Author: Melissa Lynne

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!

Numbers 15:17–16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6

My Truth
And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.- Mark 15:39

The centurion saw Truth, but it was too late. We will all come to this realization one day. It will be a day when we say – “Truly…”  That day will either be the day of our salvation when we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives; the day we set everything else aside to follow Him. Or, it will be the day that you realize that you were wrong, but it will be too late, and you will live an eternity in hell…still uttering the words for an eternity, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”

Seek Him today while He may be found.

My Calling
And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 9 seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? – Numbers 16:8-11

Father, Help me always to be content with Your assignments. Help me to step into obedience and keep myself joyful as I walk out Your plans for my life. I know the place You have placed me is not a small place but a place designed by You for Your glory. Show me, Father, how You want me to walk it out.

Please put a guard over my heart and my mouth that I would never complain about those You have placed in authority over me. Please help me always be a blessing to my Pastors and Your Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, and Apostles.

My Helper
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. – Psalm 54:4

Thank You, my God, that You are my helper, my Savior, my Father, my one true and forever friend.

My Choice
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. – Proverbs 11:5-6

We are all in one of two groups. We are living in righteousness, or we are living in wickedness. It is a choice. You choose for you, and I choose for me.

Choose wisely!

Numbers 14:1–15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4

God Looks Down
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. – Psalm 53:2

A Good Report
If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. – Number 14:8-10

Joshua and Caleb gave good reports, and the Lord was pleased. But the people were not pleased. They wanted to stone them for speaking that good report.

An Evil Report
And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD. – Numbers 14:36-37

God was not pleased with the men that gave an evil report, and He sent a plague that killed them. God was also not please with the complaining congregation. He forgave them but they were stripped of the privilege of entering into the promised land.

Just because most of the congregation or a majority of the leaders believe something, that doesn’t make it acceptable in God’s eyes. A good lesson and reminder to always seek the Lord regarding how and with whom we align ourselves.

The Worst Consequence
…because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you. – Numbers 14:43b

The children of Israel had sinned against God, and they knew it. God told them, because of their sin, they would not be going into the Promised Land. The people mourned. Some of the congregation woke up the next morning and went up the mountain. They had decided to go on into the Promised Land anyway. Moses warned them not to go against what God commanded, and if they didn’t God wouldn’t be with them. They went, and the Amalekites and Canaanites that lived on that mountain killed them.

For the Lord to not go with you and not be by your side is the worst consequence. Turn back to Jesus today before it is too late. If you don’t, it means inevitable and eternal death.

Consequences
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. – Mark14:72

I always feel for Peter because I have been there myself. I have been one that also denied my Lord and then felt sorrow beyond what words could express.

Thank You Jesus, for Your forgiveness and mercy and for not letting me stay in the grips of that shame and failure!!!

No Profit in Riches
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. – Proverbs 11:4

On judgment day, the things you have accumulated on this earth won’t matter one bit.

Heavenly Father, I come into Your Presence today to honor and glorify and thank You for all You are doing in my life during this season. Thank You my God for looking down on me!!! Thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness that even allows me to come into this holy place today. Please take my life and use it as You please. Help me to be obedient to You and You alone. Help me to follow You and You alone. Help me to focus on You and You alone. You and You alone are my God, my Savior, my Lord, and my friend that sticks closer than a brother. You and You alone are all I need. I love You. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Numbers 11:24–13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3

Words
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. – Number 13:30-31

Moses sent twelve leaders (one man for every tribe) to spy out the land as God had commanded him to do. When they returned and were to give their report about the land, Caleb said, “We are well able.” Other men, though, said, “We be not able.” Knowing the story and seeing these words in this passage – how important are our words? How important are the words of our leaders? Your words, if you are a leader? Aren’t we all are leaders of someone?

Had the leaders given a different report, wouldn’t their people have followed willingly?

My words come from what is in my heart. What is in my heart comes from what I ponder most in my mind. What is in my mind comes from what I have allowed in or who I have listened to. My words, attitudes, and what I allow in (even from leaders) matter!!!  

Evil Words
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.  Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. – Psalm 52:1-5

Boasting, mischievous, deceitful, lying, devouring words lead to destruction.

Pride Leads to Shame
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2

We have all been in places where we have let pride take over, and shortly after that, we deal with the shame of having allowed our pride to take over. Wasn’t that what Peter set himself up for as well? His (prideful) words led to great shame.

Lest Ye Enter Into Temptation
And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:37-38

Peter says that he will never deny Jesus. He says even if everyone else does, he won’t. Jesus knows he will and even warns Peter. When he takes the few disciples with Him to pray, he again clearly warns them to watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation. Had they stayed awake, watching and praying, would they have been strengthened in their flesh so that they could have resisted the temptation to deny Jesus?

How important for each of us to also heed these warnings we’ve been given in today’s scriptures – Watch ye (MELISSA) and pray, lest ye (MELISSA) enter into temptation.

Please help me today, Father, to watch and pray…in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Numbers 10:1–11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32

When the Trumpets Sound
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. 3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Numbers 10:2-3

One trumpet was to call the leaders together. Two trumpets were used to call all of the people together. In the book of Revelation, seven trumpets were sounded by seven angels after the breaking of the seventh seal. One day, we will hear the last trumpet sound, and we will know the King is coming.

1 Corinthians 15:52 – In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Matthew 24:31 – And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Revelation 11:15 – And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Woe to that Man
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. –  Mark 14:21

It would be better not to be born than to know Jesus and then betray him.  We are all capable of betraying Jesus through our actions – just like Judas did. But every action starts with a thought.

James 1:13-15 – Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived,  it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death.

Then I Will Teach
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. – Psalms 51:1-4

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:5-12

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. – Psalms 51:13-19

I broke this passage up because I saw it broken down interestingly, and I wanted to share it. Unfortunately, the author was not documented, so I couldn’t either.

The Froward
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. – Proverbs 10:31-32

Froward – willfully contrary; not easily managed.