Crying out

“So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my Lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned. Please do not let her be as one dead, whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb!” So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!” Then the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and afterward she may be received again.””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭12:9-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Crying out

Those of us who call ourselves Christian are among the most scrutinized and judged people in the world. Every move we make is looked upon by those who are looking for one reason to reject anything we have to say, so that they can allay the conviction over their sin.

Many will question our authority to talk about the way to God, looking upon our flaws, and speaking against us and the Savior we serve. We are called narrow minds and hateful. In the midst of such opposition, it is tempting to pack up our bibles and soapboxes, and walk away, leaving them to the evil one.

Once again I am in Numbers this morning. Moses had married an Ethiopian woman, and was met with criticism from his family as she was not the type of person they desired that he marry.

They then went on to question his authority to lead the children of Israel. In reality they were questioning God’s authority for He had chosen Moses. That was the heart of the matter.

“Then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. Then He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?””
Numbers 12:5-8 NKJV

As the Lord left, Miriam was stricken with leprosy. I have to admit that I would be one, if left only to my fleshly desires, would smirk at how the Lord moved against someone who had criticized me.

Moses demonstrated the love of God, and gave us a type and shadow of Another to come, who would face the same rejection and questioning, who then went to the cross for our sins.

Moses cried out to God for his sister, that she be healed, demonstrating why he was chosen, for he had the heart of God. In that moment, I could hear echoes of another crying out, as Jesus went to the cross willingly.

“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34 NKJV

Brothers and sisters, in the coming days, weeks, months, and perhaps years, we may be under great opposition, as Christians everywhere will face increased persecution. In those times we will be called upon to do things that are seemingly impossible, as we will be charged with sharing the Gospel, even under fire.

We must have heart like Moses, crying out for the souls of the wicked, even as they mean us harm. It is the nature of the Great Commission that the Lord has given us. Jesus Himself endured, and He has given us everything we need to live out the ministry He has set before us.

““If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”
John 15:18-20 NKJV

““If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
John 14:15-18 NKJV

Let us enter this season of evangelism under fire, with confidence, knowing that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and that the Helper is near, God in us, as do what we have been called. Pray for the Lord to give you the will to be faithful. Pray for those in opposition, for they do not know what they do.

Let us also pray for those who are also of the household of faith. Miriam was Moses’ sister, another loved by God. Let us be faithful to pray for one another, especially when there is a conflict that can threaten the unity of the church.

The evil one is driving wedges between people, seeking to cause turmoil and interrupt the work of the Lord. It is on us to seek after the Lord daily, being built up that we be able to withstand the pressure and fulfill our calling.

Remember that the Lord has left us His Helper, and in Him we have peace. Remember also that Jesus is coming again.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.”
John 14:27-28 NKJV

Have a Fabulous Friday!

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