Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Isaiah 43:14-45:10, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 24:1-2

Awaken to the Shofar: Entering God’s New Year with Repentance and Joy

Last night at dusk we stepped into a new year of the Lord — not the turning of man’s calendar, but the turning of His. Rosh Hashana, the Feast of Trumpets, awakens us with the cry of the shofar: the King is coming — repent and prepare!

As I lifted the shofar to my lips to call in the new year and welcome our King, I could not hold back the tears. I blew it long and loud three time then knelt in prayer with my husband, weeping at the weight of its meaning — that God Himself has chosen, called, and blessed His people for such a time as this. The sound was not just a trumpet blast into the air, but a declaration into the heavens: the King is coming, His covenant stands, and His people must arise.

Through Isaiah, the Lord announces His kingship: “I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator and King” (Isaiah 43:15, NLT). His coming is not hidden or silent. “I will go before you and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron” (Isaiah 45:2, NLT). The trumpet blast declares both warning and promise — the Holy One draws near, and nothing can stand in His way.

Paul reminds us what this means for those who believe: “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT). The trumpet not only calls us to turn from sin, but to turn toward the fullness of Christ — a life rooted and grounded in His love.

The psalmist gives voice to the trumpet’s cry: “Rise up, O God, and scatter Your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives” (Psalm 68:1, NLT). The shofar shatters the silence, proclaiming that our God reigns, His enemies flee, and His people are carried daily in His arms (Psalm 68:19).

But Proverbs warns us to be sober: “Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble” (Proverbs 24:1–2, NLT). The trumpet calls us away from compromise and into holiness, for this is not the world’s new year — it is the Lord’s.

The Significance of the Year 5786

On God’s calendar, we have now entered the Hebrew year 5786. Numbers in the Bible are never random — they carry meaning, both numerically and through the Hebrew letters that form the year.

Numerical Meaning of 5786

• 5 speaks of grace — the undeserved favor of God.
• 7 speaks of completion and covenant — the fullness of His promises and His perfect rest.
• 8 speaks of new beginnings and resurrection — stepping into what is beyond the natural, into the supernatural.
• 6 speaks of humanity — created on the sixth day, representing our weakness and our need for redemption.

💎 Together, 5786 declares: A year of grace (5) and covenant perfection (7), ushering in supernatural new beginnings (8) for humanity (6).

Hebrew Letter Pictures for 5786 (תשפ״ו)

Hebrew letters: Each number is also tied to a Hebrew letter picture. Together they paint a prophetic message:

• Tav (400) — a mark, covenant, or seal.
• Shin (300) — fire, refining, and God’s divine presence.
• Pei (80) — the mouth, speech, and declaration.
• Vav (6) — a nail, a hook, connection between heaven and earth.

💎 Put together, 5786 can be read as:
“The covenant fire of God will be declared through His people’s mouths, connecting heaven and earth.”

Now is the time to stand up, open your mouth, and proclaim the greatness of our God. Do not stay silent. As the shofar announces the King, so must we declare His covenant love and fiery truth to a world in darkness. This is the year of grace, covenant, new beginnings, and redemption for humanity — but only if the people of God lift their voices.

So let us rejoice at the dawning of this new year of the Lord, 5786. The shofar is sounding still: repent, return, and rejoice, for the King is coming.

Action (5 Minutes with God)

1. Repent: Allow the trumpet’s cry to awaken your heart to anything that needs cleansing.
   • Ask the Lord, “Search my heart, O Lord, and reveal to me anything that needs repentance.” then journal His answer as He whispers through His Holy Spirit.
2. Return: Step back into the path of holiness, confident that your King goes before you.
   • Ask the Lord, “What do you want me to know about this?” then journal His answer.
3. Resolve: Enter this year of the Lord with fresh devotion — living awake, holy, and ready for His return.
   • Ask the Lord, “What do you want me to do?” then journal His answer and do it!
4. Rejoice: Proclaim Psalm 68: “Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day He carries us in His arms” (Psalm 68:19, NLT).

Prayer

Lord, last night we entered Your appointed time — a new year of the Lord. The trumpet has sounded, and I choose to awaken my heart. Thank You for going before me, scattering the enemy, and carrying me in Your arms each day. Fill me with the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, and let me live this year in the fullness of Your life and power. The King is coming — prepare my heart to meet You. Amen.s each day. I welcome You, King Jesus. Amen. 💎

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© 2025 Gems of Knowledge. Scripture quotations from the NLT © Tyndale House Foundation.