Day: March 17, 2024

Day 76 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15

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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.

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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!

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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!!!

The Child Grew and Waxed Strong in Spirit
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. – Luke‬ ‭2:39-40‬ ‭

His Parents Went to Jerusalem Every Year at the Feast of the Passover
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. – Luke‬ ‭2:41-45‬ ‭

After Three Days They Found Him in the Temple
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. – Luke‬ ‭2:46-52‬ ‭

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

He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness], But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties]. – Proverbs‬ ‭11:15‬ ‭ AMP

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.