Joshua 10
13 So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.
Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day. 14 There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!
When I read of the mighty miracles of God in the Scriptures, I cannot help but be moved. You see, the greatest miracle I have ever experienced is when, on August 27, 1985, God transformed this filthy, rotten pagan into a follower of Christ. Surely the Lord fought for me that day! I don’t want to diminish the miracles recorded in the Scriptures in any way whatsoever, but neither do I want to diminish what God did for me in the watery grave of baptism. And while the sun “stood still” one time to help Israel in the battle described in Joshua chapter 10, the Son does not stand still in His defense of me every day! Frankly, I see that as a far greater miracle. Because of Jesus I am blessed beyond any Old Testament miracle you can find. Those who have been baptized into Christ need to realize what a miracle has taken place, and we need to live our lives accordingly!
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Total Obedience
Numbers 20
1 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.
2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.
Moses, the powerful choleric leader let his temper get the best of him, and it cost him a chance to lead the people into the Promised Land. God told Moses to “speak to the rock,” but Moses got impatient with the people and “struck the rock twice with the staff” producing the water that the whiners wanted. When following God’s instructions, it is best to follow them exactly. You cannot add your own flair to it. That’s what freaks me out with the whole “pray Jesus into your heart” movement. It is a man-made misinterpretation of God’s clear plan of salvation! If Moses wasn’t allowed to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land because he didn’t fully obey God, how much more so can it be for those who do not teach what the Gospel teaches about salvation? How much more important is it then, for those of us who know what the Bible teaches to help those who do not know the rest of the story?
1 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.
2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.
Moses, the powerful choleric leader let his temper get the best of him, and it cost him a chance to lead the people into the Promised Land. God told Moses to “speak to the rock,” but Moses got impatient with the people and “struck the rock twice with the staff” producing the water that the whiners wanted. When following God’s instructions, it is best to follow them exactly. You cannot add your own flair to it. That’s what freaks me out with the whole “pray Jesus into your heart” movement. It is a man-made misinterpretation of God’s clear plan of salvation! If Moses wasn’t allowed to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land because he didn’t fully obey God, how much more so can it be for those who do not teach what the Gospel teaches about salvation? How much more important is it then, for those of us who know what the Bible teaches to help those who do not know the rest of the story?
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