Monday, February 22, 2010
February 23 ... Numbers 28 - 30 "The Narrow Road"
Numbers 30:1 When a man makes a vow before God, he must do exactly what he says, he must not break his word. So many vows. So much work to tend to these healthy animals. No man could do it well before a holy God. So they stayed on a wilderness path for four decades because they wouldn't walk the narrow path. 66 Love Letters: ""They refused to walk the narrow road of belief that welcomes exposrure of failure and conflict, knowing that I have a plan to overcome them." God wants to overcome what's wrong in my heart as well as my difficult circumstances. Will I walk that narrow road of belief that welcomes exposure of my failure and conflict? I don't want to be exposed for who I am? Or do I? Do I want to fall into the Hands of God or man? God is always always out for my good in my failure and fears. Jer 33:20 says: When was the last time the sun didn't dawn or set at the right time? When was the last time God refused to be good to you?
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These words keep jumping out at me today.
ReplyDelete"Conclude the seventh day in holy worship; don't do any regular work on that day.
Do I really contemplate the holiness of worship in my heart as I enter into worship? Am I keeping the Sabbath holy? Do I spend the day resting in the Lord?
As a New Covenant Girl, I am not required to make sacrifices to the Lord such as drink offerings, burnt offerings, etc...but I am to make sacrifices and do so willingly, not as a martyr.
"On the tenth day of this seventh month, gather in holy worship, humble yourselves, and do no work.
Holy worship - humble myself...
The Jews had a narrow road, I must enter through a narrow gate.
Falling into the Hands of the Lord is a fearful thing. It also is the best thing. The narrow road that brings the fullness of Life. . .
ReplyDeleteMoses knows his days are short. He's just been told by God he won't enter the Promise Land, so he desperately wants his people to know everything God has revealed to him. I remember my mother wanting to be certain I knew exactly how to make the Thanksgiving dinner she had so lovingly prepared all those years. She knew it so well, the recipes were not written down, but carefully engraved inside her. I was frustrated that there wasn't an exact amount written down but I listened and revered the traditions, the attention to detail that made holidays one of the best memories for each of her children.
When did Holy Days become just holidays? Somewhere along the way, I've lost the attention to detail, the reverence, and adapted my own interpretations. I let some things die. I added others. I know this is not about a turkey dinner, but isn't that exactly what I have done with my life?
Each holy day was an opportunity to worship, to rest, to re-focus.
May we all incorporate a refortified reverence for the holy in our lives.
I re-read the same part of 66LL after I completed today's reading. I kept going back to "they refused" and wondered what I keep refusing. I know one area.
ReplyDeleteIt has felt too risky to expose my failure to certain people (sister, mother-in-law) in my life. And in the midst of conflict with them, I didn't want them to be able to use my sin as an excuse for theirs, which they've done repeatedly. "Yeah, well, you did..."
God's Word has been speaking directly to this area of disobedience. I realize how much I've had my eyes on them and not on my Holy God. I'm ready to be exposed for who I am, knowing that it's the road to life. I need to let God kill these sinful tendencies in me to want to hide my failures and pridefully point out theirs. I know it's no guarantee that the conflict will be resolved, but it is big step toward freedom for me.
"I only kill to resurrect. Everything in you that's bad I destroy in order to release everything in you that's good."
Thank you, Lord, that you came to give me the abundant life. That is what I truly desire.
Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the People of Israel: "This is what God commands: When a man makes a vow to God or binds himself by an oath to do something, he must not break his word; he must do exactly what he has said.
ReplyDeleteWhen I married my husband (in front of God and my closest friends) I promised I'd treat him with...
Eph 5:33 ...respect and Eph 4:32...kindness, compassion and forgiveness. I not only vowed to stay married, I said I would treat him like the Bible says. When I don't treat him well, I am proving I can't be trusted. No one but me and God know how I treat him when we are alone. I need Eph 4:29 ... no unwholesome talk, only build him up.
I'm going to try today to be a woman of my word. I need God's help!
p.s. Can I just tell you that I LOVE reading this Bible with you all? I do! :)
ReplyDeleteAnnette, years ago my husband told me he wished I would let him fall into the hands of the Lord - and take mine off. I listened.
ReplyDeleteI read through and highlighted the references concerning the sacrifices...there is a lot of repetition using the phrases: "without blemish", "sin offering for atonement", "a sweet aroma" (NKJV). Yes, I think holiness matters to God. Will I take my sin seriously, since it's obvious He does?
FG
I find it very intriging that when I read through these sacrifices, I get hungry.
ReplyDelete:)
Lambs, beef, finely-ground flour, oil, beer, wine.
And not just ordinary things...the VERY BEST!
I can just smell the fragrance of the offerings rising up towards heaven. My heart breaks for the innocent animals slaughtered, but why so much food?
Why not gold or woven goods. Or things you buy with your earnings? I know some people who "fondle" their guns, or cars, or motorcycles. Treasures of their heart.
Why not offerings like these?
And then I think about how Christ is THE SACRIFICE offered ONCE for ALL. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Living Water. He is our Daily Manna. We consume Him. We remember Him with communion...bread and wine.
The other thing that's all over these sacrifices...blood.
The lambs are sacrificed and blood is sprinkled.
The bulls are sacrificed and blood is poured out.
And on the Sabbath, double offerings are given.
Holy? Oh my, YES!
Second best? Oh my, NEVER!
Why? Because God is revealing His Son through these offerings. He will give His VERY BEST to cleanse us of sin. That Precious Blood of Jesus will be poured out over the Altar for my salvation.
I believe it is why Mary Magdalene couldn't touch Him in the garden when she saw Him there through her tears. He was on His way to offer His Blood for our sins. He was clean. He was going to redeem us in heaven.
At first, I read through and thought why so much focus on these sacrifices?
Every detail is defined. Holy worship. Acts of obedience.
For my sin. Wow. I am undone. Death is all over these verses, but so is resurrection.
Thank You, my God. Thank You, my Jesus. Thank You, my Holy Spirit. I am one grateful daughter vowing her love and devotion to You.
Vows and my words...I'm thinking God created man with two ears and one mouth. I need to listen more than I need to talk...then chose my words carefully. At home I am prone to think outloud which in my opinion is ok if you are just alone with God.
ReplyDeleteAs I was completing today's read my mind went back to a summer during my college years. I grew up in NE Arkansas and always involved in church and community. The summer of 1965 I was privileged to travel through Oregon and Washington and work in various G.A. Camps and Youth Camps for ten weeks. At the end of the summer I was requested to be the Recreation Director for a huge Youth Camp about 500 people.
I had never done anything like this before and was surprised when I received this assignment. The camp was located in Washington State where you could see Mt. Rainer in the distance and also near the Canadian Border.
Young people from several Canadian churches but mostly youth from the state of Washington were the make up of this camp/conference. I was so grateful for the people God placed in my path to make this week a great success for all.
One of the people I contacted for assistance was a Canadian. I considered my reqeust very simple and straight forward and yet she said she would need to get back with me. She agreed to help a few days later.
What I learned which may still be true today. If a Canadian church says they have 100 members in their church. Every Sunday you will see 100 people or very close to that number in attendance for the church activities. I realized this person wanted to be sure before she agreed that she would be able to keep her word.
I am guilty of good intentions from time to time. This reading is convicting me one more time to be slow to speak and listen more carefully to ALL the details. As a beliver and follower of Jesus Christ it is important for me to KEEP MY WORD.
Let me say it one more time Siestas on this String of Pearls Blog - YOU BLESS ME BEYOND MEASURE. Each of you are so dear to me.