You have expressed the desire for a comforting word in the midst of the crises, the turmoil and the circumstantial uncertainties that confront you in these days. And as you read these words that were recorded about My Son, and as you consider what I have said about them to you in the past, you may wonder why I have brought you to this portion and what it has to do with comfort and encouragement in the face of present circumstances. If you are willing to embrace what is true of the life of My Kingdom, and to find your peace and your comfort in it, then I say to you, My son and My daughter, that these words have everything to do with what you desire, for do they not speak of the attitude of the heart in embracing the cross, that is putting to death of the self-life, of self-interest, of self-promotion, yes even of self-protection, in favor of doing My will from the heart cost what it may. And does not such a perspective, as I have told you before, seek that reward which comes only from Me and may never be fulfilled in your earthly life, but as it declares here, will be rewarded most certainly in the resurrection of the righteous. Then if all of this is true, and from the heart you are seeking first My Kingdom, is there not the promise that with it all other things shall be added to you? Does this not include whatever you may need to endure faithfully in the midst of whatever circumstances you may face? Then is it not that My Word is calling you to be faithful first of all in pursuing My Kingdom in your heart and thus having its standard and its values motivating you. And do not these words suggest then that whether in conflict or in calm circumstances, hearts that are set upon My kingdom will seek to continue being faithful in searching out and doing My will. Therefore be assured that this is what you will pursue if your hearts are set upon pleasing Me no matter what the earthly circumstances facing you may be.

Tags: Commitment, God's Kingdom, Heart Comforted

You must understand as you consider this portion that what Moses experienced in the way of rebellion against his leadership, against his position as My chosen leader, was not unique. You must understand that inevitably a leader, even if he is chosen by Me, must face opposition and rebellion. Recall that this was only one of several occasions when Moses was faced with rebellion, even from the ranks of his own people. In fact in the case of Korah and those who followed him and Nadav and Avihu that rebellion arose from his own tribe. But in every case in which Moses had to face rebellion, as it was in this case, even from his own sister and brother, Moses did not seek to defend himself. And you see that in every case in which he faced rebellion, his vindication came from Me. Do you not understand how painful it was for My servant Moses to experience rebellion from his own sister and brother? Can you not consider how his soul would have been exceedingly grieved? But consider how he responded when I severely judged Miriam; for he did not identify with Me as he might have.

He did not consider the judgment as something that he would support, as that which was due. No, instead he cried out to Me for mercy and for healing for Miriam when she was smitten with leprosy. He was not moved to be angry and to say in his heart “Miriam is receiving what she deserves”.

Rather he prayed and cried out to Me, “Please heal her, O God!” Consider this when you will face the inevitable rebellion and opposition; even when it may come from someone close to you. No matter what may be the motivation of the opposers, no matter what may be the extent of the rebellion, if you will remember that you are called and chosen by Me to be in the position you hold, then is it not up to Me to maintain, protect, and vindicate you in that position? Moses knew that he had not sought that position. Remember that when I called him to it, he tried to excuse himself from it, and so he walked in humility because he had thoroughly relinquished his initial ambition and had become thoroughly dependent upon Me to sustain him in the place to which I had called him. Recall that it was only the one time in which he took the position of identifying with Me in anger against the people that he was severely judged for that anger and that false identification. But as he became the leader that I had wanted him to be, he consistently identified with the people. And when they sinned grievously, so much so that I declared I would destroy them and begin again with Moses to form a people for Myself, Moses interceded for the people and prevailed upon Me not to destroy them lest My name be held in contempt among the Gentiles. So I hold this before you as the standard that I want to prevail in your hearts when you face rebellion and opposition against the position to which I have called you. And I want you to recognize that, as it was with Moses, when you choose to trust Me in the face of the opposition and to extend the cry for mercy in the face of My vindicating judgment upon those who may oppose you, then you will see that not only will I establish you, but I will hear the cry of your heart, and through you and through your prayers extend the mercy for which you cry.

Was this not only the way of Moses, but the way of My Son, even as He suffered on the cross? And so would I have it be with all of those who are truly called of Me to a position of leadership.

Tags: Leadership, Rebellion