GOD’S CHOICE
Today’s Reading: Numbers 17-18
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).
Evening sets on the Eastern Gate, or Golden Gate, of the Old City of Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 17:10
And the Lord said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die.
King David wrote, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4b). The “rod” was the shepherd’s aggressive weapon. With this, leadership was established, both with the sheep and an attacking animal or person. This instrument of authority, the rod, was God’s choice as a sign of His authority. The dead stick, Aaron’s rod, sprouted buds, blossoms and ripe almonds. By putting this in the Ark, the leadership issue was settled once and for all. Chapter 18 has to do with the remuneration of those who served full time in the work of God on behalf of the people. It’s not so long ago that Pastors and Evangelists serving in farming communities were paid with a side of beef, vegetables, chickens, etc. During the 1930’s and into the Second World War, cash was hard to come by. No doubt it was the same in Israel’s case.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord, if necessary to stop murmuring, give Your people a sign which confirms Your call on the lives of the leaders You have chosen. Enable me, O Lord, to have that inner witness of Your Spirit with my spirit, that my leaders are Your choice, whether or not I have a physical manifestation such as a dead stick that springs to life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was born in 1936, the height of the depression, and our family lived by the gifts of meat and other produce given by those great people called “Farmers.” Every evening from about ’41 to ’45, I would run over to Mr. White’s farm across the field. I would carefully walk back as I was carrying a pail of fresh milk, still warm from the cow. The White family were of a different denomination than we were, but it made no difference. A portion of the tithe of the milk went to our family while my father served as a missionary in Egypt. Our family stayed behind in Canada because of the danger of the war raging in North Africa and Europe. When Daddy arrived home in December of 1944, Mr. White, Chairman of the local School Board, asked my Father to take over teaching the 52 pupils from grades 1 – 8 in our one-room schoolhouse. He did, and believe me, there was absolutely no murmuring, particularly from me, about Dad’s authority and leadership.
Yours for obedience to God’s directions and loyalty to those He has chosen,
David
P.S. Below is a photo of a time of prayer at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter responded to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Find Peter’s answer in Matthew 16:13-26.
Yes, Your rod and your staff, they comfort us, Lord. Amen to your prayer, David. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 NKJV
MercyMe – Flawless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLlLPZderk
Pastor David thank you for sharing your comments on the passages, it is very helpful . I love to hear your thoughts from when you were a young boy. So respectful to your father, just like we must respect our Heavenly Father
This morning I was reading the later blog messages from yesterday and I was pleased to know that we agree that God is in control of every situation.
American friends we stand by you in prayer. Blessings to all bloggers.
Friends, I would like you to pray for my family.
My daughter is still recovering from the whiplash as a result of the rear-end collision.
My son is still undergoing tests for his heart and lungs. We now know he has a leaky valve in his heart.
My husband fell on Thursday, and has been in hospital since Friday. He has hurt his knee and is unable to stand on his good leg. The other leg has been affected by the stroke he had 10 years ago, and does not have the strength to hold him up. He has had a c.t.scan today, so we hope we get answers soon.
I am home alone and doing well, but it feels like the family are under attack by satan.
I know God is in control, and nothing comes to us except He allows it. And that He has a plan and purpose in all that is happening.
Thanks for your prayers, Mary.
Praying for your family..Romans15:13…May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him… so that you may overflow with hope by the power of The Holy Spirit!
Amen, Anna–beautiful prayer!!
Let us confess our sins to the Lord and to one another! We have sinned against You and we are sorry! Please forgive us! Let us receive His total forgiveness for all our sins! We thank you Lord for this mercy and grace You have given us!
dearest Mary I pray God will give you COMPLETE comfort in His Arms! He is walking right beside you! I encourage you Mary and everyone else to pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud every hour on the hour! Think about each line! Claim each and every Word given by God in that prayer as total Gospel for EVERYONE EVERYWHERE!
Lord we ask that You would speak clearly and directly to Mary’s daughter, son and husband! Speak Words of forgiveness, grace and mercy to each one! They are YOUR children dear Lord; they are our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ! Lord we pray that Your healing touch will be put on each one exactly where the injuries are and that their injuries will be completely healed!
We thank you Lord for Mary and we ask that You also give her new energy to live each day to it’s fullest! We pray You will give her people who will provide much needed extra. We thank you for all those who will minister to Mary and her family!
We thank you Lord that we can come to You for help! Than k you for providing everything we need, over and above our wildest expectations! Thank you Lord, thank you, In Jesus Name we Pray AMEN AMEN AMEN
Lord I pray for your intervention in Mary’s family…I pray Psalm 91:1-2 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
91:3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Including 91:4-16.
The Lord is our refuge and our strength a very present help in time of trouble.
Lord I pray for a quick recovery for every member of Mary’s family. Jesus I pray this in your Mighty Name, Amen!
Yes you are a good example to all of us Pastor David. Thank you for sharing about your family. Will pray for you, your daughter, son and husband Mary. Take heart that the Lord promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. My computer has been under attack which they say has also affected the battery so I will be shut down for a few days until my new one arrives. Will be keeping Lorna Dueck in prayer as well that the Lord will give her the needed strength each day.
Lord God, we bring Mary Stewart’s family before Your throne. You know each and every one of their individual needs. We ask for the blanket of Your precious blood to be poured out upon them and for Your healing touch to be bestowed on them. And bring strength to Mary so she does not feel alone, Lord. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen, amen, and amen.
Amen to all the comments above God bless you all and thank you David 4 your daily insights to the word and when you tell us the stories of your growing-up life they are very interesting to hear thank you Pastor David and God bless you all. Amen
I have to keep reminding myself that God knows what is happening each and every day! He knew He would be removing smoking/alcohol from me 21 years ago! He knew who would be elected as the President of the USA!
God knows all! Help me to trust God to do His thing and that He will do the best for His people, He promises to hear our prayers! He tells us He will never leave nor forsake us! Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so!
Blessings to all!
I am still going thro’ the Bible with you after all these years, I sure do enjoy it, so keep it up as long as you can—its part of my devotions….The picture today was taken in 2012 November, as I was with you that trip and found a picture of myself and a friend in with the others as we prayed together at Caesarea Philippi. My memories of that trip are always with me…Thank you David…….
Claire
Vivienne and I enjoyed meeting you Claire in 2012. I wonder if you are still riding?
Shalom,
Graham.