It's troubling to me to read about the dreadful split between Judah and Israel, and of the horrendous works of the evil kings. It makes me sad to realize it was all due to Solomon's wandering heart and idolatry later in his life. With all his wisdom, he should have known better. It just goes to show that "you can fall from any level," as Rick Joyner said in The Final Quest. How serious we need to be in maintaining the fear of the Lord, and a pure love for Him and His Word!
All the turmoil of those Old Testament days reminds me of modern times, even of American politics. If you look just under the surface of current events, you will see the seeds of civil war. The trouble is, so many of the issues are spiritual, just as they were back in Ahab's day. God's people today seem to have just as much trouble in dealing with ungodliness in society and government as they did in Bible times. Why is that, I wonder? Do you think, perhaps, that most of us are just too concerned with trying to survive to do anything to confront the evils that are trying to gain power over us, individually and as a nation? [and I'm not talking about "rebellion," I'm talking about submitting to God and following Him.]
In order to be free from evil domination, we will have to be willing to see what is really happening around us and to us. We will have to be willing to see evil, not close our eyes to it. Seeing it and liking it, or just going along with it (as well as simply closing our eyes to it), is what leads us into slavery. Seeing it and hating it is the beginning of getting free.
God expects us to love what He loves and hate what He hates. This, of course, must be established in our own personal life, but after that, what? I would say, no matter what, start with prayer. Prayer is the launch pad. None of us will know what He is doing, or what we ourselves are to do, without seeking the Lord in prayer. If you don't really trust God, now's the time to dig down into the Word and get your roots planted into Him. Every time you obey Him, you get a little more rooted. You're going to have to trust Him in order to stand godly in the evil day.
The truth is, while Christ's Kingdom is being established on earth, the worldly kingdoms are crumbling. Can you feel the foundations being shaken? Do you see the chaos beginning to take hold of the world's systems? Of course, all those with worldly power, not to mention the evil spiritual entities that hold sway over the nations, are trying to tighten their grip. Controls will strengthen, and when people rebel against control, flattery will try to win them-- but only so that even greater control can be exercised. There's no getting away from this. It's the times we're in! That's why it's so important to see the Kingdom of God and go for it. It's time to see what kingdoms are what, and choose.
Whatever you're called to do in the Kingdom of God, God has provision for you. It takes a lot of courage to take a stand for God in evil times, or even to support one who openly does. But as Jesus said, Be not afraid! We saw how the Lord provided for Elijah-- He sent ravens to feed him! Then He asked a poor widow to care for him, and miraculously provided for her too. Not only was there enough food for them, but there was also provision for healing (her son was raised). Even if the Lord were to call for judgments (such as famine) against an idolatrous nation, His people will be provided for if they will trust Him and obey Him.
As we read in the story of Peter and Cornelius, the Lord even has communications covered: prayer, the leading of the Holy Spirit, visions, and angelic visitations will keep God's people "in the know" and the Kingdom of God running according to His plan. And remember how Stephen got transported by the Spirit, and he just found himself somewhere? Who needs cars, planes, cell phones and the internet when you have such efficient modes of communication and travel? We might as well get used to it-- we're called to live in a supernatural Kingdom! It's not science fiction, it's real! We'll see more and more of it as the return of the King draws nearer.
I know it's normal to say, "Well, I'm not Elijah! Maybe that guy over there is!" but each of us has been given a place of authority in our life, whether large or small; and in this place of rule, we are each called to declare the Word of the Lord and to resist evil, no matter what the apparent cost. We must trust the Lord to provide all that is needed, even when the world from which we have been gaining our support is falling down around our ears.
"And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead." Acts 10:42
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
May 28, 2010 The Perfect Prayer
I feel so enveloped in love whenever I read John 17 -- it is one of my very favorite Scriptures! This is a prayer that is being, and will be, completely fulfilled. You can't go wrong agreeing with this prayer, as the Father's absolute "YES" comes with it. One of the greatest things on God's heart is His people living in Oneness with Himself and each other. This is a miracle beyond our earthly comprehension, but an absolute promise. No human effort could ever achieve this, what Jesus called glory. The only way to accomplish this is for each believer to be fully filled with Him and to be fully "in Him." The Holy Spirit is powerfully working in and around each one of us, to reveal the glory of the eternal Word, Jesus. Our job is to believe.
"Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven."
Psalm 119:89
"Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven."
Psalm 119:89
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May 26, 2010 The Prayer Jesus Vouches For
We've talked a little bit about getting our prayers answered, and today there's more. I think that this might be something important to Jesus-- that we pray and receive a "yes" to our prayer! I've come to realize, though, that every prayer is not answered. And that's because every prayer doesn't fit His criteria.
Since I'm not doing a comprehensive study here, we'll just have to go with what we've got so far. On the 24th, we saw that one of the requirements for answered prayer is that it is "in My name." That's a big topic in itself. Let's just say, would Jesus sign on this one? Since prayer is asking God to do something beyond what we can do, wouldn't it be reasonable to ask Him to do something He would actually do? That takes knowing Him and what He has done: does this request fit His character? does it fit Who He is actually is? The only way to know this is to know Him.
I'm grateful that He knows us completely, and takes into consideration our small viewpoint! The Holy Spirit is here to guide us into all truth, so if we need a little guidance in our prayer, He's there to help. He hears us at all levels of our maturity and understanding. But the more mature we are, and the more of the knowledge of God we have, the more effective our prayers are going to be. And the older ones should be teaching the younger ones to pray.
Yesterday, Jesus was saying He wants to dwell in us. Now He's saying He wants us to dwell in Him. When you actually live with people, you really get to know them! We find out who snores and who doesn't close up the cracker box right. We find out who actually walks in love. If you've ever had people in your house for an extended stay, you know you know them better than you did before. And they know you. Jesus is all about knowing each other.
So, if you got up in the morning, got some orange juice and toast, and sat down at the table with Jesus (and of course, the Holy Spirit and the Father are there, too), and you got into this great conversation about something in the Word, I guess you'd have a little better knowledge of Him. That Word would start to really be real. It would start to live in your heart. You would feel pretty confident about asking Him to do that thing He just pointed out in the passage you read together. Plus, you got to see how He acted when little dipsy-doodle two-year-old pee'd on the floor right next to His sandals!
I think we'd get to know Jesus a little more if we realized He's there all the time with us. Holy Spirit is giving us this insider-knowledge of just how Jesus is acting all the time. The ultimate Twitter!
When we really know Him, we ask things we know He'll vouch for. That's when we get our prayers answered with a big, resounding "yes!" And that, my friends, is God's will. It makes us really fruitful. It glorifies Him and pleases Him at least as much as it blesses us.
Since I'm not doing a comprehensive study here, we'll just have to go with what we've got so far. On the 24th, we saw that one of the requirements for answered prayer is that it is "in My name." That's a big topic in itself. Let's just say, would Jesus sign on this one? Since prayer is asking God to do something beyond what we can do, wouldn't it be reasonable to ask Him to do something He would actually do? That takes knowing Him and what He has done: does this request fit His character? does it fit Who He is actually is? The only way to know this is to know Him.
I'm grateful that He knows us completely, and takes into consideration our small viewpoint! The Holy Spirit is here to guide us into all truth, so if we need a little guidance in our prayer, He's there to help. He hears us at all levels of our maturity and understanding. But the more mature we are, and the more of the knowledge of God we have, the more effective our prayers are going to be. And the older ones should be teaching the younger ones to pray.
Yesterday, Jesus was saying He wants to dwell in us. Now He's saying He wants us to dwell in Him. When you actually live with people, you really get to know them! We find out who snores and who doesn't close up the cracker box right. We find out who actually walks in love. If you've ever had people in your house for an extended stay, you know you know them better than you did before. And they know you. Jesus is all about knowing each other.
So, if you got up in the morning, got some orange juice and toast, and sat down at the table with Jesus (and of course, the Holy Spirit and the Father are there, too), and you got into this great conversation about something in the Word, I guess you'd have a little better knowledge of Him. That Word would start to really be real. It would start to live in your heart. You would feel pretty confident about asking Him to do that thing He just pointed out in the passage you read together. Plus, you got to see how He acted when little dipsy-doodle two-year-old pee'd on the floor right next to His sandals!
I think we'd get to know Jesus a little more if we realized He's there all the time with us. Holy Spirit is giving us this insider-knowledge of just how Jesus is acting all the time. The ultimate Twitter!
When we really know Him, we ask things we know He'll vouch for. That's when we get our prayers answered with a big, resounding "yes!" And that, my friends, is God's will. It makes us really fruitful. It glorifies Him and pleases Him at least as much as it blesses us.
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24, 2010 "The Right To Remain Silent"
Do you ever feel a weight of glory in the Scriptures? Today I did. Just one little part of what Jesus said has so much glory in it that it is really overwhelming if you contemplate it. For instance, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:12-14
I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life. At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here. It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around! What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here. He wants to do His works through us! How awesome is that???
When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart. How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today? Jesus is authorizing me to pray. I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed. I'm going to wait and hear and pray.
I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God. Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking? If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go. Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be. I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence. I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often. I relinguish my "right to remain silent." Praise the Lord!
I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life. At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here. It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around! What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here. He wants to do His works through us! How awesome is that???
When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart. How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today? Jesus is authorizing me to pray. I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed. I'm going to wait and hear and pray.
I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God. Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking? If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go. Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be. I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence. I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often. I relinguish my "right to remain silent." Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
April 13, 2010
Strategy: that's the theme that came forward to me today. Joshua had God's strategy to defeat Ai. The strategy he used in that battle is also a strategy the devil uses to try and get us into a place he can attack us from behind. Good thing we have God's glory as our rear guard. He's covered me many a time when I was being stupid. And it's good to know our friends are covering our backs too!
I think Ai was being pretty stupid to leave the city undefended! We should never use past experience as a guide for creating a strategic plan! God changes His strategies often. In case you haven't noticed, Satan isn't that flexible. He keeps using the same tactics that worked before, until he suffers a major rout, and then he might change something. God may have given me an overall strategic plan for accomplishing something, but if I don't "inquire of the Lord" on a daily basis, I can miss His input that would have given me the advantage. The idea that a day ahead of us is just routine, and launching out on autopilot, is a good way to get tripped up on something, even a basically stupid something!
There are many different battlefields we deal with every day, such as "the world, the flesh and the devil." If we're not careful to uphold the victories we have already gained, we can fall down on something we've neglected while we're charging ahead after a "biggie". It's not always the battles we're focused on, but the ones we're not paying attention to, that creep up on us from behind, that take us out. Keep your guard up: that's different than building up walls of defensiveness.
As an example, I charged into this year with a strong desire to dig into the Word and proclaim the Lord in the areas of influence the Lord has given me. I knew that He wanted me to have an emphasis on relating more to others, and not just being studious or creative all by myself at home. That desire was from the Lord, and He's been with me. But I quickly found that all the interaction and outward focus was distracting me from prayer. I'm not going to continue being effective if my prayer life is extinct! In the past, the times I've been most caught up in alone time with the Lord, in prayer and worship, have been the times I neglected to reach out to others. So, God's strategy for me this year is to learn to keep a balance of intimate times with Him and connecting with others. I'm thankful that the Lord has brought some actively praying saints in my path to keep me reminded on that particular front!
Practicing the art of being led by the Spirit, moment to moment, has always been key for keeping me on the narrow way. That narrow way has always seemed like a balancing act to me, especially since I'm not naturally balanced. On each side of the way are ditches, to use Rick Joyner's phrase. For me, it's easy to tell if I'm off. One side is a ditch called anxiety, and the other side is a ditch called depression. I get anxious if I spend too much time focused outward, and depressed if I spend too much time alone. The narrow way is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and that's Kingdom!
Not only are we walking, or not walking, on the narrow way, but each of us is in a spiritual war, like it or not. We might as well have our armor on, and have God's strategic plan and tactical directions so that we can daily experience the victory Christ has already won for us.
What other strategies did you see in the Scriptures today? I saw some in the Luke and in the Psalm, and didn't even get to those. Let us know what you find!
I think Ai was being pretty stupid to leave the city undefended! We should never use past experience as a guide for creating a strategic plan! God changes His strategies often. In case you haven't noticed, Satan isn't that flexible. He keeps using the same tactics that worked before, until he suffers a major rout, and then he might change something. God may have given me an overall strategic plan for accomplishing something, but if I don't "inquire of the Lord" on a daily basis, I can miss His input that would have given me the advantage. The idea that a day ahead of us is just routine, and launching out on autopilot, is a good way to get tripped up on something, even a basically stupid something!
There are many different battlefields we deal with every day, such as "the world, the flesh and the devil." If we're not careful to uphold the victories we have already gained, we can fall down on something we've neglected while we're charging ahead after a "biggie". It's not always the battles we're focused on, but the ones we're not paying attention to, that creep up on us from behind, that take us out. Keep your guard up: that's different than building up walls of defensiveness.
As an example, I charged into this year with a strong desire to dig into the Word and proclaim the Lord in the areas of influence the Lord has given me. I knew that He wanted me to have an emphasis on relating more to others, and not just being studious or creative all by myself at home. That desire was from the Lord, and He's been with me. But I quickly found that all the interaction and outward focus was distracting me from prayer. I'm not going to continue being effective if my prayer life is extinct! In the past, the times I've been most caught up in alone time with the Lord, in prayer and worship, have been the times I neglected to reach out to others. So, God's strategy for me this year is to learn to keep a balance of intimate times with Him and connecting with others. I'm thankful that the Lord has brought some actively praying saints in my path to keep me reminded on that particular front!
Practicing the art of being led by the Spirit, moment to moment, has always been key for keeping me on the narrow way. That narrow way has always seemed like a balancing act to me, especially since I'm not naturally balanced. On each side of the way are ditches, to use Rick Joyner's phrase. For me, it's easy to tell if I'm off. One side is a ditch called anxiety, and the other side is a ditch called depression. I get anxious if I spend too much time focused outward, and depressed if I spend too much time alone. The narrow way is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and that's Kingdom!
Not only are we walking, or not walking, on the narrow way, but each of us is in a spiritual war, like it or not. We might as well have our armor on, and have God's strategic plan and tactical directions so that we can daily experience the victory Christ has already won for us.
What other strategies did you see in the Scriptures today? I saw some in the Luke and in the Psalm, and didn't even get to those. Let us know what you find!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
March 13, 2010
Reading the Luke account of the story of Zechariah's visitation in the temple, I saw a different scenario than I had ever seen before. Not that anything different happened, but I saw it in a different way.
The angel Gabriel says to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13. Gabriel went on to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would finally bear him a son. I had always assumed that Zechariah had been praying for that son; but then I realized that, since he was standing before the altar of incense in the temple doing his priestly duties, when "the whole assembly of the people was praying outside," vs 10 that his prayers were for Israel: that God would "turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." vs 16.
If bearing a son had simply been a private matter for Zechariah and Elizabeth, perhaps Gabriel would have visited them at home. But the angel's visit to the temple during worship and prayer marked a significant turn of events for Israel. I don't think Zechariah would have been quite so terrified when the angel showed up if it was usual then for the glory of God to appear in the temple. This must not have happened to him before, and was unexpected.
I also don't think that Zechariah had an expectation of receiving an answer to prayer about finally having a son. His reaction to the news, and Gabriel's response to it, indicate that he had given up having faith about that. I think it was Elizabeth who had the faith to have her womb opened. Her statement was, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." vs 25 I don't believe she had ever stopped entreating the Lord about her barrenness.
God's goodness and wonderful timing are showcased here, answering two separate prayers concerning barrenness: a woman's and a nation's. God had a plan to not only bless a righteous couple who served Him, but to prepare His chosen people to receive the promised Messiah and the redemption He would bring.
I see an application for us personally. When we see the trouble around us, and take our cities and nations before the Lord in intercession, He will find a way to make us part of the answer. It may just be that the long-awaited answer to the deepest longing of our heart is part of God's plan to bring His redemptive power to work in our own personal area of influence. Isn't God awesome?
The angel Gabriel says to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13. Gabriel went on to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would finally bear him a son. I had always assumed that Zechariah had been praying for that son; but then I realized that, since he was standing before the altar of incense in the temple doing his priestly duties, when "the whole assembly of the people was praying outside," vs 10 that his prayers were for Israel: that God would "turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." vs 16.
If bearing a son had simply been a private matter for Zechariah and Elizabeth, perhaps Gabriel would have visited them at home. But the angel's visit to the temple during worship and prayer marked a significant turn of events for Israel. I don't think Zechariah would have been quite so terrified when the angel showed up if it was usual then for the glory of God to appear in the temple. This must not have happened to him before, and was unexpected.
I also don't think that Zechariah had an expectation of receiving an answer to prayer about finally having a son. His reaction to the news, and Gabriel's response to it, indicate that he had given up having faith about that. I think it was Elizabeth who had the faith to have her womb opened. Her statement was, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." vs 25 I don't believe she had ever stopped entreating the Lord about her barrenness.
God's goodness and wonderful timing are showcased here, answering two separate prayers concerning barrenness: a woman's and a nation's. God had a plan to not only bless a righteous couple who served Him, but to prepare His chosen people to receive the promised Messiah and the redemption He would bring.
I see an application for us personally. When we see the trouble around us, and take our cities and nations before the Lord in intercession, He will find a way to make us part of the answer. It may just be that the long-awaited answer to the deepest longing of our heart is part of God's plan to bring His redemptive power to work in our own personal area of influence. Isn't God awesome?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 9, 2010
Have you ever heard the term "spiritual pride"? I understand that people use the term to mean "proud over their spirituality" or something like that, but it seems to me that pride is anything but spiritual! Satan fell by being proud, didn't he?
Remember the reading from February 26?: "But when He [Jesus] had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:33 No matter how "spiritual" we think we are, if we're in pride, we're not walking in the Spirit. If we're arguing with Jesus, we're taking sides with the devil! Satan is a spirit, but he became carnal by being proud.
All human beings have spirits, whether they walk with Christ or not, and all spirits are not of God! Does this change your point of view about non-Christians? About spirituality?
If you can get a handle on the truth that pride originates in your spirit, it will revolutionize your Christian walk! [Bonus: there's a reason humility isn't listed in the Fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. Humility is an attitude or position of the spirit, and it is your free-will choice; it takes humility to "walk in the Spirit" in order to bear fruit.]
Moses and Jesus both demonstrated, through their words and actions, what it is to be humble. They were submitted to God. "Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth." Numbers 12:3 He had an intimate relationship with God. Jesus is the Son of God, and the most spiritual of all wouldn't you say, and He prayed, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." Mark 14:36
The readings today show both Old Testament and New Testament examples of how pride is a spiritual issue, what the outcome is, and how to avoid it. In Numbers 11, God had just transferred some of the anointing Moses had onto seventy of the elders, and they prophesied. Although Joshua expressed some concern over this, Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!" 11:28-29 I'm thinking some pride was exposed by this turn of events, for it wasn't long before Aaron and Miriam rose up in criticism of Moses saying, "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" 12:1-2 Miriam must have instigated it, as she was the one who was disciplined. Do you think perhaps the Lord was giving a strong warning to those who had received the Spirit, not to walk in pride over it? How does this pertain to us?
Jesus' disciples seemed to have had the same problem. They'd been singled out to walk with Jesus day by day, and He had told them many things in private. I think they began to see themselves as very spiritual, so much so that they wouldn't receive a serious warning from Jesus. "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you," said Peter. And all of them said the same, even though Jesus had just told them they would all run off. He gave Peter, James and John the chance to "keep awake and pray," but it seems that they were overwhelmed and went to sleep instead.
Pride does not watch and pray, but humility does. Pride falls into temptation, humility falls on its face before God.
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble." Proverbs 11: 2
Remember the reading from February 26?: "But when He [Jesus] had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:33 No matter how "spiritual" we think we are, if we're in pride, we're not walking in the Spirit. If we're arguing with Jesus, we're taking sides with the devil! Satan is a spirit, but he became carnal by being proud.
All human beings have spirits, whether they walk with Christ or not, and all spirits are not of God! Does this change your point of view about non-Christians? About spirituality?
If you can get a handle on the truth that pride originates in your spirit, it will revolutionize your Christian walk! [Bonus: there's a reason humility isn't listed in the Fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. Humility is an attitude or position of the spirit, and it is your free-will choice; it takes humility to "walk in the Spirit" in order to bear fruit.]
Moses and Jesus both demonstrated, through their words and actions, what it is to be humble. They were submitted to God. "Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth." Numbers 12:3 He had an intimate relationship with God. Jesus is the Son of God, and the most spiritual of all wouldn't you say, and He prayed, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." Mark 14:36
The readings today show both Old Testament and New Testament examples of how pride is a spiritual issue, what the outcome is, and how to avoid it. In Numbers 11, God had just transferred some of the anointing Moses had onto seventy of the elders, and they prophesied. Although Joshua expressed some concern over this, Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!" 11:28-29 I'm thinking some pride was exposed by this turn of events, for it wasn't long before Aaron and Miriam rose up in criticism of Moses saying, "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" 12:1-2 Miriam must have instigated it, as she was the one who was disciplined. Do you think perhaps the Lord was giving a strong warning to those who had received the Spirit, not to walk in pride over it? How does this pertain to us?
Jesus' disciples seemed to have had the same problem. They'd been singled out to walk with Jesus day by day, and He had told them many things in private. I think they began to see themselves as very spiritual, so much so that they wouldn't receive a serious warning from Jesus. "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you," said Peter. And all of them said the same, even though Jesus had just told them they would all run off. He gave Peter, James and John the chance to "keep awake and pray," but it seems that they were overwhelmed and went to sleep instead.
Pride does not watch and pray, but humility does. Pride falls into temptation, humility falls on its face before God.
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble." Proverbs 11: 2
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