For A Time, Such As This- Day Five

For A Time, Such As This

Day Five

by Rocky Fleming

 

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.'"

 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”  (Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

    When you read this verse consider the context of it.  It was about a new identity and orientation for the Israelites.  The Jewish people had been miraculously delivered from Egypt and was in the wilderness.  Their bodies were no longer physically there, but Egypt was still within them.  The biggest reorientation for the people was to remove their belief in the false gods of Egypt that they had embraced.  They had lived in Egypt for 430 years.  Many generations lived and died there.  They were outcasts and slaves, but they loved the food, the spices, and the idols that their adopted culture gave them.  By in large they had no identity with Jehovah God.  They didn’t know there is only one true God.  Therefore, it would require 40 years of exile into the wilderness to be re-oriented into a nation who would serve one God … the Lord God Almighty.  Once this re-orientation was established, they were given permission to enter the Promised Land.  They would have to be prepared before they could, for their identity and pull to false gods would continue to test them.  Even so they had this going for them.  It’s what Papa said,   “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”    As Christians we have the name of Jesus Christ upon us.  We are identified with Him.  He is our Sovereign God.  He is our Creator.  He is our Savior.  We are identified with Him, unless we have embraced false gods into our life as the Israelites did.  Then we have a problem, just as they did.   If you look more deeply at the verses I’ve included, you will see the benefit of being God’s child and the blessing that is being conveyed.   “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”   What we see is God telling those of us who carry His name that He will bless us and keep us.  He will watch over us, and give His grace to us, and finally He says that He will give us peace.  Peace.  Isn’t that the one thing that most civilized people desire?  There are war mongers, criminals and agitators who desire to take away our peace because they have no peace.  They are vulnerable and susceptible to the evil man who has always stirred up wars, prejudice, jealousy and criminal behavior.  I wonder how many would not engage in these things if they could find the peace that surpasses all understanding as stated in Philippians 4:7?   “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   Today we gather to offer an orchestra of prayer.  Please complete the filling of our prayer vigil sheet and join our prayers so that our King can hear a continuous symphony of worshipers who ask for revival to be granted to the Church in this country.  Our Father wants to do more for us than we’ve been willing to accept, for many are divided in their loyalty to Him.  They are called by His name but miss so many of His blessings because He is only an interest in their life, rather than the Lord God of their life.  He is competing with so many idols, and unless we leave them and turn fully to Him, we will not emerge into the Church that is needed for the days we are in and are about to face.  For this reason, our prayer the next 24 hours will be a request for revival.   Revive us oh Lord, and let it begin in me.  Stir us up Lord so that no one would ever think or say that anything or anyone has visited us but You.  Establish Yourself over our life and purify our faith.  Drive away the evil man and rule over us our King.  Get Your glory Lord by reviving our identity in You and You in us.  We beseech you Lord.  Come to us we ask of you and make yourself known.  It is in the glorious name of Jesus Christ we pray.  AMEN