Month: March 2021

Numbers 32:1–33:39; Luke 4:31–5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22

Discouragement Breeds Discouragement
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? – Numbers 32:1-7

The leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad looked at the land just before the Jordan River and thought it was the perfect land for them because it was suitable for their cattle. The problem was that the Promised Land was on the other side of the Jordan River. They came to Moses and asked if they could just settle there and have that land as their inheritance.

Moses responded, Why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord has given them? Moses knew that the attitude of the tribes of Reuben and Gad could very well keep all of Israel from going into the Promised Land.  Their attitude said – we’ve fought enough and suffered enough and waited long enough. Let’s just settle down where we are.

Moses reminded the leaders why their ancestors failed to enter the Promised Land all those years before. The negative reports alone did not keep them out. They were kept out because the nation as a whole yielded to those reports. The children of Israel failed to trust God’s plans and promises and that kept them wandering.

The discouragement of the leaders came upon the nation, which kept an entire generation of Israelites from the Promises of God. If any had wholly followed the LORD, the discouraging report wouldn’t have influenced them. What made Joshua and Caleb different was that they wholly followed the LORD. They did not bend in trusting the Lord when the discouraging report of the ten unfaithful spies came forth.

How many of us have developed the “I’ve waited long enough” attitude? I know I have. What has your report sounded like? Oh my!!!

When we are not wholly following the LORD, we are more likely to be influenced by the flesh, and in turn, we will affect others. The result will be to be discouraged ourselves and run the enormous risk of discouraging those around us. Complacency is contagious!

It is a terrible thing to be used by the devil to discourage other believers so that they walk away from what God has promised. We should repent if we have, ask for forgiveness, and also ask God to guard us against ever discouraging the heart of another child of God.

This passage has some other good reminders. First, guard your own heart. If you want to press in and go deeper and further with God, be careful of your company and who you allow speaking into your life. Discouraging words discourage!

And also, if your circle of friends is content where they are and don’t want to press for more of the Lord – BEWARE! Their excuses may sound good, but at the root of anything other than the Promise is either the “I am tired of waiting” attitude or an “I have arrived – after all look at all this green grass” attitude. Anything short of what God has promised isn’t God’s perfect will.

Preserve My Life from Fear of the Enemy
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. – Psalm 64:1

They Forsook All and Followed Him
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. – Luke 5:5-11

This miracle of the fish brought Peter and the others face-to-face with Jesus, the Son of God, and their sinfulness before Him. Isn’t that the purpose of every miracle?

Woman without Discretion
As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. – Proverbs 11:22

Numbers 30:1–31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21

Fasting
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. – Luke 4:1-2

Overcoming Temptation
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. – Luke 4:4

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. – Luke 4:8

And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. – Luke 4:12

Returning in the Power of the Spirit
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. – Luke 4:14-19

In the Shadow of Thy Wings
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. – Psalm 63:7-8

His Delight
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. – Proverbs 11:20

Gathered Unto Thy People
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. – Numbers 31:1-2

Numbers 28:16–29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19

God Hath Spoken (the verse that satisfies today)
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. – Psalm 62:1-2

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. – Psalms 62:11

How many of us constantly talk to God while we are waiting? We have a hard time sitting alongside Him in silence. I know I have a hard time with it. But I also know that a season of waiting means to do so in body, mind, and spirit. Stop everything. Stop the busyness. Stop overthinking everything. Just be quiet. Just be still.

As in any relationship, times of quiet and contentment, just in who you are together, are vital. Be patient in the waiting and in the quiet. If you find yourself doing anything then let it be listening! If you do not listen, you will never hear what is on the other person’s heart.

This is also true in our relationship with our God. If you are constantly talking (even about good things), you will not hear God when He speaks. You will not hear Him say things like – Power belongs to Him! Power belongs to Him. POWER belongs to HIM!

That one verse satisfies all the needs of my longing heart today. POWER!

Atonement
and one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. – Numbers 28:30

The Israelites had to bring one spotless, male goat to make atonement. What does that mean?

Atonement – satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.

The children of Israel brought a spotless male goat as a sacrifice to make repayment for their sins.

Because Jesus came to this earth as a man and lived a sinless life  (the spotless Lamb of God) and died on the old rugged cross when He had done nothing to deserve that, Jesus took the place of our sacrifice to make atonement for each of us. The price for sin was a blood sacrifice. If you didn’t make it with a male goat, you would pay it with your very life. Jesus was our blood sacrifice. When He died, He made payment for our sin. But, Jesus rose out of the grave and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. HALLELUJAH! And what is He doing? Right now, this very minute, He is interceding for YOU and ME.

GLORY to GOD!!! I am thankful that He loved me enough to come and make atonement for me!

Genealogy of Joseph
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, – Luke 3:23

which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. – Luke 3:38

The reading today has been full of seemingly repetition, numbers, and names. But it is incredible here in the New Testament that the writer traced Joseph’s lineage back to God Himself. How many times have we skipped over this section while reading? I have. The Bible clearly shows here how Joseph’s bloodline goes back to God. That means God was his Father. And that means God is our Father too! We say we are His children by adoption, but if we could go back through all of our ancestors, we would find, like Joseph found, that truly we are the children of God!!!

Ponder on that and allow that statement to encourage you today. It has me!

Sure Reward or Death – Your Choice
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. – Proverbs 11:18-19

Reward or death is a choice we make each day, with every single decision. If I  live righteously, I will have a reward – a sure reward – and His name is JESUS!

Help me Lord to chose wisely today and every day!

Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15

We HE Shall Do Valiantly
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. – Psalms 60:12

I can do nothing except yield.

Legacy (in the Old Testament)
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. – Numbers 26:9-11

We probably all tend to skim over chapters like this one with lists of names and numbers. But what spoke to me are those remembered because of their mistakes. Dathan and Abiram are recognized for the rebellion they started against Moses, Aaron, and God Himself. Doesn’t that make you wonder what will be recorded of your life? What kind of legacy will I leave? Will it be one of rebellion against God or of serving Him?

Help me, Lord, to be faithful to You and You alone. Help me to serve You and those You love in all that I do. I cannot do it in and of myself, but with You, I cannot fail. Help me, Lord…in Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!

Legacy (In the New Testament)
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. – Luke 2:36-38

Before God called me to anything else, He called me to be a woman of prayer and fasting. I had not grown up learning about fasting and had never even given it thought, so being called to it was a God thing. But I was compelled to begin fasting from the day I was saved and did my first three-day fast in my first week of accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Since then, I have done many fasts and am currently in a corporate 40-day fast. Only God knows all of what He does in these times. I can’t say that I even fully understand being called as Anna was to go into a life of serving God in the place of prayer and fasting and then speaking to the people of what He shows me there. Even so, God still looks to and fro, seeking an intercessor. Jesus said some things go not out except by prayer and fasting!!! Pray always, the Bible says; pray without ceasing! God is at the forefront of every day when it is a day of prayer and fasting, and He always shows up in extraordinary ways!!! Always!!!

Say What?
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. – Proverbs 11:15

I had to study on this one because at first it made no sense to me. But study I did.

This verse says that we should not rely on strangers, become secure in their word, or guarantee their debt. This verse says it is foolish to rely on a stranger, so we must stay cautious, but at the same time to be open to them and love them- not to exclude them simply because you don’t know them as well as others. But still, you can’t fully trust someone you don’t know. To do so would be as though you were gambling.

Numbers 24:1–25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Because He was Zealous for His God
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: and he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. –  Numbers 25:6-13

A plague was on the people because the Israelites had begun having relations with other people, which God had forbidden. Twenty-four thousand had died. One of the men brought a Midianite woman and flaunted her before the Children of Israel as they wept before the Lord. Aaron’s son saw this and immediately killed the Israelite man along with this woman. The plague ceased. God hates mixture!

Phinehas, Aaron’s son, was the man who brought this plague to a halt, and the Lord was very pleased with him for taking these two out because it shows that Phinehas was zealous for God’s sake!

Can that be said of me? Am I zealous to invest myself in those things that please the Father? Am I just as zealous to quickly destroy the things (in my world) that God hates? Am I zealous for these things simply because He is God, and I serve Him and Him alone? Am I zealous for God’s sake?

Zealous – fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence.

As was Written in the Law of the Lord
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. – Luke 2:22-24

This morning I asked the Lord to show me something new in the Bible passages leading up to the birth of Jesus. Isn’t He faithful? This passage struck me because we have recently read about all of the laws God set forth through Moses. Here we have Mary, the young mother of Jesus, obeying those very same laws concerning the birth of God’s Son.  It says every male that openeth the womb (every firstborn son shall be called Holy to the Lord) and presented to the Lord along with a sacrifice. How much that must have meant to Mary and Joseph to present the Son to His Father! How blessed that they were obedient in every way. How blessed that God let me see this afresh today, because I asked.

God is My Defense and My Refuge
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. – Psalm 59:16-17

Defense – resistance against attack; protection; the defending of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.
Refuge – Shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.; anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape

The Holy Ghost is My Counselor
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. – Proverbs 11:14

I believe in seeking Godly counsel from those the Lord has placed over me. That being said, no earthly counselor can ever take the place of the Holy Ghost that lives inside of me and guides and directs me daily. Where would I be had I not learned to seek His direction before and after others have spoken their piece?

Numbers 22:21–23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13

Balaam – God Speaks
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! – Numbers 23:8-10

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. – Numbers 23:19-20

Balak promised Balaam riches and prestige to curse the children of Israel. God wouldn’t let it happen and told Balaam over and over that it was not happening. God’s people were blessed, and not to be cursed. Balak tempted Balaam over and over with things and status. Each time, God instructed Balaam to speak only what God told him. God’s instruction and His Word did not change though Balak tried to change the scenery to get a change of response.

Balak learned the lesson we all must learn. God is not a man, that He should lie. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yes, His Words all those years ago are still the same today and forever will be.

John – The Lord Was With Him
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. – Luke 1:66

Isn’t that all any of us need? The Lord with us?

Zacharias – was Filled with the Holy Ghost
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. – Luke 1:67-79

Zacharias couldn’t speak for a time because of his unbelief. When he was able to speak again, after John was born, these were the words he said. These Words are proceeded by the phrase “Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost.” These were the Words of the Lord to His children, coming through Zacharias.

The Righteous – Shall Rejoice
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. – Psalm 58:10-11

Reveal or Conceal
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. – Proverbs 11:13

Numbers 21:1–22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11

Perform: to carry out; execute; do; to accomplish; to fulfill a command, promise, or undertaking

There Shall Be A Performance
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. – Luke 1:41-45

He Performeth All Things (for me)
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. – Psalm 57:1-3

I Cannot Go Beyond the Word
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: for I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. – Numbers 22:15-20

Knowledge Delivers (the just)
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. – Proverbs 11:9

Father in Heaven, I come before You today, and my soul doth magnify You. You have done great things over and over again for me. You have given even me Your Word that is much more precious than silver or gold. You have given Your Holy Ghost that fills me to comfort and teach and guide. I can do all things through Your strength given by Your Son who came and died for me on that old rugged cross but now sits on Your right hand, interceding for me! How wonderful to know that You, the almighty God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – are in Heaven and here and every Angel and those around Your throne can hear my name coming from Your mouth today. Lord, thank You that Your Word shows me there will be a performance of things promised. This Word assures me that You do perform all things for me. It teaches me I should not go beyond Your Word to do less or more than what You command, but that if I follow Your direction, seeking Your knowledge – Your knowledge will deliver me! Thank You, Father. Please help me today to be content and encouraged as I wait for Your great performance. Accomplish what You will of Your plan in my life today. I love You, and I ask You to help me honor You, in all I do, on this beautiful day that You have made. I ask all these things in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Numbers 19:1–20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8

Trust the Lord
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me – Psalm 56:3-4

In all circumstances and in every emotion that springs forth, we have the choice to trust the Lord through it and allow Him to do His perfect work in our hearts and lives…or to trust our own feelings. Leaning into feelings, whether it is fear, anger, jealousy, loneliness, or even earthly love and happiness, rather than leaning into Jesus will cause us to start straying from His perfect path and walking toward disobedience.

Unbelief Has Consequences
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. – Number 20:2-12

The Children of Israel had begun to complain once again about the lack of water. God told Moses to take them to a particular rock and speak to the rock to bring forth water. Instead, Moses had the people gather, and he shouted at them in anger: Must we bring you water from this rock? He then struck the rock twice with his rod instead of speaking to the rock as God had told him to do. God provided water, but Moses lost the privilege of leading the people into the Promised Land because of his disobedience.

The punishment was hard, and I am sure it devastated Moses and Aaron.  It was, however, the punishment of leaders who disobeyed the Almighty God. How many people lost the blessing of giving God the glory that day because of their actions?

It was also an important lesson for the Israelites – and us. We should always do what God says to do His way. God had a good reason for Moses to speak to the rock. He wanted to display His power to His people at a time when their faith was waning. By Moses yelling at the people and then striking the rock, Moses showed his anger and insinuated that he and Aaron were bringing forth the water for them, not wholly God. God was compassionate toward the people and still gave them water, but Moses had to face the consequences of his anger and disobedience.  He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

We have all been in Moses’ place. At some point, we’ve all had to face the consequences of our own emotions that led to disobedience! We have had to face how we hindered someone else’s ability to glorify the Lord because we overreacted or under-reacted to direct instruction from the Lord. We may have looked at our actions and thought – it was no big deal, but all disobedience to the Lord’s plan is a great big deal.

Disobedience is unbelief.

Unbelief Has Consequences
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. – Luke 1:18-20

Unbelief had consequences in the Old Testament. Unbelief had consequences in the New Testament. Unbelief still has consequences today.

He Will Deliver
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. – Proverbs 11:8

Heavenly Father, Please help us to trust You and You alone today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Numbers 16:41–18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

Believe and Testify
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. – Mark 16:9-18

Jesus was raised and appeared to His followers just as He said He would. They testified, but no one believed them. It seems no one believed without a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. (Correct me, someone, if I am wrong) I think the same is true today. No one comes to Jesus without being drawn. My encounter with Jesus may make someone want to seek Him, but the only thing that brings change is a personal encounter with the Lord, and then the only thing that sustains is a personal relationship with Him.

That reminds me of the testimony of the woman at the well. She went to the town and testified, and it made the people hungry to find out more. The Bible says that they came and met Jesus, and they left having been saved, not just by her testimony but because they had heard from Jesus themselves.

John 4:39-42 – And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they be sought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the World.

Our testimonies are important to draw people, and God uses our testimonies to cause the need to be realized in hearts. But it was true for me and I believe true for everyone – only a genuine face-to-face encounter with Jesus saves!

Intercession
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. 47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed. – Numbers 16:44-50

How many more would have lost their lives if Moses hadn’t instructed Aaron to intercede?

The Safety of the Wilderness
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. – Psalms 55:5-7

The psalmist is hurting and overwhelmed by so much going on in his world and his mind. He wants to fly far, far away to the wilderness to rest. To fly to a wilderness says to me he wants to be in a rugged and lonely place. A hard place. Haven’t we all been there?

Why the wilderness? Maybe because you are pretty sure others won’t follow you there. They might follow and come against you when you are sitting comfortably, but no one much fights to go to the wilderness…except those who want to go deeper with God. Those will find that in the wilderness, there is a great safety. That the Presence of the Lord, though sometimes hard found, is always there. It is a place where you can rest, and if the enemy arrives to take you down, you will likely see him coming.

The Wicked Will Perish
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.- Proverbs 11:17

Everything! Everything of the wicked will perish, including plans and all that we put hope in…even worldly hope (or expectation) itself, will die. The only hope that will remain is the one, true, living HOPE – our Blessed Hope – JESUS!