Finding gems in God's Word
Moses wrote these words to the children of Israel, but more importantly to the priesthood: “You must serve.” [Num 18:7] End of discussion. Simple command and no questions are to be asked. Jesus said in his closing statements: “Go and make disciples.” Simple command. No questions asked or answered.
Where are we not obeying these simple commands? What is the result of disobedience? And…what is the result of obedience?
Something to think about today.
You must be sure to obey my statutes. I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
You must be sure to obey all my statutes and regulations, so that the land to which I am about to bring you to take up residence does not vomit you out
God demands holiness and we are bidden to obey. God reminded the Israelites of these regulations so that they would remain pure and a holy people. What has God demanded of us? We are to be a holy people as well. As we look about at our nation and read these verses we see evidence we are not a holy people. Today take a few minutes and read these passages again and repent of any thing that God has said it should not be. Over and over Moses recorded these words: “I am the Lord.” And He is our Lord as well.
God gave Moses these chapters so that the priesthood and the people would know and understand the way to be holy. Moses recorded this for the nation of Israel that there be no misunderstanding. God is holy and He has called them to Himself to be a holy people.
It is interesting to read about the scapegoat, how it was chosen, how used and the reasons. One goat was to be offered as a sin offering and the second to be sent into the wilderness. Dr Constable’s notes explain: “The two goats used in the ritual represented two aspects of the atonement that God provided. Both animals taught the Israelites that a sinless agent was removing their sins by vicarious atonement. The goat slain represented the judgment on sin that resulted in death necessary for atonement. The goat sent off into the wilderness with the sinner’s guilt imputed to it symbolized the removal of guilt.”
This was a ceremony to be etched into the minds of the people of the price sin exacts. How grateful I am that Jesus paid the price for my sin that I don’t have to follow these regulations, but also the heavy price my sin costs…not a goat, but the precious blood of my Savior.
The Tabernacle is finished but as it stands it is just a building and buildings are to be used for the glory of the Lord so now we see the purpose and how it is to be used. God speaks to Moses about its purpose and the way it will remind people of their need for holiness. The building as such is a place for the people to come to know God in a personal way and how He wanted the people to understand the cost of their sin so each offering points to the price that must be paid. What is the price we pay for our sin? Beloved, the price has been paid by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but not so for the Israelites long ago. Thus, God outlines the types of offerings and how and the why. All of this points forward to the time when Christ will be the perfect Lamb that was slain for our sin.
The people were to choose wisely the offering for their sin whether it be a lamb or a grain offering. No matter what, the cost was high and this reminded the people of their sin and what it cost. Today as we offer our gifts to the Lord, we want to remember the price paid for our sin on that cruel cross so long ago.
Job and Man’s Destiny
Recently a man placed himself in a frozen state upon his death so that his body might be “resurrected” when the science develops the way to thaw him. Guess what? He is still frozen and he is still dead and even Job realized that once man dies, he is dead, dead. “Since man’s days are determined, the number of his months is under your control; you have set his limit, and he cannot pass it.” So says God and Job.
When men begin to think they can operate like God, they are doomed. Even Job realized that truth. Job also recognized that men are not like trees. If they are cut down the root remains and with water and proper nourishment, they are “resurrected” to live again. How stupid is man! Only one man has lived, died and was resurrected to new life and that man was Jesus! Job knew this principle: But man dies and is powerless; he expires—and where is he? And that is the question men must answer. Luke 16 tells the story of two men who lived and died. One went to Paradise and the other to Torments. One chose the way of eternity with God and the other an eternity of hell. Now is the day for men to decide which place they will enter upon death. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Choose the Lord and obey Him so you will be blessed upon your departure.
What is your decision about death? Where will you end up on your deathbed?
Revelation 19 Hallelujah!
John sees and records the vision of the last of the wickedness wrought by the evil one.Listen to what John hears: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous.
We just spent a month preparing for Christmas but the greatest gift we could bestow on our Lord are these words that John recorded. John also saw the end of the wicked ones as they are thrown into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels/demons. Stay true beloved and stay strong as you look forward to the end of all of Satan’s ways.
John adds this to our prayers for today: “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.”
Revelation 10 Just another day…
We have watched the Apostle John as he has experienced the heavens opened and the crowd of believers and martyrs, but now John has an experience that only he and the angelic forces know about for he was told to seal the contents.
The newspapers of today write about what has happened and forecasts what they presume will happen tomorrow and beyond. As our biblical editor, John has now viewed something out of the ordinary and it is not ‘just another day” in paradise. It is frightening to behold the angel and hear the seven thunders and finally a voice saying seal this up, just as Daniel was told. We wonder if the scroll he was told to eat was the same scroll that others had seen and tasted.
The angel is majestic and mighty. He has a rainbow around his head and his legs are like fire. Imagine seeing this in real time. It isn’t “just another day.” It is a day that God wants us to see and to wonder about.
What has your day been like? Have you had a vision like John? Probably not, but we are to observe and ponder. Are we ready for the contents to be revealed or is it “just another day” to you?
Revelation7 Our Good Shepherd
The Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
What a marvelous promise to those who have faced the threats and wicked ways of the satanic kingdom. They lived in terror, but the Lord has surrounded them after their martydom and given them peace and a new robe of righteousness. They now live in the embrace of the true Shepherd of their souls. Just as the psalmist wrote, they will be led by the Good Shepherd to the springs of living water. They will feed on the green pastures and lie down in peace.
Do you know the Good Shepherd? He is waiting to shepherd you to the springs of living water just like the Samaritan woman found and drank from it. Have you drunk from the springs of living water? Come and drink and let Him quench your thirst.
Revelation 3 Listening?
To each church, Jesus has said: he who has an ear had better listen. What should they listen for and what are we to be listening for?
To the church at Sardis they should listen to the warning Jesus has for them. The society around them thinks they are alive in their Christian faith, but Jesus says they are dead. What is dead in that church? It is their deeds. They look like they are serving God but in reality they are grumbling, backbiting, lying and other sins. Jesus says wake up! Make your deeds worth something in my eyes. All is not lost however as there are some there who are dressed in white symbolizing purity.
In contrast the church at Philadelphia has no condemnation. Jesus had given them an open door to go and minister and no one can shut it. One of the marks of this church is their steadfastness under duress. But,Jesus reminds them to persevere lest they lose that purity and their crown.
And then there is the church at Laodicea which is dead dead dead. However, they don’t realize that this their case. They think they have done all they need to do and have all the requirements necessary. Jesus says, come and buy gold from me so you can stand strong in times of persecution. Are they listening? Seems not! Jesus reminds them that He is coming soon and they need to be ready when He knocks at their door.
Are we listening? Are we prepared?
Revelation 1 Behold He is coming soon
Over and over Jesus prepared his disciples with wisdom and knowledge that they might tell the good news: Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. All of these precious disciples suffered and died but John alone has remained and it is he that has received this vision to share with us, the reader.
John begins by reminding us of this: to be blessed is to take this Word and share it with those who have not heard. John writes: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Are we watching for His return knowing that with God a day on our calendar is like a thousand years in His sight. Are we just reading these words to fill our minds or are we reading it so we know the plan of God for us?
As this book begins we are given a glimpse into our Lord in all of His majesty. What will you do with this vision? Will you meditate on the beauty and glory of our risen Savior?
Challenge for December: read and choose one thought to meditate on for that day. Share that thought with someone so they might receive a blessing too because behold, He, our risen Savior is coming soon.