Day 5: When the wicked advance
The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds (Numbers 17:8).
Sovereign Lord, You are God Almighty—what You open no one can shut, and what You shut no one can open (Isaiah 22:22, Revelation 3:7). You summon, You call, You determine, You establish. Who can thwart what You have purposed? (Isaiah 14:27).
You are our shield and defender, the One who promised Your ancient people, no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).
Father, help us to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14, 1 Peter 3:11) and to walk in wisdom, integrity and uprightness, so that we do not suffer for doing evil (1 Peter 3:17). But when we encounter opposition, and suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20), help us to find encouragement in the reminder from David:
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall (Psalm 27:1-2).
When the wicked advanced against Aaron whom You had ordained under a lasting ordinance (Exodus 29:9), Your vindication was near (Isaiah 50:8); it was swift and unmistakable. You caused Aaron's staff to not just sprout, according to Your promise (Numbers 17:5), but to bud, blossom and produce almonds (Numbers 17:8).
Father, Hannah prayed, "It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken" (1Samuel 2:10). And David prayed, In the shelter of Your presence you hide [those who fear You] from all human intrigues; You keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues (Psalm 31:20).
So in the opposition, the intrigues and the advances against us, we too, pray, and entrust ourselves to You, as the Lord Jesus did (1 Peter 2:23). We remember the words the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).
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