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.
Oh, how I love the photos of the blog, today! My desire has always been to be baptized in the Jordan River. Praying for all saints, this morning. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen, amen, and amen.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV
Love is the Anchor, Greg Sczebel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IY8BO6KjiQ
Amen! Beverlee thank you for posting the link…sound poor on “Love is the Anchor” but was able to click on
“Christ Alone” and join in praise and worship!! How precious is Our Lord Jesus Christ!!!
Sorry about the sound sister Irene! God’s continued blessings to you!!
Thank you for your prayers, my husband is still in hospital, but he is now able to walk. He expects to get out of hospital by mid week.
I am still waiting for a diagnosis for my son. It’s been 7 weeks since my daughter had her whiplash, and she is still not able to work.
I really appreciate my blog family, I pray for you, and thank you David for you and your family, who bring this blog to us?
I have been enjoying. “Til the Storm Passes By”. Sorry I can’t give you a link, I’m computer challenged!!! God Bless you all.
Great song, Mary!!
‘Til the Storm Passes By, Gaithers Gospel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpr5HPyI4z8
Beverlee, Thanks you for posting the hymn. I appreciate you doing that for me. Glad you like it.
Yes, Great Song!
Our Father in Heaven, I pray for Mary & her family today. Lift up her spirit as she encourages herself in the Lord. Your Word encourages us: “I will love Thee, O Lord, MY strength. The Lord is MY Rock, (the solid foundation of my life. When all collapses around me I will still BE STANDING ON THE ROCK OF AGES), and MY fortress (place of protection against the enemy), and MY deliverer; MY God, MY strength, and MY high tower (the righteous run into it). I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised..( (Psalm 18:1-3a). (The whole chapter is great. See vs.29-, “For by Thee I have run THROUGH a troop; and by MY God have I LEAPED over a wall.” Thank you, my God, who helps us break through all barriers and gives us faith to leap over any difficulty or hindrance in our path” …For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle.” (vs39). Lord,, continue the healing process in Mary’s husband as he gradually recuperates and returns home. Undergird her as anxiously waits for the diagnosis for her son and stands along side of her daughter who suffers from whiplash. Lord, we are reminded that you are with us, you love us and are accomplishing your perfect plan through all circumstances of Life..strengthening us, helping us and holding us. (Isaiah 41:10). All, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Redeemer, Lover of our souls.
Our Father in Heaven, I pray for Mary & her family today. Lift up her spirit as she encourages herself in the Lord. Your Word encourages us: “I will love Thee, O Lord, MY strength. The Lord is MY Rock, (the solid foundation of my life. When all collapses around me I will still BE STANDING ON THE ROCK OF AGES), and MY fortress (place of protection against the enemy), and MY deliverer; MY God, MY strength, and MY high tower (the righteous run into it). I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised..( (Psalm 18:1-3a). (The whole chapter is great. See vs.29-, “For by Thee I have run THROUGH a troop; and by MY God have I LEAPED over a wall.” Thank you, my God, who helps us break through all barriers and gives us faith to leap over any difficulty or hindrance in our path” …For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle.” (vs39). Lord,, continue the healing process in Mary’s husband as he gradually recuperates and returns home. Undergird her as anxiously waits for the diagnosis for her son and stands along side of her daughter who suffers from whiplash. Lord, we are reminded that you are with us, you love us and are accomplishing your perfect plan through all circumstances of Life..strengthening us, helping us and holding us. (Isaiah 41:10). All, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Redeemer, Lover of our souls.
PS
Love the song, ’till the storm passes by”. I was blessed by it today and proven in my life. There is also a Scripture which says, “God is IN the storm” with us…but it will pass by..and the sunshine of God’s love will overwhelm us with praise and gratitude. Thanks Beverley for posting this song. I truly appreciate your prayers and songs you are able to resurrect. God has blessed you with many gifts…that is a blessing to so many..especially to the ‘blog family’. Blessings to all bloggers, to David. You are looking so good. May God’s healing process continue in your life. In thinking about you today, I remember the name of a booklet that has always been a great help to, especially, the Title, “Be YOUSELF and GOD’S”, He is doing everything He wants to do in and through your life.
oops, duplicate posting…sorry..maybe God just wanted to repeat Himself…
God bless you, dear Samuel!
Thank you Samuel for your beautiful prayer. I am agreeing with you for healing of Mary’s family.
May GOD continue to be with you and your family Mary. May GOD bless you as HE takes care of each one of you.
Beautiful photo sunset over the Dead Sea: The photo of the water baptism at the Jordan River brings back memories of my sons
Peter (12) and Emil(9) being baptized there during out visit in 1975.
Looking forward to your next blog where you may be able to share more about Michael T Wall!
Number’s isn’t the easiest scriptures to read; however, they do exemplify God’s faithfulness: His intolerance of sin and His Love for His people!!!
Thank you Mary Kay for posting the song till the storm passes by I’ve heard it before and it and it really has blessed me and my prayers are with you Mary and my fellow bloggers may you all have a great day and God bless you amen
Oops sorry about that I meant to say Beverly K not Mary Kay thanks again amen
Thanks, David, for explaining Bible passages so well, and with added references. At your honourable age, still doing long range planning ( teaching wise ) ! No idling ! I was a bit puzzled with Balaam and Balak ‘s missions. The reference to revelation and the comment helped a lot. I sure would like to know the geography of Israel as you know it, the areas and villages
encountered through the readings. been there only once.
Thanks for strong christian living messages. God bless you enormously.