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.
Thanking You Jesus, for the grace You grant us. In Your mighty Name, we pray. Amen. Holding saints up in prayer, this morning: for Joseph and Luisa, Doreen and Edward, Ger, Irene, Teresa–all who are in need. May God’s love and peace be with and comfort you, today. Amen.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This song was ringing through my ears, this morning…
So Will I (100 Billion X) Lyric Video – Hillsong Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyYn21RdBBQ
Amen Beverlee; great worship song thank you for posting it.
Thank you for your prayer. I pray the LORD will keep you safe in the Palm of His Hand this day and always.
Thank you sister Irene. You are so sweet. God bless you.
Thank you Beverlee
You are welcome
Thank you for your prayer Beverlee.
Please prayer for my niece Vienna
she is 9 yrs. old in grade 4 and is
having dificult time with school.
Thank You, Lord, that Your mercies are new every morning. Please give all Your people the grace to live and speak and do what is pleasing to You, and may Your Word fall on receptive hearts today.
Help the Americans heed the thoughts of Abraham Lincoln, that a nation conceived in liberty shall long endure on the Earth. Please keep them from hedonism and lawlessness, we pray in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen to your prayer for a peaceful reality to set in for the United States in transition. We pray for Your grace Jesus. Amen.
Thank you Beverlee for the song I played it several times. Agreeing with Rob for peace in the U.S. situation. Blessings to all today during this very difficult time. What ever we face, Jesus will never leave us – He’s closer than a brother. Praying for a large group of Christians from Muslim backgrounds who are facing possible deportation to their country of origin from Canada. They say that they will face death if sent back. Praying also for my son who has a very important meeting today – that the Lord will speak through him & He will be glorified, in Jesus Name, Amen
Hope everything went well with your son Doreen. Eleanor M
Amen Eleanor M
Thank you Eleanor. I haven’t heard from him yet.
Beverlee:Thank you for your prayers for Edward he Is getting a bit better everyday. Loved that song, I feel I won’t look at the heavens In the same way again. What an awesome God we have Praise His Hioly Name.
Praying for you and the others you mentioned. Hope everyone stays safe as things are not getting better with the COVID 19. ♥️Eleanor M
Yes amen Eleanor M
Eleanor, I am feeling the same way–Covid seems to be getting much worse here in Canada.
Amen
Yes Amen Rob. May it be so Lord.
Thank you for your prayers this morning. Felt such sweet peace. God bless you and meet your needs as well. Prayers also for your son and the Christians you are praying for Doreen. May God’s will be done in the US. In Jesus Name. Amen!
I prayed David’s Prayer.
Yea, Lord I pray, protect us the evil that can so easily beset us. in Jesus Name I pray. Amen!
God’s blessing each one of you saints in this blog this day and always, Amen!
God Bless the Mainse family, in Jesus Name I pray, Amen!