These are the journeys of the children of Israel

.... who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 33:1). The Lord drew my attention to this passage this morning, and I was at first puzzled, because I had blogged on the literal truth of the Red Sea crossing on February 1 (see the post on philheathsblog.blogspot.com). Of course the World refutes the historicity of such events on a matter of principle, because in the eyes of the World miracles don't happen. But we know, that the world is caught in the snare of the Devil who as taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). And the Devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). But this morning, as I sit here typing, I have a sense of certainty as to the truth of the Scriptures that are proved over and over by research, secular and otherwise. Of course I don't believe everything that I read, I am not naive, but I have come to have confidence in the reliability and the truth of Scripture.

There are still many things that I don't understand, and there are many more things that I have yet to learn. But having said that, I am sitting here confident that the one who made a way through the sea for Israel (Isaiah 43:15, 16), this One is still on His throne. He is not caught by surprise, and He is using this attack of the enemy to waken His church, the body of all true believers, to cause us to rise up in faith, to take up the authority we have been given, and to trample on this caronavirus snake (Luke 10:19). But He is also wanting to reset His church, to bring us back to the fear of the Lord, to obedience, and to a zeal, to come against every sin and compromise and start a new journey in our lives. We are in the midst of a battle and we need to take up the breastplate of righteousness, His and our own practical righteousness (sanctification).

Paul tells us that the weapons of our warfare are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5). It's not just the coronavirus that needs to be defeated, it's also the strongholds of our society that has rejected God, and spread lies and confusion and chaos having, as I said been taken captive to do the enemies will. And the verse that has been on my heart for several days now is verse 6 which says “being being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” Clearly it is not the obedient being punished, so who is it who is being punished? It is the enemy, the snakes and scorpions, the principalities and powers the over which the Lord has given us authority. And we can trample them “when our obedience is complete.”

Father, in identification repentance I repent this morning for myself, and on behalf of Your Church. We have been so lukewarm Father, we have compromised left right and centre, we have allowed the values of the world to permeate Your church, bringing compromise and outright sin. Lord all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient (1 Corinthians 10:23). Please grant us repentance Father to turn from our wicked ways. Forgive us Lord, and heal our lands in Jesus Name Amen

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God

This morning's quote is from Luke 4:4. Jesus had been fasting for forty days, and then afterwards he was hungry (verse 2). Forty days is the time la healthy person can go without food without damaging their body. For much of the time during such a fast,  the appetite is suppressed, but then at the end, hunger comes "afterwards He was hungry." Most of us don't know hunger, but Jesus did, and Satan came to tempt Him saying “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (verse 2). The temptation here, is first and foremost to cause Jesus to doubt His identity, to doubt what God had told Him about who He is. In particular, immediately after His baptism, a voice had come from heaven saying, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased” (3:22). And Satan was inviting Jesus to question both His identity, and what God had said. There is much to say about identity, but we will save that for another time.

There are two words in Greek that are both translated “word” in English.  The first is logos, and for our purposes we can think of it as the objective word. Jesus tells us that God's Logos (the Bible) is truth, objective truth (John 17:17). The other word is rhama, it is the spoken word, the living word, it is the prophetic word. We have all had the experience of reading the Bible and a verse or passage standing out to us in some way. This is a Logos word becoming a rhama word as the Holy Spirit breathes on it. These days in writing this blog, for example, I am asking for a rhama word from the daily logos readings. In fact there were two such words that stood out to me this morning.  The other one was Luke 4:18 which is Jesus speaking His destiny to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free.  

My first inclination was to blog on the latter, since my heart is very much for the inner healing He promised in this verse. But in an early morning prayer meeting on line, a sister said something that pointed me to the first verse. This too was a rhama word. It was the phrase “look up, not down.” It had come through several independent sources in the last couple of days. And this was a rhama word of confirmation, a prophetic word, and a relevant word at this difficult time of the invasion of the caronavirus.

Father, I want to thank You again this morning for the earlier prophetic word from Chuck Pierce. The word was that there would be a plague like invasion that would test us through Passover,  and that we are not to look down at what we are about to go through, but that we should look up.  And if we keep our eyes looking us, we will make it through. Chuck then lead us in a prayer/declaration “Lord keep us looking up, and the snakes ahead will have no head.” Thank You Lord that You have given us authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and that this plague will not harm us (Luke 10:19). Thank You Lord that this is just one of the "every rhama words," that You are giving us to day to live by in Jesus Name Amen

My soul, wait silently for God alone

... For my expectation is from Him (Psalm 62:5). I knew from an early age that waiting is hard, waiting for the result of an operation of a loved one, waiting for the exam results we are sure we have blown, waiting for the approach of a gale we know for sure is coming, waiting for a loved one to come to the Lord, they are all hard. In the midst of a trial we just want it to be over, and in the midst of the waiting the default is to be anxious as we ponder the various negative outcomes. It is called worry, and worry is faith putting faith in the evil one, rather than in God. David had declared in verse 1 “Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my deliverance.”

In this first verse of the Psalm David is truly waiting on the Lord, resting in trust of deliverance. He is still and in silence resting in Him. But as I have often said, it is one thing to gain peace, and quite another to keep it. This is especially true when others around you are freaking out and stressed to the hilt over what is happening. And we are certainly in a time like this with everything shutting down out of fear of the caronavirus. But it's not just the virus, there is the fear of the loss of jobs, and financial security as the economy takes a hit. Fear and stress and panic are as infectious as the disease, and if we are not very careful we will allow the enemy to steal our hard won peace. And David, perhaps sensing this, instructs his soul in the verse at the head of this post. “Soul,” he says “wait silently for God alone.” He adds that his hope and expectation is of Him. The prophetic word at this time is to look up, not look down (see 17th post). David says twice in this Psalm “I shall not be greatly moved” (verses 2c, 6c).

Another translation of verse 5 puts it this way “Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him.” And having achieved it, David turns to minister to those around him saying “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (verse 8). It is good advice both for ourselves and for those we encounter at this time. God is shaking the heavens and the earth at this time. The evil one is seeking to overpower us in all of this, but again as David says “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God” (verse 11). The Hebrew poetry of the first part of this verse is stressing that this thing is truly true and so with David, we can truly wait for Him.

Father, what I am hearing from the global community at this time, is that while the enemy intends this for evil, You are using this to shake the nations. The enemy is trying to sabotage what You are trying to do, but as we determine to stand and having done all to stand Your are decapitating him. We are believing this is You preparing the globe for the prophesied billion soul harvest. Thank You Lord for the amazing prayer and fasting and repentance and all that You are doing both in the church and in the World in Jesus Name Amen

When my heart is overwhelmed

.... Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. There were two verses that stood out to me in this morning's reading, this first one is from Psalm 61:2. David had cried out to God asking Him to hear his prayer (verse 1). We do not know the occasion of this Psalm, but we can all likely identify with feeling overwhelmed, faint and wanting to hide (the force of the Hebrew). I think of such times as having the rug pulled out from under me, and I had to have a number of these experiences before I first of all turned to God for salvation.  I then needed a number more “rugs” pulled,  before I fully entered into the process of healing, or recovery, true sanctification. Twelve step programs talk about acknowledging the need for a higher power, something or someone outside of oneself to which we can turn in times of trouble and distress. At such times we cry out to God even if we have no idea who He is. The saying there are no atheists in foxholes, seems to be true. And at times like these, those of us who know and love the Lord can lead the way for others, simply by our peace, our peace can be a light in the darkness.

We do of course need to get there ourselves first, and it is a journey! This was not the first time that David had felt overwhelmed. He says in verse 3 “You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” And his experience over and over of God's faithfulness, was the substance of what built the walls of the high tower in which he now feels secure. And in this new season he can now know that he will abide with God forever (verse 7a).  And all this gives him faith to trust in the shelter of God's wings (verse 4b). It's like that with us too, it was with me. Each difficult thing that happens, when we cry out to God and choose to trust Him, these experiences build our walls of faith, and we move into the realization that we are indeed the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

The second verse that stood out to me is from Luke 3:22. It's where the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism, and a voice come from heaven saying “You are my beloved son, in You I am well pleased.” The scriptures tell us that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). It is therefore true that  what He says to Jesus, He says to all who Jesus calls brothers (Hebrews 2:11). Therefore He is saying to you and me “You are my beloved son, beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased.” He does of course want to transform us from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18), and He calls us up not out (Romans 8:1). He loves us exactly as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us there. It's all about acceptance and transformation!

Father, You are so much not into control, but You do want to bring us fullness of life (John 10:10b). And we find that by choosing to present our bodies as living sacrifices which are holy and acceptable and our reasonable service (Romans 12:1, 2). So we surrender again this morning Lord,  and ask You to help us to let our light shine through us at this difficult time for the World in Jesus Name Amen

Give us help from trouble

.... For the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies (Psalm 60:11,12). This verse from this morning's readings that are on my heart. And I got to thinking about the combination of our responsibility and God's, what He expects us to do and what He does for us. I mean there are times when He says to stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord (Exodus 14:13), and there are times when He asks why are you praying go out and face the enemy. But even when it's the Lord, we still have to take up our position, and even in this morning's portion, it is “through God.” And of course this morning the panic over the coronavirus is on also my mind, as here in Canada everything is shutting down, or almost everything. And the question, again on my heart is what is our part, my part, and what is God's?

I am talking about the Biblical principle that we are co-labourers with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). I just came from an early morning daily prayer meeting that “by coincidence” was called way before the panic struck. There is this spirit of fear that is over the whole earth, you can feel it, and there is very little that we as individuals can do. But what we must not do, is to give into the spirit of fear. And part of what we were doing this morning, was to affirm that we believe that God is in control, and declaring words to the effect that “will not fear, Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” And we can do this because “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46: 2, 1).

What is encouraging to me, is that the prophetic has not been silent. In particular, Chuck Pearce prophesied last September that there would be a massive plague that would “test us though passover.” God also told him “Do not look down at what you are about the see.” And he encouraged us to declare  “Lord keep us looking up, and the snakes ahead will have no heads.” Other reputable prophets have been saying that all this is an attack of the enemy, to try and prevent what is coming. I have had the sense for some time, that when the powers of darkness are themselves in panic, that they always go too far. And I want to encourage us all this morning that at times like this, people pray, and I am tapping into the promise this morning that “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). I mean even nonbelievers are praying at this point in time. With all this prayer,  how can we not succeed Hallelujah!

Father, I have the real sense this morning, that we we do not need to fight this battle, but we are to simply take up our position (2 Chronicles 20:17) in faith and in prayer, declare our trust in You and in the surety of Your deliverance. So I thank You in advance for what another prophet has declared, namely that the tide has turned and the victory is ours in Jesus Name Amen

Flirting with the darkness

“Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go out as at other times” (Numbers 24:1). When reading the story of Balaam, it might seem unfair that he was killed with Israel's other enemies (31:8). I mean he had always inquired of the Lord, and had never said anything the Lord had not told him to (i.e. 22:18). And at some point it seems the Lord had even given permission to go with Balak who was seeking to hire him to curse Israel (22:20). And here, much later in Chapter 24 we see that Balaam saw, presumably for the first time, that “it pleased the Lord to bless Israel.” So who could blame him? Well God did for one (Jude 11)! But why? Well, the clue is that Balak had sent emissaries to Balaam with the “diviner’s fee in their hand” (22:6-8). And what I want to suggest, is that in inviting them to stay, Balaam was entertaining the darkness, flirting with it. 

 

The same night the Lord rebuked Balaam telling him clearly “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (verse 12). Nevertheless Balaam had gone with them three times (24:10). The problem then, was that Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15). He failed to understand the deceitfulness of riches and that we suppress the truth in our unrighteousness (Mark 4:19; Romans 1:18). And it all starts with flirting with the darkness. James tells us that we are tempted when we are drawn away, and then enticed (James 1:14). After this, we can become totally blind to deception. The Lord had to use a dumb ass speaking to Balaam when the angel of the Lord blocked his (Balaam's) way. And in the intensity of wanting his own way, Balaam doesn't even seem to notice that the donkey is speaking to him (22:26-30). And then ever after this, Balaam says “Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back” (22:34)! I mean “if,” what was it going to take?

But there's also another problem, because we do not sin in a vacuum! And our transgressions many times, especially if we are believers, encourages others to sin. It certainly did with Balaam (31:16). And it all starts when we flirt with the darkness, that is just allowing ourselves to think about it. And the next thing you know, the still recovering addict hangs out with old “friends” who are likely to persuade him to use; the porn addict types certain key words into a search engine – just curious to see which websites come up; someone with a gambling problem hangs out in places with lots of slot machines; a young unmarried couple spend long hours alone in private etc., etc. In the last case the scripture clearly says “Flee fornication, sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18; see also 6:9).

Father, forgive us Lord for those times we have flirted with the darkness, fooling ourselves and telling ourselves “we're only looking.” You call us to be holy Lord, and You desire truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Let us not be ignorant Lord of the devices of the devil who wants to draw us away, and cause us to not walk in the light. Our thought life is the last bastion Lord, so please teach us to bring every thought captive unto obedience in Jesus Name Amen

How shall I curse whom God has not cursed (Numbers 23:8)?

The context is of Israel in the midst of the wilderness wanderings. They were there, because they had refused to go up in battle to claim the promised land. So Israel then and now was and is far from perfect. Balak, one of Israel's enemies, had asked Balaam, a prophet of Israel, to curse Israel. And also then and now, there are forces in the World who want to curse Israel, even in the Church. And regardless of what you feel about the issues, and there is certainly confusion and contradictory evidence, what we need to realize is that God's convergent with Israel is an everlasting convergent, and that it remains true that God will curse those who Curse Israel, and bless those who bless it (Genesis 17:13; 12:31).

Nobody can deny that the state of the Palestinians is dire. What is not always obvious though, is that the Palestinians are being used as pawn in a proxy war, specifically from Iran. And Iran essentially has the Palestinian leaders in their pocket. And from the beginning Iran, and others in the Middle East, have been determined to eliminate the state of Israel “pushing them into the sea.” As in any war, there are rights and wrongs on both sides. But this war has been going on for a very long time. It is essentially a war between the sons of Isaac, and the sons of Ishmael. And no matter what you think about the issues, it's hard to see how Israel can make peace with those who are committed to its annihilation. Nevertheless, we are commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 126:6). With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

I want to say something about what is called replacement theology. Some believe that God has rejected Israel and replace it by “Spiritual Israel,” meaning the Church. For this and other reasons, many at lest in the visible Church, reject Israel and all that it stands for. But Paul addresses this issue clearly. He asks “has God cast away His people?” He answers his own question with “Certainly not! God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew” (Romans 11:1, 2). It is he admits, something of a mystery, but then goes on to say that he does not want us to be ignorant “lest you should be wise in your own opinion. ” And he want us to know “that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (verse 25). From the Bible, we know that Israel is part of God's end time plan for the redemption of all who will receive Him. In fact the very existence of Israel is evidence of God's work in the World. Isaiah asks “Can a nation be born in a day? Who has heard of such a thing?” (Isaiah 66:8). Well, it happened on May 14 1948. Google it of you are not familiar with these things.

Father, as we watch the news and see the ongoing conflict specifically over Jerusalem, we need faith to pray for its peace. But Lord Your Word will surely accomplish what You desire, and will not return to You void (Isiah 59:1; 55:11). And we look forward to that day Father when every wrong will be made right and every tear wiped from our eyes. In the meantime In the meantime Lord give us grace to watch and pray in Jesus Name Amen