Chosen

Numbers 33:40–35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23

Chosen
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.- Psalm 65:4

What a blessed place to be allowed into the Presence of the One True and Living God; to be allowed to approach the King of kings and Lord of lords on behalf of ourselves and others. To have the Father’s ear. What a privilege to be chosen for a time such as this.

Obey With No Compromise
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them. – Numbers 33:55-56

God instructed the Israelites to claim the land of Canaan and drive out all the people living there, destroy all their pagan shrines, take possession of the land and settle in. The inhabitants were wicked, and God warned His children that they would become a source of irritation or discomfort if they did not get rid of every last one of them.

Just as the Israelites were hesitant to clear out all the wicked people, we are reluctant to clear out all the sins in our lives. Maybe that is because we are afraid of the changes and potential danger in what lies ahead (just as the Israelites feared the giants), or maybe we are hesitant because the sin seems harmless or we enjoy it. Whatever the reason, we all have idols we don’t want to let go of  (an addiction, an unhealthy relationship, a particular lifestyle). If we allow any “idol” to dominate us, it will cause great grief and it will harass. Sin left to it’s own will eventually lead to death.

Confess your sin (your idols) and ask God for help. He alone can strip off these weights that trip you and slow you down. Obey Him. Follow His instructions without seeking compromise. Love others as He loves you and He will change you, on the inside and outside. In the end there really is no choice. If you don’t do it God’s way, He says in this verse the punishment of those He opposes, will be brought upon you.

We Have Seen Strange Things
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today. – Luke 5:22-26

They saw the healings and were amazed, glorified God but having seen these “strange” things; they were full of fear. They were not used to seeing miracles. Today, we have heard about many miracles of the past, but I find it still an extraordinary thing upon seeing an actual miracle. I will be thrilled when we enter a season that miracles and healing will be ordinary because we are that full of the Spirit.

Strange – unusual, extraordinary, curious

Desiring Only Good
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. – Proverbs 11:23

People that are full of wrath are not right with the Lord. Those that are right with the Lord desire good and only good.

Wrath – Strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful

Please Father!!! Help me, Lord to forsake all resentment. I can’t seem to do it on my own but I know when I give it to You that You can take my heart and make it brand new. I ask in Jesus Holy Name. Amen!