Day 1 – The sacred power of God’s calendar

Dear Friend,

You’re not receiving this email today by accident. Scripture declares, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD” (Psalm 37:23). I believe this is your time … your season … for God to do something new in your life!

You may wonder, “Why does this season matter so much? Why are these 10 Days of Awe so different?”


Friend, in more than 800 verses across its 1,166 pages, your Bible shouts that our God is a God of timing … a God of seasons, cycles, purpose, and intention.

God’s timing and purpose revealed through seasons is more than an aspect of His character. It is an invitation. You’ll clearly see this truth if you consider the cycles of the earth and our natural surroundings.

If you were to take a drive through the back roads here in Ohio in September or October, you’ll see fields and fields of sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, and much more. But no strawberries. They come along much earlier, in late May. Apples are everywhere right now, but you can’t find them in June.

Why? Because your Bible says, “to everything, there is a season.”

From the very beginning, God set in motion His cycles. On the fourth day of creation, as He made the sun, moon, and stars, “God said, let there be lights to separate the day from the night and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14).

• God’s Word Translation words it, “They will be signs and will mark religious festivals, days, and years.”
• The NIV translates it, “Let them serve as signs to mark sacred times ...”
• The Amplified Bible says, “Let them be signs and tokens [of God’s provident care].”

I’m sure you see it—the meaning hidden for you, but revealed by the Hebrew meaning. The sun, moon, and stars are to mark “religious festivals” or “sacred times.” They are tokens of God’s covenants and His loving care.

The Hebrew word behind this truth is mo’edim. It means “set or appointed times; festivals; appointed places; appointed meetings.”

Now there is no point recorded in your Bible where God ever did away with His calendar or His timetable.

I’ve said it already, but I must say it again ... God is a God of seasons. You can’t get strawberries from God in October. You aren’t going to get apples from God in May.

He commanded His people to be in very close connection to the land, according to a very cyclical nature so they could trust in His faithfulness.

Three times in a year, His people would enter into “mo’edim” – times He blocked out on His divine calendar to meet with His people.

That’s what Isaiah 55:6 means when it says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

How odd! “… while He may be found…. while he is near.”

Is He hiding? How can He be in need of finding when He’s always present? How can He be near when He fills space, time, and all eternity (Psalm 139:7-12)?

This is what the feasts are! They are not the feasts merely of Israel or the Church. God calls them “My feasts” (Leviticus 23:2). They are times when God has made a covenant promise to draw nearer to His people than any other time of the year.

• At Passover: He delivers us.
• At Firstfruits: He provides for us and raises us up.
• At Unleavened Bread: He cleans our home and our hearts.
• At Pentecost: He unites us and fills us to overflowing.
• At Trumpets: He celebrates with us and marks the year.
• At Atonement: He makes a way where there is no way and invites us into the Holy Place.
• At Tabernacles: He comes to dwell among us.

Leviticus 23:27 says, “Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement ... You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD.”

This is God’s feast, on His calendar. But He has invited us to participate! As a loving Father, He’s telling us what He’s going to do and how to be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing to encounter His majesty!

Why? Because He wants to bless His people! He is the Ultimate Giver of every good thing!

God’s divine calendar prompts us, much like a sacred alarm clock, to arise and remember God’s great deeds, to celebrate His abundant goodness, and to worship Him for His glorious acts yet to come. God is so good! He’s a loving Father. And He wants to bless you!

Friend, I am praying for you daily during these 10 Days of Awe. Send me your most urgent prayer requests so I can bring them before the Lord as we approach the Day of Atonement, Monday, September 21. And remember, God commands: “Do not appear before the LORD empty-handed” (Deuteronomy 16:16 MEV). Your Atonement Offering is more than a gift — it is a covenant act of obedience that aligns you with His promises.



My prayer for you today:

Father, thank You for the sacred times You established on Your calendar to bless Your people. I pray You would draw my friend closer to You in these holy days, creating in them a clean heart and renewing a steadfast spirit as we join Your calendar and Your timetable to effect Your change on Earth. Release Your favor, protection, and provision as they honor You during this Atonement season. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Yours for the harvest,


Pastor Rod Parsley