BALAAM
Today’s Reading: Numbers 23-24
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).
The Grave of Oskar Schindler is in Jerusalem just south of the Zion Gate on the south side of the Old City wall. Stones are placed on the graves by visitors and loved ones as a sign of respect in lieu of flowers.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Schindler saved the lives of many Jewish people during the Second World War. He was buried in a Gentile graveyard in Jerusalem with honour. The descendants of those he saved come annually to place stones of remembrance on his grave. Israel honours those who have honoured them. Balaam was one such person. Moses wrote Balaam’s story and prophecies in Holy Scripture. We believe that God is, and that “He is a rewarder of those who dilligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). If necessary, God will speak in most unusual ways, as in the case of Balaam’s donkey. There are others, not from the chosen people, to whom God has spoken. Cornelius, commanding officer of the Italian regiment of the armies of Rome, is a prime example (Acts 10). We’ll arrive at the story of this outstanding man on December 1st. Numbers 21:17 encourages the singing of “Spring Up, Oh Well” (click here to sing along to a ukelele rendition of the song).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Speak to me today, Lord God; I need to hear from You. You did it for Balaam, and dozens of others throughout the Bible record. I’m listening. Lord Jesus, You said, “My sheep know My voice.” Thanks for not restricting Your voice only to spiritual giants but also to us average people. I pray this and praise You for revealing Your thoughts to me. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In Jerusalem people say, “Pray… it’s a local call from here.” God has spoken most often in that “still small Voice.” There was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me during the last ditch effort by U.S. President Carter to save the Camp David Accords, the peace agreement between President Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Begin of Israel. I was one of hundreds of reporters with credentials to cover Carter’s speech in the Israeli Parliament in 1978. Carter said, while looking directly at Begin, “The people want peace.” In other words, “Begin, you don’t really want peace.” Carter walked off the stage, requested Air Force One readied and his bags taken from the Hotel to the airport. Buses gathered to transport the reporters to cover Carter’s departure. My associate, Jay Rawlings, and I stayed behind where we were approached by two live radio hosts, one Jew and one Arab. They asked, “Do you think there will be peace?” (it was translated into Arabic and Hebrew). Suddenly I heard God speak through me. Balaam knew what this was like. I said, “Yes, for the first time leaders of three different countries and three different religions prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He has heard the prayers of many people and there will be peace between Egypt and Israel.” There is power over the evil in the world through a prophetic utterance. Carter stayed behind, went again to Egypt. The rest is history. Many years later, I had the privilege of working beside Carter in a Habitat for Humanity building project. I wept as I told him this story. He patted me on the back and said, “There, there.”
Yours for hearing from God and speaking, while praying for wisdom, what God wants out there in the fight against evil and for the good of all His people,
David
P.S. Below is a photo of one of the groups Norma-Jean and I led to Israel touring the land of the Bible! This photo was taken on the Mount of Beattitudes.
Oh, amen–so very moved this morning, thinking of Oskar Schindler and all the beautiful Jewish people who lost their lives and loved ones so painfully. The difference between good and evil, so very evident, and yet not something we will fully grasp an understanding of until we meet our Maker in heaven. Blessings dearest saints in the Lord.
Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Psalm 36:5 NLT
Fierce – Jesus Culture (Song Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc4DHqmKmHg
Amen!
Amen, Beverlee!
Good morning fellow bloggers. I have to catch up in my readings. So read yesterday’s and today’s. God is good, He is really opening up the scriptures for me.
I want to thank you for those who prayed for our trip to Fl. We arrived safely. I was hesitant in asking for prayers before we left but I am so glad I listened and asked. We were not an hour and a half from home, still in Canada,when out of nowhere a big buck was on a collision course with the front of our car. It was by the grace of God with precision timing an accident was prevented. I immediately thanked God for protecting us. Had that buck come through the windshield, it would have been tragic. A couple of miles before this happened I was praising God and thanking Him for those who said you would pray for us.
My husband was mildly wound up after that episode but I was totally calm . On my lap was our new 5 1/2 month old puppy, who by the way made the trip perfectly. She basically slept the whole way.
I want to shout from the rooftops “God is good”.
Thank you David, for getting up everyday and doing this blog. It is wonderful to share Gods word with other Christian brothers and sisters.
We serve a great God.
Praise God for His goodness and mercy and for hearing and answering the prayers of His people!!
Thank you Nan for sharing this praise report!!! God is soooo good!!!
Such a wonderful blessing and evidence of God’s mercy through prayer and praise as a result of this blog. Our God is good–amen! We thank Him for watching over you. Your constant praise of Him beforehand was the means of prevention, dear Nan, rest assured.
That’s what I was thinking Beverlee Kay. You know, I specifically asked prayer for the windshield. That deer would have been right through it.
We also had a good Christian radio station on.
I can hardly wait to meet Jesus face to face, but in His time.
Does anyone else get a silly, happy grin on their face when you think of Jesus? I do all the time.
Blessings to all.
Praise God for your safe travels protected by angels all the way. Enjoy your warm weather, sounds like Canada is in for a good cold winter. Blessings thank you for the praise. God is so good
What a good-looking group. What a wonderful experience. So glad we went with you.
Praise God for this daily manna: And bless you Pastor David for your faithfulness in waking early each morning to present this daily bread to us! God Bless you and all who work together to get this blog out to us daily!!
Have a blessed day one and all!!
Thank you again Pastor David for the daily manna of the word of God and God bless everyone amen