MORE BLESSINGS
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Here you can see what the breastplate would have looked like on the High Priest in Moses' time. Each of the twelve tribes is represented before God by a precious stone. The Thummin and the Urim mentioned in today's reading were there somewhere, but they remain mysterious objects of which we know very little. Perhaps they were instruments for testing God's will such as casting lots (Deuteronomy 33:8).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 33:27a
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms…
Our reading begins with praise to God and then blessings on all the tribes except one, Simeon. In Genesis 49:5-7 both Simeon and Levi are cursed by their father Jacob. All the other brothers are blessed. Moses and Aaron came from Levi, the tribe that became Israel’s priests. It remains a mystery why Levi was chosen for special service and Simeon was not. Perhaps Levi repented of the sins Jacob mentioned and Simeon did not. God always responds to a godly sorrow for sin, followed by a turning away from sin. Restoring our relationship with God is absolutely essential to experiencing the powerful promise found in our key verse. God blessed Moses. Jesus, Peter, James and John would later meet him on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I search my heart, confess my sin, and trust You for the gift of genuine repentance. Levi became the recipient of Your blessings, and his brother Simeon did not. I’m desperate for Your everlasting arms under me. I lean on Your arms today and every day. Thank You for Your promise of strong support. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Often over the years I have visited the modern expression of “The Promised Land”…Israel. Bible prophecy indicates the establishment of a nation state in the end times called “Israel.” The olive tree symbolizes the spiritual life of Israel; the fig tree symbolizes political Israel (Luke 21:29-31). I, as a Gentile believer in the King of the Jews, Jesus, have been grafted into the olive tree. Jews who believe in Jesus as Messiah, Saviour and Lord (there are thousands in Israel in many congregations) continue an expression of the original olive tree. Following the birth of Jesus’ Church (Acts 2), many thousands of Jews formed the first congregations of believers in Jesus. A non-Jew, Cornelius, was the first Gentile grafted into the olive tree (Acts 10). While modern Israel has come into being, let’s not forget that the modern state of Israel is not gathered in righteousness. For example, I’m told that abortion is legal and huge numbers of little ones are being torn apart in the wombs of Jewish mothers. Jesus’ last prophecy was about this (check out Luke 23:27-31). Let us never forget that God loves all people equally; Arabs and Jews all need to receive Jesus in order to be saved. We all need to come to Him and trust His promises (e.g. John 6:37). Tomorrow, God willing, I’ll do my first blog from the book of Romans. I’ve just had a head-start by reading about the “olive tree.” It’s found in Romans 11:17-24 (click here to read with me).
Yours for God at work today with Jews, Arabs, and all the rest of us…and for the growth of the “olive tree” and its grafted-in branches, of which I believe I’m a little twig,
David
P.S. Yesterday I linked you to my Uncle’s book on the last sayings of the dying at a time before modern sedatives (If you missed it, here is the link again). Most people today are not conscious when they pass away. Many of the last sayings were from a time when believers, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, were persecuted and martyred by wicked leaders from both sides (e.g. Henry VIII). My Uncle featured Heaven and Hell statements from both sides of that great divide. I hope we don’t automatically presume we are reading of only one side or the other. Below is a picture of my uncle, Rev. Manley C. Pritchard. He edited a weekly and also a monthly publication beginning approximately in 1910.
Thanks, David, for the link to your uncle’s book and his photo–a very strong looking man. I so look forward to reading it, this afternoon–a lazy, cozy, Sunday afternoon–in front of the fireplace. I love the blessings of Moses to the tribes in Deuteronomy 33. He is our shield and helper and our glorious sword! Amen! So look forward to starting Romans, tomorrow!
I was moved by today’s daily reading in Streams in the Desert by Lettie Cowman: “You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. God gives us the promises in a quiet hour; God seals our covenants with great and gracious words, then He steps back and waits to see how much we believe; then He lets the tempter come, and the test seems to contradict all that He has spoken. It is then that faith wins its crown. That is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened seamen cry, “I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me.”
“Believe and trust; through stars and suns,
Through life and death, through soul and sense,
His wise, paternal purpose runs;
The darkness of His Providence
Is starlit with Divine intents.”
Blessings, dear saints.
Amen and Amen
I find “Pebbles from the Brink” a facinating read. Moments before my mother “departed” she looked straight into my eyes and smiled. A nurse noticed this from the door and commented on what she too witnessed. My mother was a Catholic Christian and knew the meaning of Christ in her life. As a palliative care volunteer I prayed for a lady shortly before her passing. She appeared to be in a coma but opened her eyes toward me when I asked her if she knew Our Lord God was with her. Her reply was, “I know.” She passed away peacefully. I know not what my last moments will be, but place my hope and trust in Christ Our Saviour. Amen.
Thanks, David, for sharing that. “Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast. Sweetly, thou shalt rest.” The last time I saw my dad before he passed away, we spoke about Jesus. At the end of that conversation, I said, “Call to Him when you are ready, and He will come get you, dad.” The last visit my mom had with my dad, I asked her to tell him, “Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, sweetly, thou shalt rest.” She said he looked up at her, peacefully. There is no other comfort than the mighty name of Jesus before our loved ones and those we care for, pass from this world into the next heavenly realm. Amen!
Amen!
Thank you Beverlee Kay. Wise words.
Great old photo of your uncle Rev. M. A Pritchard family lived near us in ON back in the 50’s and 60’s.
Amazing they never found where Moses was laid to rest; Maybe in our lifetime but then there’s nothing to match his DNA to.
God grant us love, grace, kindness, patience, wisdom and courage in our daily lives.
While I can see most of the blue links in your excellent daily blog I was unable to load the link to your Uncle’s book for some reason?
Shalom,
Graham .
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
PS I hate to think what I am if you are twig grafted into the “olive tree”!
Happy New Year 2015 David and Norma Jean, and to all the family!
I concur Graham … I feel the same way!
David, my dear Brother in Christ … it is a privilege to be able to say that I know you, and I too am sure you are more than a twig, for a twig would never hold all those to whom you have made a difference in their lives! Paul’s words, ‘Follow me as I follow Christ’ is truly you. You have been such an inspiration to so many and God has wisely put you where you can make a difference not only in their life, but also for our great land of Canada! Your accomplishments for God’s kingdom are worth noting and I am sure that your family and loved ones feel privileged, as I, to say that we know this man. Thank you once again for your faithfulness each day to this blog! And to your obedience to Christ so that others can benefit and be blessed and a blessing to those God puts in front of us!
Thanks for sharing this book by your Uncle Manley Pritchard. It is amazing and truly jaw dropping! It should be published once again and perhaps become an offer for donating to 100 Huntley / Crossroads! Something to think about! I would get it and already have people that I would give it to!
Blessings to you David and I pray God will continue to work in your life for His Glory in this New Year 2015 filled with health, strength and all God’s blessings.
Elfie
Wonderful words Elfie that there can only be a BIG AMEN to!!!
Saying Amen to the foregoing thoughts about you David. Also appreciate you posting your Uncle Manley Pritchard’s book, “Pebbles from the Brink” and agree it should be republished. Thank you Beverlee for all your postings from Lettie Cowman. I have her two devotionals as well and she is a tremendous person and writer as you are David and follow your teachings every day. Thinking of you too Doreen and the grieving process you are going through. May God be by your side every day. Love you all.
I wish I got to speak to my dad before he passed on, but I prayed that he is in
heaven also I pray for my family here . Thank you for what you said David
and Beverlee
Lianne
This link is a most precious gift. John Piper and others are always reminding us of the need to “finish well”; and to read the works and words of men and women who have finished well; and this is such a serious and encouraging reminder.
I read the first 40 + pages last evening, and was equally delighted by the words of those who were viewing heaven; and sobered by the words of those who had not placed their trust in the finished work of Christ.
Amazon suggests that Crossroads published it in 1998; would it be possible to print it again?
What a man of strength your uncles appears to be, no wonder you were so fond of him.
Thank you for this blog. Looking forward to going through the Book of Romans with you and your words of wisdom that come through each morning.
I too know about finishing the race well because my dearly loved late husband and father passed away almost 10 years ago at age 47 with a sudden heart attack. He had just told me not long before, that he had no regrets in life, as if he some how knew his days on this earth were soon to pass. As he was lying on the emergency stretcher he turned his head towards me and with a huge smile and lit up face he then turned back and breathed his last. With two doctors right there they could not bring him back, he was forever safe in his Saviour’s arms. How precious are the righteous in God’s eyes. As a nurse I have seen many people die and the most peaceful of all are those know The Lord, no doubt about it! Love in Christ, Elaine
Thanks David for all your insight in the Word and being new on board with your blog, I have to say its a blessing. You mentioned today Luke 23:28, I have always understood this to be a prophecy concerning 70AD when the Romans over threw Israel and the horrible state the Jews found themselves in, even eating their own children due to starvation in the siege. I have also heard abortion is very high in Israel today and of course this is a sign of people’s hearts in the end times. Lord bless, Elaine.