We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. Numbers 13:31.
Young people are needed in the work—those who will undertake the work interestedly and will carry it forward zealously and strongly. But the Lord is, and ever will be, with the old, steadfast leaders who have held fast to the truth in times of peril. When the foundation of the faith of the younger leaders seems to be swept away and their houses falling, the testimony, like that of Caleb, will be heard from the old warriors, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the voice of unbelief was heard. “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” One word of unbelief prepares the way for more. Satan does not easily let alone any person whom he can tempt to dishonor God by expressing unbelief….
What effect did this report have upon the congregation? … “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!” .
Let all read carefully the fourteenth chapter of Numbers, and let them understand that people can make false reports as did these who had been sent on an errand that concerned the movements of more than a million people….
Those who bore the discouraging report and brought discouragement to the whole camp of Israel, when opposed because of their unfaithful witness, served the satanic powers in complete rebellion. And they carried the disappointed congregation with them, in that they believed their interpretation of the land. The congregation took the wrong side, and, inspired by satanic agencies, they cried out against the faithful spies, and bade them stone Joshua and Caleb, who dared to bear the truthful representation in regard to the land.
But there is always a defense provided for those who have borne witness for the truth. What was it that saved the lives of Joshua and Caleb? “And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.” …
We have here a positive evidence that the anger of the Lord was awakened against the rebellious people—those who had been blessed with great light and precious opportunities to know the will of God, which was communicated to them by Christ Himself, their invisible Leader, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.—Letter 106, 1897 (Manuscript Releases 15:289-291).
Christ Triumphant p. 119
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Richie that God will guide him in an important decision.
—–Please pray for Esther and the children as they travel to their great-grandma’s funeral. Please pray for all of the family during this sad time. Rose
—–Praying for a good friend, Glenn, that he will have peace and be strong during this difficult time. He has been fighting cancer for 15 years now. It has metastasized to the bones, appendix, and lung. Hoping they can find a stabilizing treatment so he will be comfortable. Praying more so that he will find Jesus as a personal Savior and Friend. NB
—–Please pray for the safety of my family. I received a very scary phone call todaS and I am very afraid. Please pray for a hedge of protection to be put around every member of my family. I can’t. Connie
—– My fiancée is in Mexico with 3 friends. They were captured by a drug Cartel a week ago. He has contracted Malaria and is very ill. They won’t give him any food and very little water. I’ve tried every legal way and contacts to help to no avail. I’m so afraid he is going to die. Then last night my daughter told me she just found out she possible has leukemia or other. Waiting for results. Please pray for God to intervene. Sandra
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Dear Friends,
Some days, it seems as if everything is going wrong. We’ve been having some of those troubles lately. We have a leak somewhere around our water meter (which the city has decided is on our side rather than theirs like they have been saying); we have a leaky pipe under our bathtub; my car has been at the mechanic’s for at least three weeks, our pickup truck has been broken for months and they don’t know when they will get the part in, and so many other things that it is very frustrating. Even so, that is nothing compared to many people’s problems. Throughout the world there are wars, famines, earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding and other dangerous situations that make our little problems like nothing.
We rarely think about it, but we all are in constant danger that is more dangerous than any physcal danger. Our real danger comes from the evil one, who, like a roaring lion is continually seeking to destroy us not only physically but spiritually as well. (1 Peter 5:8) Paul reminds us that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12 Sadly, the devil is too often successful in his evil designs until we are as Isaiah describes, “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Our “whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6; 1:5, 6
Praise God! We have a Savior, Who gave His life that He may snatch us away from the enemy. He has rescued us from the danger that has eternal consequences. Zechariah saw in vision what God wants to do for us all. He saw Joshua the high priest standing before God clothed in the filthiness of his own sinful character. But God rescued him from the hand of the enemy who was accusing him before the Lord. He writes, “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; …is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” Zech 3:1-4 How comforting to know that we serve a God Who is standing there ready to save us from the troubles that the enemy of souls brings upon us. He longs for us to ask Him to deliver us. David reminds us, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Ps 34:17-19 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:21
May we trust our Rescuer with our whole heart. May we always do those things that are pleasing in His sight. May we allow Him to change us into His image is my prayer.
Rose
Be Careful of Giving a False Report