WEEPING
Today’s Reading: Numbers 25-26
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).
Salt deposits are abundant in the Dead Sea, which is 10 times more salty than ocean water. In the background, the sun is setting on the mountains of Moab in Jordan.
Key Verse: Numbers 25:3
So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.
Just across the salt deposits pictured above was Moab. The Israelite men committed adultery with Moabite women. The idea was simple. If Balaam could not curse Israel, then the plan was to corrupt them and God would have to punish them. Sexual sin was followed by the Israelite men joining the Midianite women in worshipping their gods. The curse of yet another plague came on Israel and 24,000 of the people of Israel died. Severe judgment came on the people of Midian and Balaam himself was killed by the sword (Numbers 31:8). The effects of Balaam’s far-reaching influence was still felt 1,500 years later. Revelation 2:14 tells us that it was Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the Children of Israel by introducing sexual immorality and participation in idol worship. The doctrine of Balaam was still believed and practised by some in the Church in Pergamos. The Lord tells this Church to repent or He will judge them severely.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as You revealed sin in the churches of the Revelation, reveal to me any sin in my life, and I ask for the grace of true repentance. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As a boy, I read John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.” My imagination was captivated by a sketch of Pilgrim turning aside from his journey to the Celestial City to spend time in “Vanity Fair.” I thought, “No, no, Pilgrim. Don’t go there! You will risk never making it to the Celestial city. The pleasures of sin are destructive.” I had no radio or TV, only books, and my imagination was more powerful than any pictures a movie director could create. I still see that picture of Pilgrim and I cringe at the memory. I’ve just read Proverbs 2:10-22. The writer may have been thinking of the story in today’s reading. Proverbs 2:18, “Her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead.” Surely this was the experience of the men of Israel with the Midianite women.
Yours for a single-minded pursuit of the “Celestial City,”
David
P.S.
In the photo below taken at the Jordan River, I’m about to baptize Michael T. Wall, a well-known country singer from Newfoundland. Earlier in the day in a barber shop on the Golan Heights, the barber brought up on his TV screen one of Michael’s favourite songs. The results were hilarious! Perhaps I can share more about it in my next blog.
One of my favourite photos–being baptized in the Jordan River. God, Your love for us is so great–shining as the risen sun through our Saviour Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to have the trinity–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oh Lord God, we lift up our hearts to You, today, and give You praise and thanks for all that is well in our world. We pray for all the needs of the saints, today. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen, amen, and amen.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NIV
What a friend we have in Jesus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SCorW9r_Is
Pilgrim’s Progress is a good teaching that could lead people to the bible.Here is a more contemporary version of this classic which I will watch later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ys2JxB-bgc
I watched this older movie some time ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_era9MKeZAY
Hope you are blessed by this.
Thank you Beverlee gor your beautiful words and one of my favourite songs. I continued playing several more and was truly blessed.
You are a inspiration to all of us. Blessings to all who read this blog, and most all to Ron and Ann who continue to post it daily. Not forgetting Reynold’s wonderful pictures.
Hope you are recuperating well Irene and that everything is ok with you Ger. Eleanor M.
Yes Eleanor! Our dear sister Beverlee sure is an inspiration to us all! So many have commented on this blog of their appreciation for her postings here. May God bless you, Beverlee and continue to use you to bless us!
May you all have a wonderful day in the Lord!
Well said Eleanor M.
Amen Eleanor!!
Wow–I am just so touched by your love and appreciation for me–Eleanor, Luisa, Irene, all the saints. It was so special for me to read this just now and I am rather blown away by it. God sure works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he? He knows when we all need support from each other. You and the blog are my strength. I thank you for all you give to me and I am honoured to be your sister-in-Christ on this blog. God’s blessings on all of you, today.
“Bless the Lord Oh my Soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. The first line of one of my favorite songs which lifts your spirit up in heavenly places. Amen? Thank you Eleanor for your concern. Saturday I was raking, scooping and snowblowing here and have church twice on Sunday but kept up my reading. Sure looks like winter here but God is good. Thanks for the good posts. Blessings, Ger
Dear sister, Ger, praying that God sends Angels to help with all your needs at your house and gives you love and peace and joy for each new day.
All is well here…Thank you Eleanor M. for asking! I’m still having difficulty with shortness of breath; but trust that the Lord will deliver me from that problem.
Bless your day all bloggers!
Dear sister, Irene–praying for the Holy Spirit breath of life to come through your lungs and heal your shortness of breath. May your day be filled with all that is beautiful and bright for God loves you so!
Bless you Beverlee for your prayer!! I know the Lord hears and answers!
What a beautiful picture ! Thank you Reynold.:)