“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( I Thessalonians 5:11).
Often times encouragement is better than criticism. Perhaps for a glimpse one could look at Moses’s troubles while leading a restless nation through the wilderness. At one point Moses took in a wife from a foreign nation, a practice long frowned upon by the Israelites. Given this custom the disquiet could be expected. For those in the crowd this was another opportunity to further agitate against Moses whom they had already accused of bad leadership.
However, there were those closer to Moses, like his siblings Aron and Miriam who could have acted differently. Instead they joined the bandwagon. “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite” ( Numbers12: 1). Using this as an opportunity to vent their simmering opposition, they went further, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” ( vv 2).
The Lord took note of it. He came out and rebuked Aaron and Miriam, quite strongly. “Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” ( vv 8). Miriam was struck with terrible leprosy and Moses had to plead for her sake. The Lord replied, “Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back” ( vv 14-15).
Are you close to a situation where you notice certain concerns. That is not bad. But perhaps other than being quick to judge and criticise you may make it a point to be an encourager.
And, even more, why not choose to pray! That could yield more positive results than being of a negative and critical tongue.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, make me an encourager other than one who dwells in negative and hurtful talk, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
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18/05/2024 - 19/05/2024 All day“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Perhaps one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible with enduring lessons is where Moses pleads to Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Instead Pharaoh dared Moses if he had the power as that of a king. Challenged to “perform a miracle” Moses turned to Aaron who threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7: 9-12).
What we see here is the presence of occult powers in high places, as is true even today. A common mistake by some is to deny the existence of the occult behind certain thrones or power centers, especially in instances where we find those putting on a genteel manner of social respectability. There are also those who through their education and confined exposure to the spirit realm of things, doubt the existence of occult powers. The reality is that in the world we live in the enemy is much at work. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In this passage we see that while Pharaoh did release his snakes the staff God had placed in the hands of his messenger, Moses, was far greater and swallowed all. Here is the point. As believers we do have a far greater and mighty power to protect us from any attacks of the enemy. It is the blood of the lamb. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11).
Today whatever snakes you may encounter from anywhere be assured that you have a far greater power than of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus. As His word says, “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy by the blood of the lamb, this I pray in Jesus’name.
