Psalm 121:4 is especially meaningful to me, having just returned from a life-changing trip to Israel!
4Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The promise is that the God who "keeps" Israel, is the same God who "keeps" me! That word is the Hebrew word, "shamar", which means: to have charge of, to guard, to keep watch, to protect, to preserve, to save life! And we can sleep peacefully at night, knowing that He neither sleeps nor even slumbers (gets drowsy)! In fact, look at verse 8 and rejoice!
8The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Thank You, Lord!
1 Corinthians 10 tells us that the children of Israel are to be examples to us. Sometimes they are examples of how to properly follow, obey, fear and revere the Lord. Other times, they are examples of absolutely what NOT to do! Our key verse for today is verse 13:
13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
The Amplified Bible makes this very clear! We all fall into temptation, tests and trials. There is always a way out AND a way back into fellowship with Him! Then verses 14-15:
14Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).15I am speaking as to intelligent (sensible) men. Think over and make up your minds [for yourselves] about what I say. [I appeal to your reason and your discernment in these matters.]
Then remember 1 John 1:9 when you do miss it and get right back into fellowship with Him again! AMEN!
In Joshua 15-16 we see more of the Biblical boundaries for the nation of Israel by tribe. If the people of the world would be people of the WORD, then no nation would have a problem with Israel! Who do they think they are, telling the nation of Israel that they must give up this or that? One day they will ALL see and know the Truth! For their sakes, I hope they come to know soon! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
