Cherished and Chastened

Read:  Psalm 121 / Proverbs 30 / Numbers 20 / Hebrews 12

 

Psalm 121:2 ~ My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Proverbs 30:4,5 ~ Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Numbers 20:10 ~ And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

Hebrews 12:6 ~ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

 

My help comes from the great Creator

Of heaven, earth, and all within. 

There's no one with a love that's greater

Than Christ who washed away my sin. 

 

He chastens me because I'm cherished,

Like Moses who misused his rod. 

Without His grace I would have perished;

How good it is to trust in God!  

 

Dwelling in the Dark

Read:  Psalm 120 / Proverbs 29 / Numbers 19 / Hebrews 11

 

Psalm 120:6-7 ~ My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Proverbs 29:27 ~ An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Numbers 19:17 ~ For an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin.

Hebrews 11:7 ~ By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

 

Though we are dwelling in the dark

With mockers who delight in scorning,

As Noah, who prepared the ark,

We also publicize God's warning.

 

Today we see, as Christ foretold,

The darkness as in Noah's day. 

We walk by faith as we behold

The light of Christ who leads the way.  

 

Confessing and Correcting

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 28 / Numbers 18 / Hebrews 10

 

Psalm 119:176 ~ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Proverbs 28:13 ~ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Numbers 18:1,5 ~ The LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons... shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood... that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

Hebrews 10:21-23 ~ Having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.... hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.

 

How often have I gone astray

Yet turned again to the embrace

Of Christ who washed my sins away

And draws me with preserving grace. 

 

Why would I cover now from God

The sins I rather should confess?

Let Him correct me with His rod

And lead me by His righteousness! 

 

Blessings in the Blossoms

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 27 / Numbers 17 / Hebrews 9

 

Psalm 119:162 ~ I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Proverbs 27:12 ~ A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Numbers 17:10 ~ And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels... that they die not.

Hebrews 9:3,4 ~ And after the second veil... the Holiest of all; which had... Aaron's rod that budded, and... the covenant.

 

The blessings of our Lord abound

With His eternal truth and grace,

As seen in Scriptures that expound

On Aaron's rod which we may trace. 

 

As Aaron's blossoms once attested,

There was no other living rod. 

So likewise, Christ has manifested

That He’s our risen Lord and God. 

 

 

Pleading in the Plague

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 26 / Numbers 16 / Hebrews 8

 

Psalm 119:154 ~ Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

Proverbs 26:2 ~ As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

Numbers 16:47-48 ~ Aaron... ran into the midst... and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Hebrews 8:1 ~ We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

 

The Lord alone is all we need

Amid this plague of great transgression.

The Christ who died for us will plead

At God's right hand with intercession.

 

Our Savior is our great High Priest

Enthroned in heaven's majesty.

His healing mercy has not ceased;

His truth endures eternally.   

 

Ribbon Reminder

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 25 / Numbers 15 / Hebrews 7

 

Psalm 119:150-151 ~ They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Proverbs 25:12 ~ As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Numbers 15:38-40 ~ Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes... borders a ribbon of blue... that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eye...  and be holy unto your God.

Hebrews 7:19,25 ~ We draw nigh unto God... Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

Though evil still is drawing near,

The Lord is here; His Word is true.

This was a principle made clear

When Israel wore a ribbon blue. 

 

Let not the Lord's reproof be hid;

Let His reminder not grow dim

That calls me, like the ribbon did,

To love the Lord and live for Him.  

 

Foundation of our Faith

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 24 / Numbers 14 / Hebrews 6

 

Psalm 119:144 ~ The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

Proverbs 24:3,27 ~ Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established... Prepare thy work without...  fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Numbers 14:38 ~ But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb...  which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.

Hebrews 6:11 ~ And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.

 

Our faith rests on the firm foundation

Of every promise God shall give. 

We build upon Christ's declaration

That since He lives, we too shall live!

 

As Joshua and Caleb stood

Undaunted by the wrong report,

Let us, who know the Lord is good,

Explain the truth that men distort.  

 

Divine Dominion

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 23 / Numbers 13 / Hebrews 5

 

 Psalm 119:133 ~ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Proverbs 23:26 ~ My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

Numbers 13:30 ~ Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once... we are well able to overcome it.

Hebrews 5:14 ~ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

Let all my steps be ordered now

To follow Christ in all my ways. 

Before Him let me humbly bow

And give to Him a heart of praise. 

 

Let Christ alone have the dominion,

And let my will with His align,

Rejecting every vain opinion

That follows not His way Divine. 

 

Exposing and Exploring

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 22 / Numbers 12 / Hebrews 4

 

 Psalm 119:128 ~ Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

Proverbs 22:19-21 ~ That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day... written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee. 

Numbers 12:7-8 ~ My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches... wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Hebrews 4:12 ~ The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword... even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

 

The Word of God is always right,

Exposing also what is wrong. 

We give our answer in this light

And trust our Savior all day long. 

 

The Word of God shall be our sword,

Dividing sharply in between

The heart and soul which are explored

By God with every motive seen. 

 

 

Mixed Multitude

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 21 / Numbers 11 / Hebrews 3

 

Psalm 119:114-115 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Proverbs 21:30-31 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

Numbers 11:4,23 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?... And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Hebrews 3:15,16 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

 

I'll keep the calling of my God

To love the Lord with all my heart. 

If evildoers count it odd,

Then let them do so and depart.

 

The multitude today is mixed,

But those who by the Lord are pardoned

Are where my fellowship is fixed,

And not with those whose hearts are hardened. 

 

Way of His Word

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 20 / Numbers 10 / Hebrews 2

 

Psalm 119:105 ~ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 20:24 ~ Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

Numbers 10:35 ~ And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

Hebrews 2:1 ~ Give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

 

There is a path that God has set

With light that never shall grow dim.

His Word has never failed yet

To show the way that pleases Him. 

 

We ought to give more earnest heed

To what the Word of God has said,

For truth shall make us free indeed,

And we shall thus be safely led.  

His Law and His Light

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 19 / Numbers 9 / Hebrews 1

 

Psalm 119:97,104 ~ O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day... therefore I hate every false way.

Proverbs 19:27 ~ Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

Numbers 9:17 ~ When the cloud was taken... Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode... Israel pitched.

Hebrews 1:1-3 ~ God... hath... spoken unto us by his Son... by whom... he made the world... when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

 

Upon God’s law we meditate;

We love His Word that makes us wise,

And thus, we also learn to hate

The falsehood of satanic lies.

 

For just as Israel was led,

Sustained by God each day and night,

By God’s Word we are daily fed

As we are led forth by His light.  

 

Saved and Sanctified

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 18 / Numbers 8 / Philemon 1 

 

Psalm 119:94 ~ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

Proverbs 18:10 ~ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Numbers 8:6,16 ~ Take the Levites... and cleanse them... for they are wholly given unto me. 

Philemon 17-18 ~ Receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account. 

 

By Christ I’m saved and sanctified;

I’ve found in Him my Hiding Place.

It was for me my Savior died

To justify me by His grace. 

 

My sins are cleansed without exemption;

He clothed me in His righteousness. 

He gave Himself for my redemption;

His law demanded nothing less. 

 

Speaking in the Smoke

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 17 / Numbers 7 / Titus 3

 

Psalm 119:83 ~ I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

Proverbs 17:17 ~A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Numbers 7:89 ~ When Moses was gone into the tabernacle... he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim: and he spake unto him.

Titus 3:4 ~ The kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared.

 

The smoke that would obscure my view

Shall never change God's faithful Word.

The Lord remains forever true

Who, on the cross, for me endured. 

 

The voice between the cherubim

Which spoke to Moses from the ark

Still speaks to those who trust in Him

When clouds of smoke are thick and dark. 

 

Fashioned by His Favor

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 16 / Numbers 6 / Titus 2

 

Psalm 119:73. ~ Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

Proverbs 16:6 ~ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Numbers 6:24-26 ~ The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Titus 2:11-14 ~ The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men...  we should live...  looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

The hands that formed us in creation

Have fashioned us with saving favor. 

His grace has blessed us with salvation

Through Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

 

The Lord who shined on us His face

Shall come again, we are assured. 

Yet now He fashions us by grace

And purifies us with His Word. 

 

Answer and Arrest

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 15 / Numbers 5 / Titus 1

 

Psalm 119:66 ~ Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Proverbs 15:28 ~ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Numbers 5:23 ~ And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water.

Titus 1:10,11 ~ There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers... whose mouths must be stopped. 

 

We need good judgment in our speech

That we may answer and arrest

The falsehood many blindly teach

Devoid of proof we have addressed. 

 

As evidence arrests the liar,

The Gospel satisfies the thirst

For answers honest hearts desire

Which save and bless those who were cursed. 

Outlook Onward

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 14 / Numbers 4 / 2 Tim. 4

Psalm 119:59 ~ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Proverbs 14:8 ~ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Numbers 4:49 ~ According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered... according to his service, and according to his burden... as the LORD commanded Moses.

2 Timothy 4:7,8 ~ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.

 

My outlook on the road ahead,

Before I trusted Christ my Savior,

Was filled with darkness and with dread

Until I found His gracious favor.

 

I turned and placed my trust in Him,

Departing from that dreadful path. 

My outlook onward is not grim,

For Christ delivered me from wrath. 

 

Comprehend the Consequence

Read:  Psalm 119 / Proverbs 13 / Numbers 3 / 2 Tim. 3

 

Psalm 119:53 ~ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

Proverbs 13:15 ~ Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Numbers 3:9 ~ The Levites… are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

2 Timothy 3:1,16 ~ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come... All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

 

How horrifying is the end

Of sinners who reject the Savior!

They surely do not comprehend

The consequence of their behavior!

 

But God imparts His understanding 

To humble hearts that will be stirred

To hear His calling and commanding

To come to Christ and trust His Word.