A STIFF NECK
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 29-30
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Hyrax, also known as a rock badger, lives on rocks all around Israel. This one was photographed in the Ein Gedi reserve on the shore of the Dead Sea. It is described in today’s reading as “little on the earth,” but “exceedingly wise” (Proverbs 30:24, 26).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 29:1
He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Two kings of Israel, Saul and David, were both rebuked…Saul by Samuel and David by Nathan. Saul was as one who “hardens his neck,” becoming stubborn and unwilling to change. David’s reaction was not to try to justify himself as Saul did, but to repent and change his ways. Saul’s attitude resulted in the loss of his position and eventually his very life. David’s response, “I have sinned against the Lord,” resulted in forgiveness and restoration. We may want to read the words David wrote to describe his repentance. They are found in Psalm 51.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, when I’m made aware of sin in my life or am corrected in some way by one of Your servants, may I not make excuses and stubbornly continue going my own way, but may I receive the grace of repentance, turn around, and go Your way. I pray that I will keep a gentle spirit and always be ready to receive a rebuke from You or from someone You send to confront me. I ask for Your restoration in the Name of Jesus, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My first encounter with a rock badger was in company with my two sons, Reynold, my photographer for the blog, and Ron, who formats and posts the blog. We were back-packing in Israel in 1978, and as we climbed over the rocks descending Mt. Carmel, there was a little creature looking at us for a moment. He (or she), according to Scripture, is “exceedingly wise,” and darted under a large rock for protection from these three large creatures who were approaching. Proverbs says that they are “a feeble folk.” They are called “people” in the original King James Version. It occurs to me that when anything appears too big for me to handle, I need to scurry under the Rock of God’s safety. Psalm 61:2b reminds me that “When my heart is overwhelmed,” I need to pray, “Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”
Yours for “exceedingly wise” counsel from God’s Word,
David
P.S. The old hymn says, “Hiding in Thee. Hiding in Thee. O thou blest Rock of Ages I’m hiding in Thee” (click here for a recording of this great hymn).
Dear Beverlee,
I’m sorry to hear of your pinched nerve. It is a painful thing and I am praying for you and Bill (Marshall)
What a great idea for us all to join in prayer at the same time. Whenever possible, I will pray at 8 pm for all bloggers and their requests. I encourage everyone to do the same. Please, let’s make a difference in others’ lives by our intercession!
Here are some requests that I would ask everyone to pray for:
– 22-year-old Shawn is suffering from depression and has suicidal thoughts
– Cindy has breast cancer and will be having surgery on December 16
– Melanie is 6-months pregnant and they have found aggressive breast cancer
Thank you for your prayers on behalf of these dear ones
Dear SAH,
Thank you for your caring heart . I do pray for you and your concerns. God bless you!
May you all sense His wonderful presence today!
Amen.
Amen Luisa
Amen
Dear Luisa
thank you for your prayers; Lord hear our prayers; we ask Lord that You would bless Shawn,Cindy and Melanie; Lord You know these precious people,You know their hearts; I ask Lord that You would bring healing to Shawn,Cindy and Melanie; I pray that Your Name would be glorified as Healer of all Healers; I thank You Lord that we live in Canada and have freedom of worship; I pray Lord that the Holy Spirit would cover our country and put into each person’s heart the Spirit of Love, Forgiveness,Thankfulness;Laughter,Healing,Kindness and Truthfulness, Thank You Lord for all the blessings of this day;
In Jesus Name we Pray amen
Yes, Luisa, I agree with you that Beverlee has a wonderful suggestion. I want to join you ladies as often as I possibly can at 8:00 p.m. to pray and intercede for others. Praying today regarding your pinched nerves, Beverlee and Bill. And also for these other precious folk you have presented to us this morning, Luisa – Shawn Melanie and Cindy. My heart goes out to all. I ask also for prayer personally, that when I go on Monday to hear the results of my thyroid biopsy, that it will be good news. I also have upcoming tests on Dec. 17th and 20th, for a liver ultrasound and a CT scan of my thorax. Ever since they found the mass in my ovary and then removed it, the medical people have been checking me over thoroughly, for which I am thankful. But my ultimate trust and faith and hope are in my Redeemer and my Healer. Blessings in abundance to all.
Deanna;
Lord we pray that You will head Deanna’s body from head to toe! We pray Lord that all her cells will be healthy; we pray and Thank You Lord that You have healed Deanna; we thank you that the ultrasound on her liver will show a healthy liver; we pray that the CT scan on her thorax will also show completely healed; we praise and thank you Lord for this healing; we pray Deanna will live a long happy healthy life;that she will be a very strong person in the Lord and will lead everyone she meets to You Lord; that she will pray for others and we will also pray for her; we Thank you Lord for this opportunity to “talk” with each other through the internet, Thank You Lord amen amen amen
Dear Sah, thank you so much for your beautiful, faith-filled prayer for me, it moved me greatly. I am so very thankful for you and everyone who is part of this blog. I have been feeling a bit anxious but can and will face these tests in full confidence and trust in the Lord. I pray that He bless you and continue to use you in great ways, and meet all your needs in the coming days.
Sounds like a great idea Beverlee. I will join when I can as well. Eight 0’clock ON time will be 9pm Atlantic time. Am overwhelmed when I think of it what this prayer time can mean. Sorry to hear about your back problems Beverlee and William. Are you suggesting we start tonight Beverlee? My deep concern is for my home church be renewed and God’s will be done. Also for family salvation and my general health be restored.
Dear Father, thank You for your abiding presence in our lives – the Life we have in You. Thank You for all your people. Together, we are your church, the temple of your Holy Spirit, and as we follow and obey You, we hold back, confront and fight against the evil in this world. Please strengthen all your people, your workers and your leaders in this fight. Help each one to be faithful to You and your Word.
We ask that You meet the physical and temporal needs of all your people. Please also help those who don’t yet know You to hear your voice calling them to You. Turn their hearts to You, Lord, and help them to recognize and heed the call of You, the Good Shepherd. And for those who have heard of You, but haven’t yet put their trust in You, we ask You, Lord, to bring them into the valley of decision, where they will be confronted with the vital importance of Truth and Life itself. Also the backsliders, Lord; have mercy on them, and as John Bunyan wrote of in his “Pilgrim’s Progress”, keep bringing your children back to the path You have for them, which leads to Life eternal.
Guide us, Lord, and keep us in your care. Help us to be of the best possible use to You, we ask in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen
Amen Rob
Amen! Thank you again, Rob, for posting your prayers.
Agreeing with you in prayer Rob.
Amen
8 oclock is a perfect time for me.
Please pray for my nice Samantha brother Joey sister in law Pina and Samantha daughter Vienna.
Samantha is have mental problems.
For my unsaved family and friends.
Reinhard Bonnke has gone to be with the Lord today. He had 77 million recorded acceptance of Jesus (mostly in Africa). Amazing. He was very happy that the Lord brought Daniel Lolenda to carry the mantle. He has worked with Reinhard for about 9 yrs. Thank You Lord for Reinhard’s ministry & for Daniel’s willingness to follow Your direction. Bless Daniel, guide & mightily use him in reaching many, many, more lost souls. Amen