Some say that following the Feast of Tabernacles they suffer through a "post-Feast letdown." Some brethren admit that they have felt discouragement and despondency following the Feast every year. This doesn't have to happen to you. One of the great lessons of the Bible is God's encouragement to us to focus on Him and His kingdom. There are some excellent Bible lessons for us to examine that lay a strong framework for resisting the human tendency to let down after an uplifting and profitable experience.

Old Testament Reminder

The excitement and exuberance of Israel when leaving Egypt would make some think, "This will never end." But God knew the jubilation was more emotional than spiritual, more temporary than permanent. God exhorted and encouraged the Israelites and their leaders to maintain their focus on Him and on what He had done for them. He had spared their lives, removed them from horrific slavery, restored them to contact with Him and renewed a relationship with His people that had been lost for about 150 years. God entered into a covenant with Israel to which they agreed. "Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, 'All that the Lord has said will we do, and be obedient.'" (Exodus 24:7). But their intentions were temporary. One of several fatal flaws in the mindset of the Israelites was their lack of desire to actually be in the presence of God. They weren't tuned in to God and what God wanted for them enough to offset their human desire to return to life as it had been in Egypt. They returned to Egypt by their actions when they resorted to worshiping as they had done for decades. The golden calf incident stands as a grim reminder of what Israel would resort to when not in tune with God's desire for them. They fell into their old patterns of thinking and sin resulted.

Today's Application

Our relationship with God should never be taken for granted. Our responsibility to God should never be neglected. All too often we, like ancient Israel, fall into old habits. Such as when we fall back into being "too human" by not capitalizing on the strong spiritual influences of such positive experiences as the Feast of Tabernacles. Christ gave a specific direction for our lives: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34). The model prayer includes as a vital part the request for the kingdom of God to come. Of all people, we should never allow the primary goal of our lives, the very reason for our existence, to fade or be neglected. The several months between the annual Holy Day seasons can be accentuated by a strong renewal to seeking first God's kingdom in our private and public lives. By daily renewal of seeking to become a part of the family of God-the kingdom of God-we stand a much greater chance of not only spiritual survival, but also avoiding the pitfalls through which our human nature will carry us. Despondency, letdown and discouragement need not be the avenue our lives take after the Feast. We have enjoyed being in the presence of God and Jesus Christ-fellowshipping with God-for eight days. That relationship needs to continue.

Growth Season

Instead of allowing our human nature to lead us into the doldrums, the Feast of Tabernacles can become a foundation for genuine growth over the next several months. One of the most important steps towards spiritual growth is the daily renewal of seeking first God's kingdom. How can this be done? Our focus on the millennial rule of Christ with His family was indeed a strong one during the Feast of Tabernacles. Use the inspiration you received from the sermons and remember the source of that inspiration. God inspires His people as they observe the annual Holy Day plan. That inspiration is reinforced as God's people reflect on the meaning of the annual Holy Days. Our experiences during the Feast can serve as ongoing inspiration if we stir up the Holy Spirit when human nature begins to take its spiritual toll. Remember the messages you heard during the Feast. Check out a sermon tape from your church library for renewal of the inspiration you experienced during the Feast. Study the lessons of the sermons and seek to implement them into your personal life. Discuss your Feast experiences with other brethren. A community of believers talking about and all seeking the most important goal in human life will strengthen everyone. Your attendance at weekly Sabbath services with other brethren is vital if genuine spiritual growth is to occur.

Be Specific in Establishing Goals

During the Feast most people heard a particular point that hit home as something to work on. It may have been about family needs, personal struggles or doctrinal difficulties. Focus on working on those specific needs in the overall picture of glorifying God by your daily actions as you strive to become a part of the kingdom of God. Keep the kingdom of God in your mind from the beginning of the day until you sleep at night. Ask God daily to bless the work of your hands. It is Christ who prepares us for and makes it possible for us to become a part of our Father's kingdom. By focusing our hearts, minds and actions toward God and His kingdom, spiritual fruit will be produced and spiritual doldrums will be overcome.

Paul encouraged the church at Corinth to carry on with these words: "You were enriched in every thing by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:5-7). Paul strengthened the resolve of the brethren in Philippi when he wrote to them: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). As Christ leads His Church, He is preparing His brothers and sisters for eternal responsibilities in our Father's kingdom. "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3).

Ancient Israel feared to be in the presence of God. Their mistakes soon followed. Their capacity to receive the blessings of the covenant ceased because of their disobedience. We cannot afford to repeat their mistakes. Our desire now can and should be continually seeking to be in God's presence, asking for His help and intervention, as we live to become a part of His kingdom. Next spring our lives can be examples of genuine spiritual growth. With God's help and our seeking first His kingdom, that spiritual growth will happen to you.