Genesis 49

The words spoken to the brothers were based often on what their lives had been like - what they had done.  So, consequences were spoken out, divinely.  Some of the pronouncements were truly prophetic and not related to prior action.  I guess the thing that speaks to me is that if I want a better blessing, a brighter future, I need to be more obedient in the present.  I can't change the past, nor can I change what God had ordained for me; but I can comply, humbly and intentionally in the dailyness of my life.  

Because you went up to your father’s bed; 
Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.

Also, in the case of Reuben, that last line spoken of him still rings with the hurt,  betrayal and disbelief of his father.  This challenges me to be very careful with the what I can do, what I must do and what I should do choices in my life.  

Lord, please help me to live a life pleasing to You all the days of my life.  Keep me from any willful sin, any wasteful ways and any wanton preoccupations.  May my spiritual, emotional, academic, familial and physical (and etc.) life bring You glory and pleasure.  I pray that where I have acted in rebellion and with intent to harm another that You would divinely release them from the pain and hurt of that wrong.  Guide me to apologize and make every effort to right any situation which You wish me to address.  I thank You for Your amazing gift of forgiveness and pray that I may do so to those who have caused me harm ... even if the act is presently being perpetrated or is yet to come.  

Micah 5

And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.  

I confess, Lord, that not much of this chapter makes sense to me.  Perhaps if I were reading it in context; but it matters not as I have You, dear Friend and Counselor to teach me.   And I have the mind of Christ to help me think; so it seems the mystery is intentional, for now.  I thank You, precious Lord for that consideration.  

What does strike me is that as the Lord will get up and shepherd His flock in the LORD's strength and in the "majesty of the Name of the LORD His God," I should do likewise.  I should get up from where I want to stay still and hide, I must operate and serve in my Heavenly Father's strength - or it will all fail.  His fame, His glory and His reputation are the goal - the majesty of the Name.  Lord God, please help me to follow Your example, in the majesty of Your Name.

Isaiah 7

Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, ... If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.

 Oh, Lord, You do not call me to be fainthearted nor timid.  You have promised struggles and battles, persecutions and prejudices - but in and through it all, You say to stand firm and to not be afraid, to be alert, self-controlled and calm, do not fear.  And You call me to believe.  Lord, I want to believe You.  I want to grow in my faith and my confidence in You - not only that You can act; but that You will.  I believe You.  I believe in You.  I believe Your words and promises - steady my heart that I may last to the glory of Your great Name and Your endless Kingdom.

Numbers 36

Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance.

... for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  Romans 11:29

 I praise You Almighty Father that You do not change or shift.  That what You give, You give.  I am grateful for the individual attention You pay to each one, for the unique plans You have for every person, for the personal inheritance for each person.  I praise You for Your wisdom, Your omnipotence, Your organization.  You are worthy to praise.

Numbers 35

... for murder pollutes the land.  ... You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there Myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.

Jesus' standards are hatred equals murder and thinking is as significant as doing.  The thought pollutes the land, the mind, the relationships.  Just as the ancient children of God were to not pollute the land, we are not to pollute ourselves for He, Himself lives in us.

Holy Spirit, be holier than ever in me as I am charged by these words to keep myself from the uncleanness of the world's protocol.  Pure religion is to look after widows and orphans and to keep myself from being polluted by the world.  I want this.  Please help me to pursue the undefiled faith You call me to live.

Numbers 33:1-4, 50-56

At the LORD’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. 

Thank You Lord, that You desire us to remember from whence we came - our history with You.  We forget, we would rewrite or would remember wrongly.  You are the One who brings us out of captivity.  You are the One who gives us spacious places and green pastures.  Only You.  May we praise You as we inhabit Your abundant gifts of life and provision.  May we never cherish the gifts more than You.  Keep us close and teach us to remember, dear Lord, for we forget.

Numbers 32

Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the land which the LORD has given them?

What can seem to me a good, wise and logical decision can be discouraging and a stumbling block to others.  Lord, help me to have Your wisdom in my choices.  Let me not choose for me before I know what pleases You.  I need help with this today, as I don't naturally like to wait.  Please inform me of Your divine preference, that I may follow suit.  To the praise of Your Name, not mine.