MONDAY 14 November, 2016
A Man’s Request
So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to the king. And there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. - 2 Samuel 24:8-9
Joab fulfilled his king’s request––it took a total of nine months and twenty days––imagine that! What a waste of time and resources, there was no point or benefit from the journey taken––it was unfruitful and sinful. Yet Joab obeyed his king rather than God. Do you stand for righteousness when being told to do something against God’s Word?
The new Pharaoh of Egypt commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all the baby boys born to the Hebrew women to curb their growing numbers. Pharaoh feared they would grow stronger and rise up with their enemies against the Egyptian nation. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, made their decision to fear God above man and would not kill the Hebrew male babies (Exodus 1:8-10, 15). They took a stand for righteousness.
Exodus 1:17 tells us of the midwives courageous stand against the king’s cruel command: But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. God honored these brave women: …And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them (Exodus 1:21).
When it comes down to making a decision contrary to God’s Word, we should always fear God above man. Why? The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lordshall be safe (Proverb 29:25). So whom do you fear?
…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
~Matthew 10:28~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!