THE SIN OF PEOR Written by Dot McGinnis
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Even though Zimri knew requirements God placed upon his chosen ones, it appears as if he momentarily lost sight of who he was and what was expected of him. Nothing seemed to be more enticing to him than thoughts of being with Cozbi. His relationship with Lord, his family, and his position in community all seemed to have lost their importance. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. He appears to have had no concern about what effect his actions would have on community of Israel. He gave no thought to lives that would be destroyed on his account. It seems as if Zimri's eyes were temporarily blinded and, in heat of lustful passion, he could see no further ahead than moment at hand--a moment that demanded satisfaction of his lusts. Phinehas used a sword to kill Zimri and Cozbi. Through out scripture sword is often symbolic of either wrath of God, written Word of God, or spoken Word. The sin, in Zimri's life, was exposed by sword of a righteous man. Those, who find themselves entangled in grips of sexual immorality, should take heed. For, sin will eventually be exposed. It might be through wrath of a righteous God. For, sin cannot dwell in His presence. It might be through His Word that exposes thoughts and intents of heart (Hebrews 4:12-13). Or, it might be through words of a righteous man ( 2 Samuel 12). Our God has a standard of holiness and he expects those in positions of leadership to measure up to it. They, sometimes though, fall short of mark and yield to temptation with their eyes wide open, fully aware of what they're doing and consequences involved; yet, yielding still. Just like Zimri, they end up taking values and moral standards they've embraced, for years, and willingly abandon them--all for a moment of pleasure; a pleasure that is short lived, however. For, our God is righteous and holy, and he demands that those who walk before him, as his representatives, walk uprightly and blamelessly. Those who choose to disgrace and defile office of leadership that has been bestowed upon them, as Zimri did, will eventually reap their due reward. They will not go unpunished forever. This is, perhaps, most sobering truth contained in sin of Peor. © by Dot McGinnis http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations-originalwritings/
Dot is a poet and a published author from Pennsylvania who has served as assistant editor for the Christian newspaper Majesty. She is retired yet continues serving the Lord via the Heavenly Inspirations Ministries.
| | - Morning Joy - Written by Dot McGinnis
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My family was my one source of comfort during this time. Their continual reassurance that I'd be well again was a strength to me. The words of hope they spoke helped to bring me through. I remember how I used to ask my mother why God was allowing all of this to happen to me. I'd felt that I must have surely done something terribly wrong to make Him so angry. She'd answer me with tears in her eyes saying, "I don't know why God is allowing this. I only know that He must have something special planned for you someday. I just know that He does--He just has to!" I found myself, in my tormented state, being drawn to Word of God. My sanity began to be restored whenever I started saturating my mind with Word of God. Reading Word brought peace to my heart and healing to my mind. Little by little, I found myself growing stronger until I was once again able to function and to lead a normal life. That's what God's Word did for me. But that's not all that it did. It also birthed within me a hunger to know more about Him, a hunger that eventually resulted in my becoming a born again spirit-filled believer. My mother was right. God did have something special planned for me. Since my conversion, blessings of Lord have never ceased to rest upon my life. At times, I remember all that I went through and think of how differently it might have been if I'd known then what I know now. I was ignorant then of Satan's attacks and knew nothing about spiritual warfare. I never even considered that he was behind all that I suffered. The Bible says that Satan came to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). That's what he tried to do to me. Isn't it strange though that very thing Satan tried to destroy (my mind) is very thing God is using now to bring glory to His name (through my writing)? If someone would have told me when I was struggling to keep my sanity that someday I'd not only be writing for a Christian newspaper but would be assistant editor as well, I would have told them they'd lost their mind! And if I'd known then that Lord would one day send me to our outreach church in Somerset, very town I dreaded, to help establish a children's church there, I would have really been amazed! Especially since they're planning to build a new fellowship right next door to Somerset State Hospital! Ironic, isn't it? Yet God often does things like this in His restoration process, brings us around full circle. Since my battle with mental depression, there have been many trials and tribulations that have come my way and there probably will be many more for me to endure tomorrow. As Job said in chapter 7, verses 1 and 3, "Is there not an, (appointed) warfare and hard labor to man upon earth? So am I allotted months of futile (suffering), and (long) nights of misery are appointed to me" (Amplified). We all have our seasons of sorrow to bear. Remember that even though weeping may endure for a night for you, there's a morning joy coming that will be far beyond anything you could ever even begin to imagine. I know--look what happened to me! (Psalm 30:5b, 126:5-6.)© 1986 by Dot McGinnis http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations-originalwritings/
Dot is a poet and a published author from Pennsylvania who has served as assistant editor for the Christian newspaper Majesty. She is retired yet continues serving the Lord via the Heavenly Inspirations Ministries.
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