The world is in turmoil. Society is at a crossroad. The older generation is giving way to the newer generation with swift changes. Finance, politics, religion, culture, diseases, the climate, are seeing rapid changes. Here, we provide thought-provoking insights into the current and impending crises facing the world.
His Banner Over Me is Love
The protecting love of God towards His children is shown throughout the Bible. While Israel was encamped on the borders of Moab, their enemies plotted their downfall. While they slept, their end was being designed. However, their Protector destroyed the plans of their enemies and made them victorious.
Many are tempted to doubt the amazing grace and providential care of God amidst these troublous times…
The story of Balaam and Israel (Numbers 22-24), presents a most heart-warming assurance of God’s everlasting care for His children. Whilst Israel was fast asleep under the burning lights from the divine clouds shadowing them, Satan was plotting their downfall through Balak. Sourcing the help of Balaam, Balak, King of Moab (descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew), tried to curse innocent Israel. Yet, unbeknown to Israel, God was fighting for them behind the scenes.
The glory of God, as a cloud, protected Israel by day and by night. It kept them safe and free from all physical and spiritual harm. He watched over them as a flock.
Through visions, a talking donkey and an angel, Jehovah told Balaam about the fruitlessness of his efforts to curse Israel. As much as Balaam tried to curse Israel, he only opened his mouth to bless them. Standing by seven alters, Balaam exclaimed in a trance:
“How can I curse those whom GOD hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?”
While we sleep peacefully at night, God watches over us with love. His banner over us, is love.
Again, Balaam prophesied:
“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless, and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and a shout of a King is among them“
No matter how hard Balack tried to make Balaam curse Israel, he ended up blessing them. Balaam was overtaken by the power of God, and he could not curse Israel. His banner over Israel, was love.
Oh, glorious thought! Oh, merciful and abundant grace! Behold how Jehovah fights, defends and protects His weak children! Oh, that God would not find iniquity in us. That His presence and shout may be among us! Indeed, King David was right when he sang:
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”!!! (Psalm 91:1)
Jesus reiterated this protecting care of God thus:
“Behold the fowls of the air…Consider the lillies of the field…wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, oh ye of little faith?… But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow… Sufficient unto the day is THE evil thereof ” (Matthew 6:25-34)
Using sparrows in the air and lillies on the field, Jesus told his audience of the abiding care of God for His creation. He fastened His hearers’ faith in God by showing them how He cared for the things around them: are you not more than a sparrow and a lilly?
Friends, where is our faith? As long as we walk in the counsels of Jehovah and seek His righteousness, Emmanuel shall be with us. He shall ward off our enemies and scatter their plots. He shall feed and clothe us. What Satan failed to achieve by cursing, he got by stratagem: he invited the men of Israel to eat and party with the Moabites at a feast organized in honour of their god, Peor. During this feast, the Israelites ate food sacrificed to idols and slept with their women. It took the adultery and idolatry of Israel with the women and gods of Moab to forfeit Jehovah’s protection: more than 20,000 Israelites died from God’s wrath. Notwithstanding, Moab did not escape. She was attacked and defeated by Israel and Balam and Balack were killed.
Under the influence of food sacrificed to baal peor, wine (alcohol), music, and beautiful women, Israel worshipped the idol of Moab, baal Peor. By this act, they destroyed themselves and brought immediate divine retribution on themselves.
On this beautiful holy Sabbath, may we ever remember that “His Banner over me (us), is Love”(Song of Solomon 2:4). May we draw closer to God in prayer and Bible study, and His angels shall grace our homes with Heavenly peace. Peace, grace, and love to all the saints of God. Happy Sabbath.
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False prophets and false teachers have always abounded to deceive and draw people away from the truth. It happened in the past and shall be repeated again in the near future.
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I have been bereaved of my son and husband... I was home in Nazareth when the news reached me. I couldn’t believe it. I was alone and had little support so I gathered strength and prepared to travel South to Jerusalem. Oh that I had the wings of a bird! Alas, I had to travel through the night on a slow ass: every passing time increased my anxiety. The prophecies of Ana and Simeon kept echoing in my head…Read more below👇🏼:the-torch-bearer.com/mary/Another weekend is here: so soon! Keep your house in order and enjoy the Sabbath in peace. Happy Sabbath🙌🏽🌹🕊🥰 ... See MoreSee Less
The Lamb Now Speaks Like a Dragon: the nations are angryIt is becoming a cliche and almost repetitious to claim that the world is on a verge of a stupendous and unprecedented crises. What is awaiting us in the few years ahead? Indeed, the recent speech by the Canadian Prime Minister, Mike Carney, at Davos (the World Economic Forum) about the state of the world in terms of politics, economy, commerce, and power, summarizes it all…...... See MoreSee Less
An in‑depth prophetic analysis of Revelation 13, global tensions, rising defense spending, and the nations’ growing anger. Explore how biblical prophecy intersects with today’s geopolitical shif...
