March 16
Num 24:1-25:18 | PS 59:1-17 | Prov 11:14 | Luke 2:1-35
A missionary couple who had served faithfully for years in Africa was returning home to the United States. They returned home with little: broken health, little money, with no one to even meet them. On that same ship that they were on was President Teddy Roosevelt returning from Africa after a hunting expedition. He returned to a brass band, a meeting by the mayor, etc. The missionary was discouraged and felt defeated. They had done so much for the Lord and it seemed it went unrecognized. Once at their apartment, his wife encouraged him to spend some time with the Lord. After prayer, he came back to his wife and told her, that it seemed that the Lord put His hand on his shoulder, and reminded the missionary, saying, "Son, you are not home yet". What honor is it that we seek? Friendship with the world will gain worldly, temporary honor, possibly. But friendship with God, will often go unnoticed to those in the world, but in heaven, where it really counts, what awaits us far exceeds anything the world has to offer.
Notice the words from King Balak to Balaam in Numbers 24:10-11, "Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the Lord has kept you back from honor.”" Balak offered honor and riches to Balaam, and for a time, Balaam resisted. We will read on that Balaam desiring worldly honor and riches, counsels Balak to send the women of Moab to the Israelites to cause them to compromise their walk with God. In reading today we also read of the familiar story surrounding the birth of Jesus in Luke 2. The King of the Universe could have chosen any parents, and any circumstances for the birth. He chose parents who were poor (as evidenced by the sacrifice given surrounding Mary's purification (Luke 2:22-24)), which we know was allowed for those who did not have enough to offer a lamb (Leviticus 12:1-8). He chose a stable/cave, full of animals, smelly, probably full of flies as His birthplace in the small and obscure town of Bethlehem, rather than a palace. His birth was not announced with fanfare, but it was announced by shepherds, the lowest of all professions at that time.
We read in James 4:4, "...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." We all have a choice to make. Friendship and honor by the world often stands in opposition to the things of God. We must stay fixed daily in His Word, the Bible, for even within the church there has been compromise. Many churches, many priests and pastors, have sought to popularize their message to fit in to the world. They compromise God's clear commands in order to grow their church and appear "open-minded" to things which God has already clearly spoken against. Our trust must be in God, and God alone. His Word can be trusted. If a church or pastor preaches any message which contradicts God's message from the Bible, run! I'm not talking about theological disputes, such as end-times views, etc. which exist in any group. I'm talking about God's moral law which has clearly been spelled out for us. As with the missionary above, we may go unrecognized, or even find ourselves attacked and persecuted, but remember, "We are not home yet".
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: