Both Miriam and Aaron were rebelling against Moses; not because of
his leadership, but because of his choice of a wife.
Where did
this criticism come from?
From the evil one, the one who thrives
on conflict. A whisper was all it took for them to jump on the bandwagon
of being critical. They had forgotten that when we concur with the evil
one, he will swallow us whole, leaving us wallowing in despair.
God came through big time for Moses. He responded to Miriam and Aaron:
"Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance
to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped
forward, he said, 'Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is
among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.
But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my
house.'"" Numbers 12:5-7 (NIV)
Our Heavenly Father informed them
that they were completely wrong. They were, in fact, creating havoc
instead of unity!
Miriam, the leader in this case, ended up
leprous: "When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood
Miriam--leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had
leprosy." Numbers 12:10 (NIV)
When we concur with the evil one,
there are always consequences. He does not have our best interests at
heart. In fact, he wants to destroy us! Negativity, on the other hand,
is not part of God. He is an encourager.
Miriam was healed,
thanks to Moses who prayed for her: "So Moses cried out to the LORD, 'O
God, please heal her!' The LORD replied to Moses, 'If her father had
spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days?
Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be
brought back.'" Numbers 12:13-14 (NIV)
In this day and age, too
many concur with the evil one. At times, they don't even know they are
dealing with the devil; but when we concur with the evil one, we will
have repercussions.
I met a guy who had been completely healed by
our loving Father from a a chronic autoimmune disease that attacked his
spine. Then he started to doubt. The evil one was after him and he
started to concur that he might lose his healing. Within days, he lost
his healing. The devil will do that. He will make us doubt our Father,
and then we are toast. My friend is now paralyzed once again and he
regrets concurring with these notions which came from the evil one.
I will stand by him that he will again be healed, and I hope you
will too. Just like Moses prayed for the healing of Miriam, healing will
reoccur in this man's life as well!
Last time I shared a story
from Hilarion who lived in the 4th centiry. I would like to share this
with you again, as this is what prompted me to share about concurring
with the evil one:
" A charioteer, from Gaza also, was struck by
a demon while in his chariot and his whole body so completely stiffened
that he could neither move his hand nor bend his neck. He was carried on
a stretcher to the saint, able to move only his tongue to indicate his
petition, but he heard and understood that he could not be healed until
he believed in Jesus and renounced his former occupation. He believed,
he promised, he was cured, rejoicing more in the salvation of his soul
than in the cure of his body." (The Life OF Saint Hilarion, 15:254).
The evil one would do anything to take our health away. In fact, he
wants to destroy us completely.
A few months ago, I was diagnosed
with glaucoma. The doctor wanted to see me to document how far it had
spread. While I was driving to the appointment, I, too, was attacked by
the evil one, telling me: "You have glaucoma. Live with it. Nothing can
stop this" At first I listened to him, but then, thanks to the Holy
Spirit, I was able to tell him to go away. I declared: "I will trust
solely in my Heavenly Father!"
The doctor examined me and was
completely astonished: "You do not have glaucoma any longer!"
I'd
rather stand with God at all times. He loves me and I love Him. He is
the best Father in all the world, and He loves you too!
Rob
Chaffart
Concurring with the Evil One. Miracles from the Past, Part 4
Today's Bible Verse:
"Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite
wife, for he had married a Cushite. 'Has the LORD spoken only through
Moses?' They asked. 'Hasn't he also spoken through us?' And the LORD
heard this." (Numbers 12:1-2 NIV)
Concurring with the Evil One. Miracles from the Past, Part 4
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