Breaking the Camp and Advancing (Prayer The activator of Providence)
Theme: Breaking the Camp and Advancing
(Prayer The activator of Providence)
Nehemiah
9: 21 for forty years you sustained them in the wilderness;
they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet
become swollen.
Deuteronomy 1: 7
·
The book of Deuteronomy was written towards the end of the Israelites'
journey in the wilderness, just before they entered the Promised Land. At this
point, they had been in the wilderness for 40 years, during which time they had
set up many camps.
·
Deuteronomy 1:7 specifically refers to the location of Horeb (also known
as Mount Sinai), where the Israelites received the Ten Commandments and other
laws from God. According to Exodus 19:1, the Israelites arrived at Horeb in the
third month after leaving Egypt. They remained camped at the base of the
mountain for several months, during which time they received the Law and built
the Tabernacle (Exodus 20-40).
What happened in the Camp?
·
Worshipping the golden calf: While Moses was on
the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws from God, the
Israelites grew impatient and asked Aaron to make them a golden calf to
worship. This was a clear violation of the first two Commandments (Exodus 32).
·
Complaining and grumbling: Throughout their time
in the wilderness, the Israelites often complained and grumbled against God and
Moses, even though God had provided for them and guided them miraculously. This
attitude of unbelief and ingratitude was often expressed in their words and
actions (Exodus 15:24, 16:2-3, Numbers 11:1-6).
·
Rebellion against God's appointed
leaders: At times, the
Israelites rebelled against God's appointed leaders, such as when Korah and his
followers challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16).
·
Balaam and Balak: The Moabite king
Balak hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, but God prevented him
from doing so (Numbers 22-24).
Things that Happen in Prayers
Colossians 1:9 -14
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about
you, we have not stopped praying for [Ma1] you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge
of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[[Ma2] a]
10 so that you may live a life
worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in
every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [Ma3]
11 being strengthened with all
power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance
and patience, [Ma4]
12 and giving joyful thanks to
the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in
the kingdom of light. [Ma5]
13 For he has rescued us from
the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son
he loves, 14 in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.[Ma6]
How prayers Activate
Providence
·
Provides clarity: Through prayer, one
can gain clarity and insight into their situation and seek guidance from God on
how to move forward.
Ø 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
·
Strengthens faith: Prayer helps to
build faith and trust in God, which can provide the courage and motivation to
step out of one's comfort zone and pursue new opportunities
Ø Matthew 21:22 -
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
·
Increases focus: Prayer can help one
to focus on their goals and priorities, which can prevent distractions and
procrastination that can lead to stagnation.
Ø Philippians 4:6-7 -
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus."
·
Overcomes obstacles: Prayer can help to
overcome obstacles and challenges that may be preventing progress, such as
fear, doubt, or discouragement.
Ø James 5:16 -
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that
you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and
effective."
·
Invites God's intervention:
Through prayer, one can invite God to intervene in their life and bring about
the changes and breakthroughs they need to move forward.
Ø Psalm 34:17 -
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all
their troubles."
Story of Balaam
·
Numbers 22:1-6 - Balak, the king of
Moab, saw how the Israelites had defeated other nations and he was afraid. He
sent messengers to Balaam, a pagan prophet, and asked him to come and curse the
Israelites so that they could be defeated in battle.
·
Numbers 22:7-14 - Balaam asked God if
he should go with the messengers, and God told him not to go. But when Balak
sent more important messengers with the promise of greater rewards, Balaam
asked God again, and this time God allowed him to go.
·
Numbers 22:22-35 - On the way to meet
Balak, Balaam's donkey saw an angel of the Lord and refused to move. Balaam was
angry and beat the donkey, until the Lord opened the donkey's mouth and it
spoke to Balaam. The angel then appeared to Balaam and warned him to only speak
the words that God gave him.
·
Numbers 23:1-12 - Balak took Balaam
to a high place where he could see the Israelites and curse them. But instead
of cursing them, Balaam blessed them, saying that God had promised to bless
them and that no curse could prevail against them.
·
Numbers 24:1-9 - Balak took Balaam
to another high place and asked him to curse the Israelites again. But once
again, Balaam blessed them, saying that a star would come out of Jacob and a
scepter would rise out of Israel. This was seen as a prophecy about the coming
of Jesus Christ.
Events of Nehemiah 8
·
All the people came together
before the Water Gate and asked Ezra to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses
·
On the first day of the seventh
month, Ezra brought out the Law and read it aloud to the assembly
·
Ezra stood on a high wooden
platform built for the occasion, with other priests and leaders beside him
·
As Ezra opened the book, the
people all stood up and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground
·
The Levites instructed the people
in the Law, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people
understood
·
Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites
instructed the people not to mourn or weep, but to celebrate and enjoy choice
food and sweet drinks
·
The people celebrated with great
joy, building temporary shelters and living in them for the festival of the
seventh month
·
Day after day, Ezra read from the
Book of the Law of God, and the people celebrated the festival for seven days,
with an assembly on the eighth day.
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