*DAILY MANNA* *TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 2019* *GOD DEFENDS THE FAITHFUL*

*DAILY MANNA*
*TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 2019*

*GOD DEFENDS THE FAITHFUL*
*TEXT:* NUMBERS 12:1-8.
_*🔑KEY VERSE* "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house" (NUMBERS 12:7)._

One of the greatest virtues employers, couples, friends and business partners desire is faithfulness. Faithfulness, loyalty, reliability, allegiance and fidelity, though rare in most human endeavours, rate high in God's economy. To be counted faithful implies that one is reliable, dependable, honest and trustworthy. This feat can only be earned through drawing from the instructions of God's word.

God attested to Moses' faithfulness. As most men and women of high integrity and faithfulness are subjects of attack from others, even so was Moses. His siblings, Aaron and Miriam, derided him and his marriage and challenged his ministry and walk with God. In the face of the unprovoked challenge, Moses kept his peace and was rated as very meek, above all men. No human action escapes the sight of God. He not only attested to Moses' faithfulness but sharply rebuked the erring Aaron and Miriam and defended His faithful servant.

We may draw criticisms and rude remarks from detractors in unexpected quarters. Nevertheless, we must not relent. Man's reactions to our piety should not cause us to lapse into unfaithfulness, compromise, disloyalty or infidelity.

Faithfulness is demanded in our place of work, in private and public life, between husband and wife, in our service unto God and indeed in our day-to-day activities. Faithfulness is threatened by inward and external pressure, enticements, quest for ease of life, inability of people to appreciate us, and absence of immediate punishment of unfaithfulness. Whatever reason there may be, unfaithfulness only draws the anger and judgement of God while faithfulness delivers, even from death!

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* The Lord's eyes never leave the faithful for protection.

*COVER TO COVER* PROVERBS 4-6.

*MEDITATION*

Miriam and Aaron: Faithfulness pays

*1. The Background* Exodus 4:24-26
a. Moses married Zipporah, Jethro's daughter, whom he served for about 40 years.
b. It was an honour for Moses to be married to his Master's daughter.
c. At that time, Moses had never met the Lord and neither was there any law that a Jew should not marry a gentile at that time.
d. So Moses did nothing wrong in marrying this Midianite or Ethiopian.
e. Moses later discovered that the woman would be a serious problem to his great ministry. He therefore separated from her and left her in her father's house with the children.
f. Moses refused to marry another person. However, Jethro brought Zipporah and the children of Moses to him in the wilderness as a reunion Exodus 18:5,6.
g. There was high likelihood that Zipporah, being a gentile, continued to manifest her lawless attitude as a gentile and Moses' siblings, Aaron and Miriam, were not comfortable with it and they started speaking against Moses Numbers 12:1.
*2. Why the confrontation against Moses was evil*
a. Moses had manifested a high level of discipline and consecration by separating, even though not divorced, from his family during the Journey because of his call.
b. Moses made this marriage mistake before his salvation and call, and therefore he should not be crucified for it.
c. Aaron and Miriam were with their own families while Moses sacrificed his family for his calling.
d. Moses was passing through leadership crisis at this time and what Moses needed was encouragement and not accusation for what was not his fault. He was meek so it was the wife who decided to be rebellious.
e. Miriam and Aaron were Moses elderly siblings of the same parents. They suppose to understand the scenario better and give their brother more support and not needless accusations. They sinned against brotherliness.
f. The content of their accusation also showed jealousy and there was no need for it because the calling of Moses was from God and not that he made himself their leader.
h. They were insincere by equating their ministries and closeness with God with that of Moses. It was lack of respect for leadership and for God Himself.
g. Since the complaint has to do with the wife of Moses, and considering the nature of Aaron, Miriam, a woman too, must have been the one who pushed Aaron to join her in the rebellion.
I. Is there anyone who will blame God for judging Miriam who is the less qualified than Aaron to speak against Moses, being a woman who should be a mother to all? It was a failure of womanhood.
j. Leaders who do wrong should be confronted like Paul confronted Peter but it must be righteous and considerate judgement without evil motive and jealousy.
k. In this case, what Miriam and Aaron did was counterproductive and did not solve any problem but created more for Moses and his leadership. God was angry!

*HYMN*
*MORE HOLINESS GIVE ME, MORE STRIVINGS WITHIN*

1. More holiness give me,
More sweetness within,
More patience in suff’ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of His care,
More joy in His service,
More freedom in prayer.
Come, my Savior, and help me,
Comfort, strengthen and keep me;
Thou each moment wilt save me,
Thou art saving me now.

2. More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More zeal for His glory,
More hope in His Word,
More tears for His sorrows,
More pain at His grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.

3. More victory give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More quest for the throne,
More fit for the kingdom,
More useful I’d be,
More blessed and holy,
More, Savior, like Thee.

*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Pray for grace to be an encouragement to leaders and not otherwise.
2. Pray for your leaders that God will encourage, energise and help them in all areas.
3. Pray for families of all workers that Jesus will reign fully in their midst.
4. Pray for victory against attacks on Christian families in the Church.