UNITY

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; Psalms 133:1-2

We, as a people, can be very rebellious and headstrong.  What an act of love our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us to mature us.

The ointment on Aaron's head represents the anointing of God's Holy Spirit.  It is pictured as flowing into his beard.  Children can't grow beards, only those who are mature.

Heavenly Father, You love us so much!  You are maturing us into an awesome body of believers, without strife or contention, so that we may be of one mind and one accord.  It truly is good and pleasant when the brethren dwell together in unity.

FOOT WASHING

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  John 13:14 

Does this mean literally? 

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." "No," Peter protested, "You will never ever wash my feet!" Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to Me."  John 13:6-8

Scripture says that Jesus always spoke in parables.  1 Corinthians 15:46 says first the natural then the spiritual.

Dust = flesh/carnal nature

Feet = our walk

Water = the Word

Foot washing is a parable of using the Word of God to wash away the dirt that we accumulate as we walk through our daily lives and interact with the things of the world.  As we speak words of truth to the brethren, we are able to cleanse our minds from the lies that would otherwise settle into our thoughts and conversations.

The Sovereign LORD has given us His words of wisdom, so that we know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens us and opens our understanding to His will.  Isaiah 50:4  Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4

Heavenly Father, we pray for the wisdom and understanding that we need to skillfully use Your Word to comfort, correct, encourage, instruct and refresh.  

DARK TO LIGHT

And the LORD (Yahweh) said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:  Exodus 10:21-22

Egypt represents the world.

During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived in the land of Goshen.  Exodus 10:23

The name Goshen means "drawing near."  And that is the answer to escaping the darkness.  Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.  James 4:8

Jesus (Yahshua) said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."  John 8:12 

May the light of the Risen Savior shine into your life. He will be the light to guide you through the dark days ahead.

PASSOVER, 1528 B.C.

The children of Israel were in bondage to the harsh taskmasters of Egypt and God was about to set them free.  After nine devastating plagues of judgment, the tenth and final one was poised to fall upon the unrepentant Pharaoh and his people.

To all who would listen, both Israelite and Egyptian alike, there was a promise of protection.  The requirement was to remain in their home, self-quarantined, and to place the blood of a lamb on their doorposts.  

Passover, 2020.  The majority of the world is on self-quarantine as major pandemic travels around the globe.  The parallels are interesting.

Have you claimed the blood of Jesus Christ, the risen savior, over the doorposts of your heart and mind?  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  John 3:16-17 KJV

DON'T MURMUR

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  1 Corinthians 10:10 KJV

In the wilderness, the children of Israel murmured continually against God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt.  They wanted to go back to a life that was familiar to them.  They grumbled instead of rejoicing in their freedom.

God is once again delivering His people from bondage.  The Babylonian system that has held us captive is being destroyed.  The result will be our freedom, but the life we walk into will be very different than the one we know today.  Trust God.  He will provide for every need, just as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness.

And don't complain, but rejoice in the knowledge that God has a perfect plan and victory is guaranteed.

Lord, please give me eyes to see beyond these present circumstances.  Deliver me from the fear of the unknown.  Let my confidence and hope rest in You alone.

LISTEN

Listen to the words of the LORD who created you, who formed you in your mother's womb, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."  Isaiah 43:1-2

If the enemy comes with thoughts of fear, take those thoughts captive and reflect on the knowledge that you are precious in God's sight and He loves you.  What can be more comforting!  God has called you by name.  He knows you and He has redeemed you at a great cost.  He will never let you go.

LORD, let the cares of this world fall by the wayside as I walk in Your glorious light.  Thank you for the revelation of Your loving care.  Thank You for Your promises and the hope that they bring.

GIDEON'S ARMY

Judges 7.  How we are chosen.

Gideon started out with 32,000 troops to go to war with the Midianites.  God said it was too many.  Send away the fearful and afraid.  That left him with 10,000.  And God said, "still too many."  The warriors were selected by how they handled the water (Word).  Some dropped to their knees and put their face in the water others dipped their hand into the water to bring it up to their mouth.  

It was the ones who were alert and watchful, discerning of what they were drinking and not the ones who buried their faces and drank indiscriminately that were chosen.

So it is today.  We can't swallow everything and please God.

Lord, I chose not to be fearful or afraid.  I will handle Your Word responsibly and encourage others.  I will not be careless with Your precious Word.  You have called me to a higher standard.  Don't let me bring shame to Your holy name.