Numbers 26 :1-51, Luke 2 :36-52, Psalms 60 :1-12, Proverbs 11 :15

What God said to me – You’ve heard the phrase “now I can die happy.”  Sometimes it is said flippantly and sometimes with absolute sincerity.  It means you have experienced something so fulfilling and satisfying that your life is complete.  Mary and Joseph encountered two people in the temple when they took My Son, Jesus, after His circumcision to present Him to Me to fulfill the requirement of the Law.  They met Simeon and Anna – both elderly people who had spent their lives serving Me and looking for Messiah.  When they saw Jesus, they recognized Him for who He was, and they excitedly shared with those who were there.  So, what about you – is the focus of your life serving Me and worshipping Me in ministry and prayer and fasting like Simeon and Anna?  Are you anxiously looking for My coming and telling others?  It’s easy to say you want Me to come – but maybe not before I get married and have kids and grandkids and have a successful career and retire and enjoy life.  None of these things are bad things, but they are not the things that will enable you to say, “now I can die happy.”  While those things are wonderful, true peace and joy comes in knowing Me and serving Me in ministry and sharing with others.

Numbers 24-25, Luke 2 :1-35, Psalms 59 :1-17, Proverbs 11 :14

What God said to me – Remember the story of the Trojan horse.  After years of war the Greeks came up with a scheme because their direct attacks were not successful and they entered the city of Troy inside the Trojan horse.  Similarly, Balak, the king of Moab, knew from the prophesies of Balaam that he could not defeat Israel in an outright war because I was with them.  So, they came up with a scheme to invite them to come and eat with them and see them sacrifice to their gods.  Thousands in Israel fell because of immorality and idolatry and My judgment on them.  They wanted to “belong” and be “accepted” in local society, and they slid into sin as a result, and it was their downfall.  You face a similar deceptive enemy.  Very seldom are you confronted with blatant sin because you would see it for what it was and resist.  However, the enemy doesn’t usually come at you head on like that – instead he slips things that seem innocuous into your life through television, movies and books.  You must constantly guard your heart and mind and eyes, or you too will find yourself sliding into sin and accepting it as normal.  Stay alert and seek Me continually.

Numbers 22 :21-23, Luke 1 :57-80, Psalms 58 :1-11, Proverbs 11 :12-13

What God said to me – In Zacharias’ day people were anxious – they were frightened and eager for the coming of Messiah.  I comforted them and prepared the way by answering Zacharias’ prayer and giving him a son, John.  I called John the Baptist to be My prophet to go before and to prepare the way for My Son, Jesus.  He was to declare that Messiah was coming.  He was to give the people the knowledge of salvation by My mercy and by the forgiveness of their sin when they repented.  Now fast forward to today.  You live in a similar time.  My Son will be coming again.  People are anxious – they are frightened and eager for the coming of Messiah.  Similar to the role of John the Baptist, I have called My church to go before and to prepare the way for My Son, Jesus’ return.  You be faithful to tell them that He is coming.  You tell them about salvation by My mercy and the forgiveness of sin when they come to Me in repentance.  You be faithful to warn them of what is coming and how time is running out to come to Me before it happens.  Like John the Baptist, you must live a life devoted to Me and walk in a manner worthy of your calling so you can make the greatest impact.