183 - Faithful before the Lord his God

Chareen's Thoughts

• Hezekiah and the people sing a psalm at the festival about the Lord.
• Hezekiah and the people destroyed all the high places, poles and altars through out the land.  First king in a long time who has done this.
• He brought about many reforms and called the people to follow the statutes of Moses.  
• Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah, and he did what was good, right, and faithful before the Lord his God.  And every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in keeping with the law and the commandments to seek his God [inquiring of and yearning for Him], he did with all his heart, and he prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21.
•  The Lord hears the cry of Israel and sends a word via Micah.
• He addresses and denounces Israel's leaders, their wickedness, the conspiracy in the palace and their place among the nations.

And every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in keeping with the law and the commandments to seek his God [inquiring of and yearning for Him], he did with all his heart, and he prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21.

blessings
Chareen

157 - Because they relied upon the LORD

Asa destroys the idols and forbids worship in local shrines
Author: Unknown Date 1372

Chareen's Thoughts
Today's readings: 1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13,14, Psalm 77

• After the death of Rehoboam, Abijah became King of over Judah.  As was with his father before him there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
• Thus the Israelites were brought low at that time, and the people of Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18
• Abijah walked in the sin of his father before him.  The reason he was given a place in Jerusalem is because of King David.  
• When Abijah died his son Asa became king in his place.
• Asa reigned as king in Jerusalem for 41 years.   And Asa did right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father [forefather]. vs 11
• And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He took away the foreign altars and high places and broke down the idol pillars or obelisks and cut down the Asherim [symbols of the goddess Asherah] 4 And commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers [to inquire of and for Him and crave Him as a vital necessity], and to obey the law and the commandment. 5 Also Asa took out of all the cities of Judah the idolatrous high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under his reign. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
• During Asa's reign the LORD struck Jeroboam and he died.
• Baasha became king of Israel and reigned 24 years and he did what was evil in the LORD's sight.
• The Cushites came against Judah but the Lord fought for them because Asa cried out to the Lord for them and Judah triumphed over the Cushites.
• 13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary [in holiness, away from sin and guilt]. Who is a great God like our God? 14 You are the God Who does wonders; You have demonstrated Your power among the peoples. 15 You have with Your [mighty] arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalms 77:13-15

These two verses spoke to me today. I have been struggling with a lack of peace and the world around me seems to be in turmoil. As I read these two verses I felt that my little kingdom would be in more peace if I rely on and seek Him more.
 Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18
... And the kingdom had rest under his reign. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5

May your kingdoms be blessed with peace as you seek and rely upon Him
Blessings
Chareen

157 - The evil and good kings

Kathleen's thoughts

1 Kings 15: 1-34
2 Chronicles 13: 1-22, 14: 1-15
Psalm77: 1-20

Asa of Judah

Today's reading one can see that when you walk with the Lord he is our rock and our salvation. He protected and fought for the kings of Judah, protected them and brought down the kings of Israel who served idols.
Now the Kings who served God were Abijah king of Judah. The rest of the events of Abijah reign along with all his accomplishments, are written about in the Historical Record of Judah['s kings. Abijam rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place.
He reigned 41 years in Jerusalem. Asa also did what was right in the Lords eyes, as his ancestor David had done.  And during his reign he shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles He removed the pagan altars and the high places. and he told the people to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to carry out the instructions and commands. Asa had 10 years of peace.

The evil king.. Jeroboam no longer retained his power during Abijah's reign ultimately, the Lord struck him and he died. He reigned 22 years and he rested with his fathers, and his son Nadab became king in his place and he too carried out the evil ways of his father. But Asha son of Ahijah conspired against Nadab and struck him down and killed him
Baasha son of Ahijah became king over all Israel and he reigned 24 years and  he followed the example of Jeroboam and the sin he had caused Israel to commit.
Now when he became king he struck down the entire house of Jeroboam.

The Psalm today is a comfort of distress.

Psalm 25: 5-6 Guide me in Your truth and teach me for You are the God of my salvation. I wait for You all day long. Remember Lord, Your compassion and Your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.

Blessings
Kathleen.

101 - Envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness

David offering the Head of Goliath to King Saul
Rembrandt 1627

Chareens Thoughts

• David is brought before King Saul and says he will face Goliath.
• The Lord hands Goliath over to David and the Israelites pursue the Philistines.  David is brought before Saul.
• Jonathan committed himself to David and they became friends.
• After David slew Goliath he wrote Psalm 23.
• 1 Samuel 18:5  And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was satisfactory both to the people and to Saul's servants.
• It is at this point that Saul tries to kill David twice. David prays for protection: Psalm 5:1-5 
• King Saul offers his daughter Merab to David and David says no.  King Saul hears that his daughter Michal loved David and so he offers her to David.  He asks for one hundred foreskins as payment. God is with David and blesses him so he pays King Saul in full.  As a result of this David became Sauls enemy and did not appear before Saul again.
• Saul realises that the Lord is with David and becomes afraid of him.  David prays for help. Psalm 12

A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Saul envied Davids popularity and the result of this is his scheming to kill David.  It drove a wedge between them to the point that David became Saul's enemy.

Envy is a dangerous emotion and destroys you and those around you

Blessings
Chareen

76 - Only one for the Job

Moses blesses Joshua before the High Priest.

Chareen's Thoughts

• Moses has died.  He is the only prophet that the LORD knew face to face. [None equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt--to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, And in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses wrought in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12
• All of Israel morned for 30 days.
• Joshua was now the new leader of Israel and he had been fulled of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; so the Israelites listened to him.
• Psalm 78:12-66 , Psalm 105:16-45 , Psalm 106:1-33 , Psalm 135 sums up the history of Israel to this point. 

¹PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!^(A)

    ²Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord? Or who can show forth all the praise [that is due Him]?

    ³Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who observe justice [treating others fairly] and who do right and are in right standing with God at all times.

    ⁴[Earnestly] remember me, O Lord, when You favor Your people! O visit me also when You deliver them, and grant me Your salvation!-- (Psalm 106:1-4)
 ¹PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!

    ²You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,

    ³Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely!

⁵For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods.

    ⁶Whatever the Lord pleases, that has He done in the heavens and on earth, in the seas and all deeps--

    ⁷Who causes the vapors to arise from the ends of the earth, Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings the wind out of His storehouses;  (Psalm 135)

Today's reading finished with these words which really blessed my heart:
 When God called Joshua to lead the nation He did not ask him to be another Moses. Leading Israel out was a task for a Moses, leading Israel in was a task for a Joshua.  Joshua could not be Moses, nor Moses Joshua. You too, have a place in God's eternal scheme of things, but you can only fit into it as you are yourself. (Cover to Cover Day 76 page 346)
 Romans 12:4-6 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

So always remember be true to yourself and whom the Lord has made you to be.

Blessings
Chareen

75 - Moses goes to be with the Lord

Kathleen's thoughts

Deuteronomy 32,33,34

Numbers27: 12-14

Psalm 91

Deuteronomy 32: 19-43. Moses continues to recite the words of this song to the entire assembly of Israel this containing the judgement of sins and God's deliverance. 35... Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay In time their foot will slip for their day of disaster is near and their doom is coming quickly. 36...The Lord will indeed vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone... 39. See now that I alone am He; there is no God but Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal. No one can rescue anyone from My hand...40. I raise My hand to heaven and declare; As surely as I live forever.

Deuteronomy 33 is Moses final words to the 12 tribes of Israel it was a blessing...Verse 1. This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave the Israelites before his death. And so Moses spoke his blessings over them.

Psalm 91 (KJV)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty...

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in him will I trust...

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence...

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler...

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;...

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday...

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come night thee...

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked...

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;...

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling...

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways...

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone...

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet...Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name...

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him...

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Beautiful promise from our Heavenly Father. Amen.

Deuteronomy 34: 5-7 And so Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, as the Lord had said...He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. Moses was 120 years old hen he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him.

This was a man after God's own heart, a man that served the Lord faithfully to the very end, a man with high standards of living who walked in faith and trusted the Lord with his footsteps right to the very end of his days until he came face to face in glory with Him.

It's been a beautiful journey with Moses and the Israelites and a lot learnt! Looking forward to the next journey with Joshua.

Blessings

Kathleen.

56 - Wondering in the desert

Kathleen's thoughts

Numbers14,15,16

Deuteronomy 1

Psalm 90: 1-7

Because of the conspiracy against the Lord they were cursed that generation by not entering into the land that God promised them They will die in the wilderness and only Joshua and Caleb and their generation who obeyed the Lord's commands will enter into the land that the Lord promised them.

The Israelites were overcome with grief and tried to rectify their mistakes but there repentance was too late.

Psalm 90 a beautiful Psalm to read. Verse 12 Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

I just love Numbers 15: 38 - 41

Speak to the Israelites and tell them that through out their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the Lord's commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. This way you will remember and obey all My commands and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God"

Blessings

56 - Tassels a sign of Seperation

40 years based on 40 days of exploration
Map from 1871 click to enlarge

Chareen's Thoughts

• The consequence of Israel's sin of unbelief was death and one year for each day they explored the promised land. Numbers 14:31-38
• Only Joshua and Caleb survived of the men who went to Canaan because they followed the Lord completely. 
• Psalm 90:1-17 is the earliest psalm.
• There were more instructions for offerings once the Israelites entered their promised land.
• As a sign of separation the Israelites were to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner.  These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the LORD'S commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. This way you will remember and obey  all My commands and be holy to your God. Numbers 15:38-40
• The consequence of work on a Sabbath was death by stoning.

As I read all about the tassels and the colour I gained a better understanding for branding.  I love christian clothing and jewellery.

What are some of your favourite items that remind you of your Lords love and that you are to be set apart ?
Blessings
Chareen

For Further reading:

Quoated from Wikipedia: The tzitzit ("knotted fringes") of the tallit ("[prayer] shawl") are connected to the 613 commandments by interpretation: principal Torah commentator Rashi bases the number of knots on a gematria: the word tzitzit (Hebrew: ציצת (Biblical), ציצית, in its Mishnaic spelling) has the value 600. Each tassel has eight threads (when doubled over) and five sets of knots, totalling 13. The sum of all numbers is 613. This reflects the concept that donning a garment with tzitzit reminds its wearer of all Torah commandments.

• Everyone has their time in the Wilderness
• 1871 Map
• Strike two and you're out of the Promised Land.
•