Monday, March 16, 2015

DAGON FALLEN

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 5-6

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

This is some of the landscape that the Children of Israel of would have beheld as they sojourned in the desert before entering the Promised Land. This is Timna National Park in Southern Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 6:20

And the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall it go up from us?”

In today’s reading we learn of the different ways of handling the Ark of the Covenant. First, the Philistines of Ashdod offended God, and then the Israelites of Beth Shemesh, who knew better, treated the Ark as an article of curiosity, failing to respect the symbol of God’s Presence as Moses had instructed them. The Philistines may have thought they were honouring the God of Israel by placing the Ark in the Temple of Dagon, but instead they abused Him. They failed to understand that God does not share worship with an idol. We can look up in our Bibles the proper way to handle the Ark. The people to whom the cattle brought the ark may not have had immediate access to the scrolls with the instructions. Ignorance, in this case, was no excuse.
We have the assurance that since Jesus came, we can stand before God with reverence, worshipping Him. We must not take Him for granted or presume upon His mercy. It’s true that Jesus changed our approach to God. The excruciating suffering and death of Christ is ample proof that our holy God is outraged by sin in all its forms. We throw ourselves on His grace and mercy.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I come boldly to Your throne of grace. According to Your Word in Hebrews 4:16, I receive mercy and find grace in my time of need. Please help me to always approach You with all reverence and total respect, knowing that Jesus, our great High Priest, has gone before me with His blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of the Ark in the heavens. In His Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I lived on my uncle’s farm for six years while my Dad was away from our family during WW2. Three years after his return, Dad accepted a call to two rural congregations filled with farmers. I spent much time on their farms, learning all about cattle. Then I worked full time on farms for five summers. I know first-hand that the natural way for cows that have just given birth to a calf is to remain beside that calf. What we read about today is not natural but supernatural. God always retains the right to intervene, changing patterns of behaviour to bring about His purposes. Animals are not made in God’s image as humans are. They function by pre-programmed instinct. I’ve learned that I am not like that. I must deliberately give my will over to God’s will, obeying His instructions. When I decide to follow Him, I know that supernatural provision for my journey will be provided as I go.

Yours for decisions to follow God’s instructions more closely,

David

The Ark of the Covenant, as depicted in a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle at Timna Park in Israel.

26 thoughts on “Monday, March 16, 2015

  1. Thank you David, for this blog. It is keeping me with the Word of God and focused after many events in my life that left me struggling, one of them the disciplineof reading the Bible. I love the pictures, the songs or media clips from different sources. Thank you for the blessing.

  2. Praying your Prayer for Today. Also praying God will bring success to Mr. Netanyahu and his Party in tomorrow’s elections in Israel.
    God bless fellow saints.

  3. Amen! Lynda.
    I really appreciate this daily blog.
    It keeps me focused on the bible & has given me
    much encouragement to never give up my faith in God.

  4. I appreciate your blog so much and look forward to reading it each morning. Not only are we working through the Bible but also enjoying the scriptural insights, pictures, and personal applications that goes with the reading. Thank you so much for each of you who help to faithfully send this out each morning, and especially to you David for striving to obey and please God with you words and commitment to do this. God bless you and your family!

  5. With gratitude I have followed your TV programs over many years. I thank God for your honesty, sincerity, humility, and devotion to our Lord. I miss your dear face on the programs. So, since you asked for feedback about your future, I would love to see you more frequently, and hear your inspirational words of wisdom. Speaking of age, I am almost 92. God bless you in every area of your life.
    .

  6. Thank you David. M I am still following the blog and I love it Keeps me
    focused on the Lord Thank you for your faithfulness ingiving us
    our daily bread …Let us keep praying for Isreal and the elections
    tomorrow may God put in the leader HE wants …Its in HIS hands…..R….

  7. Thank you Reynold for the spectacular picture of the Ark of the Covenant as well as the landscape!!!

    I grew up on a farm and appreciate having had that upbringing…even though I left home at 15 to attend school in the City.

    The scriptures today are an expression of God’s holiness and intolerance of sin in all forms. He is HOLY and Worthy of our praise, giving Him Honor and Glory!!!

    Thank you JESUS my REDEEMER!!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE!!! FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DIE THAT I MIGHT LIVE ETERNALLY WITH YOU. FOR REVEALING OUR FATHER AND OPENING THE WAY TO THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD THE FATHER!!
    ALL GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE TO YOU FOREVER, AMEN!! AMEN!!! and AMEN!!!

  8. Yes, I too pray for Israel and the election tomorrow, for God’s intervention and for His purpose to be accomplished in it. I pray for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family, for God’s protection over them.

  9. Hello,

    I am writing on the behalf of my mother, Carole as she is being hospitalized and needs your prayers. I myself am not a Christian but I know that she would truly appreciate prayers from her friends at 100 words.

    Thank you and God bless you. My mother speaks so kindly of this fellowship.

    Have a blessed day everyone!

    Carole’s daughter xxx

    • We pray to you, our Heavenly Father, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit. We call out for protection and supernatural healing powers and holy intervention for our dear sister-in-Christ, Carole. You are healed being covered in the precious blood of Jesus, and comforted by your Father’s loving arms wrapped around you. All saints are praying for you, Carole, that you be lifted up and healed, in the mighty name of Jesus, our Saviour, Redeemer and Healer. Amen, amen and amen!!

  10. Carole, I will be praying for you. Thank you daughter for letting us know she is ill. Right now, in Jesus Name, I place her before the Lord asking Him to release healing to her. (all healing comes from Him – sometimes supernaturally, and sometimes via people He has gifted with understanding and knowledge in treating us). May God’s Perfect Will be done in her life. May His Face shine upon her today and strengthen her. May the family be blessed greatly by His Loving Care for Carole. Amen.

  11. Thank you Carole’s daughter for your concern for your Mother…I pray that the Healing Power of Our Lord Jesus Christ fill her with His love and anointing of the Holy Spirit for a full recovery, and may you be at peace as you tend to your Mother, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen!

  12. Lord God I Pray healing for Carole Pony Meunier, I pray that she will feel Your loving arms around her, I pray the medical staff will be guided in caring for Carole and complete restoration of her health willl abound! Thank you Heavenly Father AMEN ………
    bless all you have been praying for Carole!

    also bless the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyaku!

  13. Thank you so much for your faithfulness to this blog each day. I praise God for you David and Ron and your discipline to be unfailing in having it online so early. Yesterday (March 16)when mine didn’t arrive as usual I was upset and praying everything was well with you both. I contacted Crossroads and it was sent later in the day. Not sure where the problem lies but again today (March 17)it hasn’t arrived. I count on it to do my devotions between 6 and 7 AM. HMMMM ! What does God want me to learn thru this ! ?

  14. Mar 17,
    Dear David,
    I did,nt get 100 words this morning, I can not start my day without it.
    I hope you get my email.
    100 words is very important to me.
    Thanh you,
    Doreen Brown

  15. Dear Carole, I also pray for you as well that God’s Presense and healing will be with you during this difficult time. Thank you daughter for letting us know and your love and care for your mother. Trust she has a speedy recovery. Love you, Ger

  16. Carol, dear sister in Christ, I pray God’s protection around you as the doctors be given wisdom in how to minister to you. May Our Saviour’s healing powers strengthen you and surround you in His Peace. He has you under His wings.

    I pray also for your family to feel the presence of A Loving Father around them.

    Blessings everyone

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