17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. ON THE WAY, HE TOOK THE TWELVE ASIDE AND SAID TO THEM, Matthew 20
THOSE WE WALK WITH, our close friends, share our secrets and the Lord is just the same. Of course, we’ll choose to be closer to some than others, but friends share the fabric of one another’s lives. Jesus shared as they were walking, but He drew the Twelve aside (there was a personal element) to tell them what was going to happen to Him in the near future.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse
BUT TAKES THE UPRIGHT INTO HIS CONFIDENCE. Proverbs 3
32 For the perverse are an abomination [extremely disgusting and detestable] to the Lord; but HIS CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNION AND SECRET COUNSEL are with the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him). Proverbs 3, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, AMPC
Many verses in the Book of Proverbs explain the same truth by contrasting two opposites. The Lord will speak to and share counsel with those who are righteous but not with the corrupt. The closer our walk with the Lord the more we can know His heart for ourselves and others around us. Difficulties and troubles often drive us closer to our friends and also to the Lord. We said yesterday that Joseph didn’t understand the path his life had taken, but when the time came, God released him and lifted him very high in Egypt, a type of this world. May the Lord raise up many Josephs to high office and positions of influence at this time.
10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you –
better a neighbour nearby than a relative far away. Proverbs 27
Sometimes God gives revelation and understanding so that we can pray and prevent tragedy. There are many examples of Believers today experiencing heavy burdens to pray for someone at the exact time they were in danger or facing life threatening situations. When we have cultivated sensitivity to the voice of the Spirit we can be used for Kingdom purposes today.
God revealed to Abraham that He had come down to see for Himself the wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, whose nephew Lot was living there, began to negotiate with God over His judgment of these towns.
17 Then the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
32 Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’
He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’ Genesis 18
Abraham negotiated with God to be lenient for the sake of the righteous and God listened to him. Chuck Pierce recently released a word calling people to, ‘Negotiate with God’, concerning future events. He also said people had to get to, ‘Get to the bottom line’. There will be times when those who are walking with God, watching and waiting before Him, can turn away judgment that otherwise must come.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.