Gracious Father, I come before your thrown again once more expressing gratitude for the mercies you have bestowed on undeserving children. I thank you for life, health, and strength. I thank you for family. I thank you for my job. I just thank you for your awesome transforming power that I have experienced since I understood that I am nothing without you. Oh God, I just thank you. Now Father, I just pray that your children would take an inventory of this world, and see that it is decaying, and that they seek you with urgency. I pray that they humble themselves, and not allow the wisdom of philosophers and scientists trump your godly wisdom. I pray Father, that more and more of your children just prioritize their lives with you in the center. Lord if there is anytime we need you, it is right now Father, and I pray that your will be done rapidly so that many can be saved. I pray a blessing on all who will be reading. I pray that you meet them where they are, and I pray that you will be a comforter in a time of despair. And Father, please forgive us of our sins committed, whether by thoughts or deeds. I honor you, and praise you, and exalt your name above all names, and I pray this prayer in the name of your son Jesus. Amen
I was speaking with a sister in Christ yesterday, and she shared some news that I prayed would not have come to that. A local pastor’s church is in debt of 11 million dollars. I have heard disturbing news regarding this pastor, but I did not put too much stock into it because it was hear say. Unfortunately, it has been substantiated. The final judgment issued by the court was sent in December of last year, and it appears they have begun the foreclosing procedures. This church is not failing because they just simply fell on hard times. This church is failing because the leader of the church had a high taste for the finer things in life. He wanted a million dollar home and went after it. He wanted “mega” church status, and achieved it. He was crafty with his words, and bedded gullible women of the church. He opened up many local businesses in the name of the church to add to “his” success. This church is failing because the wrong focus was the root. I learned a long time ago, that whatever the flesh causes you to gain, most likely the flesh will be needed to keep it. When we are addressing matters of the spirit, flesh cannot be involved. This was a powerful man of God. He can captivate you with his unique style of preaching. It was evident, that he was called by God. However the one, who was called by God, is now being punished by God.
We have read about Saul’s fall. We have read about David’s fall. Even Moses, some can say failed because he did not enter the Promised Land due to his disobedience. This shows God is consistent with His word. If you choose to obey, blessings are there, but if you choose the contrary, there will be consequences, even for the elect. Moses was commissioned to do a great thing, however he nearly lost his life because of disobedience. In order to understand why, we need to understand parts of God’s covenant with Abraham. God made a covenant with Abraham, and this covenant was not only for Abraham, but Abraham’s descendants. (Gen 17:1-9) Part of this covenant was every male child of 8 days old and older had to be circumcised. (Gen 17:10-12) Moses, may have been part of this covenant but had no knowledge of it, since he was raised as an Egyptian from he was 3 months old. The scriptures at no time indicate that Moses was instructed regarding this covenant. It could have happened later when God spoke with him regarding the cries from the children of Israel. The bible states “Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations. "Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt” (Ex 3:15-16) One could say when God spoke about being the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that the covenant was explained there. Or one can say when he gathered the elders and when they were in agreement that God did send Moses; it may have been explained there. We really do not know.
What is certain is that Moses’ life was in danger. In Exodus 2, Moses was married and had a son, and this was prior to seeing the burning bush. (2:21-22) In Exodus 3 and 4, he meets God and receives his instructions, and possibly an understanding of the covenant. (Ex 3:1-4:23) Now here is where Moses nearly loses his life. The bible states “And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses' feet, and said, "Surely you are a husband of blood to me!" So He let him go. Then she said, "You are a husband of blood!" -because of the circumcision.” (Ex 4:24-26) It is at this point and this point alone that the act of circumcision was not performed and because of this, Moses nearly lost his life.
God is faithful and just. His word has purpose and it must be obeyed. The bible states “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Ps 138:2) This shows the importance of God’s word, and the significance of how the hearer of God’s word should handle it. It did not matter who it was. Whether it is Saul, David, or even the great Moses, disobedience to His holy world will eventually bring destruction. But God is a loving and forgiving God. Even though the covenant was made with Moses, and it should have been his responsibility to perform the ritual, God allowed his wife to do it, in which He accepted it. That pastor could have turned from his wicked ways and God would have raised him up. That pastor could have confessed to his Father in heaven and begged for forgiveness, and God would not have remembered it no more. But this pastor let time go on, and figured because he was God’s elected, that it would have been alright. The bible stated “and it came to pass”, meaning there was no determined time, but a time came, and God decided to act.
Here is what we can learn from this. The bible states “He who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” (Col 3:25) Amen!
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