others, who will be praying and interceding this next week, for strongholds to be broken over America, and the Lord's hand to move across this land once again! Don't loose heart, but remain in FAITH, that the Lord is moving on your behalf, and you are about to move into the greatest season of your life! It is time to trust the Lord to lead you into your promised land, and see His will come to pass in your life! Now is the Time...We are the People! ~Prophetic Art by James Nesbit~ jnesbit.com