Sat.’s Devo - The Spiritual War

Read: Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3 Yesterday we read where Moses was getting overwhelmed with leading this multitude of people, so God put his spirit in 70 men that Moses chose. When the Spirit of God came upon them, they all prophesied. Two of the men chosen didn’t come to the meeting and they still prophesied in the camp. Joshua protested these two and Moses told Joshua not to be jealous of them for his sake. He wished that God would put his Spirit on all of them. *** Yesterday we also read that the people craved the meat they had in Egypt. Moses told God that it was impossible to find meat for all these people in the wilderness. Well, the God of the impossible did it again. He sent quail that flew three feet from the ground and they could catch them in their hands. They caught quail all day, that night and the next day. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They began gorging themselves on the meat and God was so angry as he watched them that he sent a plague and many died. The place was called Kibroth-hattaavah which means “graves of gluttony”. *** Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses because he married a Cushite woman. They were really jealous of his position over the people. They asked “Has God spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken though us too?” *** Immediately, God called Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to the Tabernacle. God called Aaron and Miriam to step forward and he spoke to them. He told them how he revealed himself to prophets through visions, dreams and riddles but he spoke plainly to Moses, face to face. God was angry with them and when his presence lifted, Miriam was white with leprosy. When Aaron saw it he cried out for Moses to pray for her. Moses prayed for God to heal her. God said that she would have to stay outside the camp for seven days and then she would be healed. Moses was more humble than any other person on the earth. *** We see the spiritual war that is waging under the surface as Satan tries to stir up division and chaos. We have to recognize it for what it is and choose not to participate. *** They traveled again and camped in the wilderness of Paran. God told Moses to send out a leader from each of the tribes to explore the land he had promised them. They were to go into the hill country and bring back a report about the land, the people, the towns and the soil and crops. *** They went out and explored around the city of Hebron. They brought back a cluster of grapes that was so large it took two of them to carry it on a pole. They also brought back samples of the pomegranates and figs. *** When they returned they gave their report. The land was fertile and beautiful but the people living there were powerful and their towns were large and fortified. They’re were also giants there. Caleb stood and quieted the people and encouraged them to take the land because they could surely conquer it. But the other men who were afraid spread their fear throughout the camp and the people listened to the bad report instead of Caleb’s report of victory. *** In Mark, Jesus was with his disciples eating the last meal with them. He took the cup and offered it to them saying that this was his blood. The next time he drank wine it would be new wine in the kingdom of God. Then they sang a song and went out to the mount of Olives. *** Jesus told them that the shepherd would be smitten that night and they would be scattered like sheep. But, when he had risen, He would go before them into Galilee. They had no idea what he meant till after he had risen. *** Peter said he would not scatter and Jesus told him he would deny him three times that night before the rooster crowed. *** They came to Gethsemene where Jesus told them to sit and pray. He went off from them and prayed sorrowfully. He prayed that the hour he was facing would be passed from him. But he wanted what God’s will was, not his will. *** When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He pointed out to Peter who had bragged about not scattering, that he couldn’t stay awake for an hour. He left them again to pray and came back to find them asleep again. *** Jesus told them to get up because his betrayer was near. Judas walked up with a great multitude with swords and staves. He kissed Jesus to show which one he was. The men with him took him and Peter drew a sword and cut off the high priests servant’s ear. *** Jesus asked them why they didn’t arrest him in the Temple out in the open. He was pointing out the fact that they had to do their evil in the cover of darkness. *** All the disciples scattered just as Jesus had said they would. One young man who had followed Jesus had a long linen shirt on. When they grabbed him he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked. All through scripture you find these men in linen garments who I wonder if they aren’t the priests of God’s Tabernacle in heaven. The Bible calls them watchers. *** Lord, it is encouraging to know that Jesus’ life was orchestrated and you knew every move that the enemy was going to make and were prepared. You are also prepared for every move the enemy is doing now and your plan will be done. We trust in your perfect plan that leads to victory. May we be awake and discerning and not fall for Satan's tricks.