WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE… Part 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE…
Part 1
I love God’s word because it infuses believers with the faith and ability to rise above our circumstances, even when those circumstances look dire.  God’s word, prayer, faith and obedience are critical lifelines that keep God’s people connected to Him.  There are two passages of Scripture in the Old Testament Book of Numbers that appear to show some similarities between the Children of Israel and what is happening in our world today.  In these vivid examples, God’s people broke their lifeline to God which resulted in devastating consequences for them.  But, in spite of those consequences that the people faced, the LORD showed them compassion and delivered them from their destruction.  The first passage of Scripture in Numbers 16:42-48 (NKJV), God’s word declared, 42 “Now it happened, when THE CONGREGATION HAD GATHERED AGAINST MOSES AND AARON that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting.  44 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 ‘Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.’  And they fell on their faces.  46 So Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The PLAGUE has begun.’ 47 Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the PLAGUE had begun among the people. So, he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so, the PLAGUE WAS STOPPED.  49 Now those who died in the PLAGUE were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident.”  Take a look at verse 42 again!  The congregation of the Children of Israel were blatantly defiant towards Moses and Aaron, right in the face of God, in front of the tabernacle of meeting.  (They took their defiance to Church)!  Has anyone ever seen that degree of disrespect in today’s Church?  Appalling!!!  That congregation of leaders harbored bitterness toward Moses and Aaron because of the Korah incident (Numbers 16:1-38) where God had just pronounced swift judgment on a previous group of over 14,700 leaders who had also rebelled against Moses and Aaron questioning their leadership.  This current group of leaders were another part of that same congregation and it appears that God had heard and seen enough before the plague began.  Fortunately, Moses’ and Aaron’s quick thinking, intercession, and atonement for the people caused the plague to stop before they were all consumed. In this first example, the Children of Israel rebelled against Moses and Aaron, the two men, charged with the task of leading God’s people to freedom from Egyptian bondage. That was tantamount to rebelling against God (1Samuel 15:23), causing the plague.       

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!