At every point in the Bible, the priority of God for the salvation of men is seen. God can reach out to men through different means but the end goal is to save their souls.
In Acts 13:1-22, we see the Holy Spirit commission Paul and Silas to embark on the work of the ministry. As they were about to minister the gospel to Sergius Paulus the governor, a certain sorcerer stood as a hindrance. Immediately this happened, Paul, being filled with the Holy Spiri,t placed a curse of blindness on him.
It goes to show the priority of God, which is salvation. Despite all the benefits men stand to gain as they walk with God, God is more interested in the state of their soul. He wants all men saved, this he revealed through Jesus who died to save humanity. With the availability of ready vessels and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God will reveal himself to all men.
In Numbers 30 outlines instructions for how vows or pledges made to the Lord are to be considered. In Numbers 31, the Israelites go to war against the Midianites and we are reminded that God’s will was the elimination of cultures and practices that would hinder the Israelites from serving Him alone.
God takes opposition to His word seriously. Do you? If it is important to God, then it must be the most important thing to you.
Reflection: Are you actively involved in the ministry of reconciliation?
Today’s reading
Numbers 30-31
Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded:
If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
“Or if a woman makes a vow to the Lord, and binds herself by some agreement while in her father’s house in her youth
Acts 13:1-22
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.