On this seventh night of Chanukah, we look back at the eagerness with which the Jewish people longed to rededicate the Temple after its defilement, and we consider this holiday’s invitation to rededicate our lives to the Lord.
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings
Place seven candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings:
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World.
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Candle Lighting
Using the Shamash, light the Chanukah candles in the opposite direction from which you placed them in the holders. Light them from left to right. Return the Shamash to its place. Let the candles go out on their own. They should burn for a least half an hour.
Devotion
Chanukah is also called the Feast of Dedication. The miracle of the oil occurred as the Jewish people sought to rededicate the Temple after its desecration by Antiochus IV. Their hearts longed to set things right and honor the Lord with a fresh dedication of His dwelling place to His glory.
As long as we walk this Earth, we will be called to a deeper, more complete dedication to the Lord. There are seasons or events in our lives when we may feel a beckoning to recommit ourselves to Him. He continually invites us to have bigger faith and deeper trust in Him. As we do, our relationship with Him grows stronger and more intimate.
Chanukah – this holiday of dedication – offers us a special opportunity to look into our hearts and recommit them to trusting the Lord. Make a point to spend some quiet time with Him this Chanukah, asking Him to show you where He wants your faith in Him to grow.
From the Lord’s Word
In You our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and You delivered them. ––Psalm 22:4 NIV
I have chosen the way of faithfulness. I have set my heart on Your judgements. ––Psalm 119:30
Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ––Ephesians 6:16
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Messiah. ––Romans 10:17
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your special invitations to have a deeper faith and fuller trust in You. We long for more of You. Help us to follow after You, growing in our faith every day. Your Word says that without faith, it is impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6), so we know that our faith gives You pleasure. We dedicate ourselves to You afresh this Chanukah.
