Day 35 of My 5th Bible Study Journey

Day 35, 4 February 2025

1) Exodus 16, Exodus 17, Exodus 18 

EXODUS 16

Bread and Quail

1 (Nu 33:10-12) Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of 
the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between 
Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their 
departing out of the land of Egypt. 
2 (Ex 15:24; 1Co 10:10) The whole congregation of the children of Israel 
murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 
3 (La 4:9; Ex 17:3) Now the children of Israel said to them, "Would to 
God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, 
when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, 
for you have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole 
assembly with hunger." (Whine and Cry impatiently)
4 (Ex 15:25; Ps 78:24-25) Then the Lord said to Moses, 
"Indeed, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall 
go out and gather a certain amount every day, that I may test them,
 whether they will walk in My law or not. 
5 And it shall come to pass that on the sixth day they shall prepare 
that which they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather daily."
6 (Ex 6:7; 16:12-13) So Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, 
"At evening, you shall know that the Lord has brought you out from 
the land of Egypt. 
7 (Nu 16:11; Ex 16:10) And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, 
because He hears your murmurings against the Lord. And what are 
we that you murmur against us?" 
8 (1Sa 8:7; Ro 13:2) Then Moses said, "This will happen when the Lord 
gives you meat to eat in the evening and bread in the morning to satisfy,
 for the Lord hears your murmurings which you murmur against Him. 
And what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord."
9 (Nu 16:16) Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to all the congregation 
of the children of Israel, 'Come near before the Lord, for He has 
heard your murmurings.'"
10 (Ex 16:7; Nu 16:19) So as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation 
of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, 
and indeed, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 
12 (Ex 6:7; Joel 3:17) "I have heard the murmurings 
of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, 'In the evening 
you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread.
 And you shall know that I am the Lord your God.' "
13 (Nu 11:9; Ps 78:27-28) So in the evening the quail came up 
and covered the camp, and in the morning a layer of dew 
was surrounding the camp. 
14 (Nu 11:7-9; Ps 105:40) When the layer of dew evaporated, 
on the surface of the wilderness there lay a small flaky thing, 
as fine as the frost on the ground. 
15 (Ex 16:4; Dt 8:3) When the children of Israel saw it, they said one
 to another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was.
And Moses said to them, "This is the bread which the Lord has 
given you to eat. 
16 (Ex 16:36) This is what the Lord has commanded, 'Every man is 
to gather of it according to what he will eat, an omer 
(About 9 inches, or 23 centimeters. )
for every man, according to the number of your people. 
Every man should take for them for whoever lives in his tent.'"
17 The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 
18 When they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had 
nothing left over, and he that gathered little had no lack. 
They gathered every man according what he could eat.
19 (Ex 12:10; 23:18) Moses said to them, 
"Let no man leave any of it until the morning."
20 However, they did not listen to Moses, and some of them left part of it 
until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank, 
and Moses was angry with them.
21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according 
to what he could eat. And when the sun got hot, it melted. 
22 (Ex 16:5) Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, 
two omers (Likely about 6 pounds, or 2.8 kilograms.) per man, 
and then all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses. 
23 (Lev 23:3; Ex 20:8-11) He said to them, "This is what the Lord has said,
 'Tomorrow is the Sabbath, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. 
Bake that which you will bake today, and boil that you will boil, 
and all that which remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept
 until the morning.'"
24 (Ex 16:20) So they laid it up until the morning, just as Moses commanded,
 and it did not stink, nor was there any worm in it. 
25 (Ex 16:23) Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord. 
Today you will not find it in the field. 
26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day,
 the Sabbath, there will be none."
27 It happened that some of the people went out on
 the seventh day to gather, but they found nothing. 
28 (Ps 78:10; 2Ki 17:14) Then the Lord said to Moses,
 "How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions? 
29 See, the Lord has given you the Sabbath;
therefore He gives you bread for two days
 on the sixth day. Every man remain in his place. 
Let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."
30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
31 (Ex 16:15) The house of Israel named it manna, and it was 
like coriander seed and was white, 
and its taste was like wafers made with honey. 
32 Then Moses said, "This is what the Lord has commanded, 
'Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations to come, 
so that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness,
 when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.'"
33 (Heb 9:4) Moses said to Aaron, "Take a pot 
and put an omer full of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, 
to be kept for generations to come."
34 (Ex 25:16; 25:21) As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it
 before the testimony, to be kept. 
35 (Jos 5:12; Ne 9:20-21) The children of Israel ate manna forty years,
 until they came to an inhabited land. 
They ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
36 (Ex 16:16) Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah.

Exodus 16
[1] And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the
children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim
and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing
out of the land of Egypt.
[2] And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against
Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
[3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by
the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots,
and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into
this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
[4] Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for
you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I
may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
[5] And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that
which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
[6] And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then
ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:
[7] And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he
heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur
against us?
[8] And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the
evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the
LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we?
your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
[9] And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the
children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your
murmurings.
[10] And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the
children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the
glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
[11] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[12] I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them,
saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled
with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
[13] And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the
camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
[14] And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the
wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the
ground.
[15] And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is
manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the
bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
[16] This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man
according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of
your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
[17] And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
[18] And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had
nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every
man according to his eating.
[19] And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.
[20] Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of
it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with
them.
[21] And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating:
and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
[22] And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much
bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came
and told Moses.
[23] And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow
is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake
to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up
for you to be kept until the morning.
[24] And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not
stink, neither was there any worm therein.
[25] And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD:
to day ye shall not find it in the field.
[26] Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the
sabbath, in it there shall be none.
[27] And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the
seventh day for to gather, and they found none.
[28] And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my
commandments and my laws?
[29] See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth
you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place,
let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
[30] So the people rested on the seventh day.
[31] And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like
coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
[32] And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an
omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread
wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from
the land of Egypt.
[33] And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna
therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
[34] As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony,
to be kept.
[35] And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came
to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of
the land of Canaan.
[36] Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah. 

EXODUS 17

Water From the Rock

1 (Ex 16:1; 19:2)All the congregation of the children of Israel 
journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin, from place to place, 
according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim,
but there was no water for the people to drink. 
2 (Dt 6:16; Ps 78:18) Therefore the people contended with Moses and said, 
"Give us water so that we may drink."
And Moses said to them, 
"Why do you contend with me? Why do you test the Lord?"
3 (Ex 16:2-3) But the people thirsted there for water, 
and the people murmured against Moses, and said, 
"Why is it that you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us 
and our children and our livestock with thirst?"
4 (Nu 14:10; 1Sa 30:6) Then Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, 
"What shall I do to this people? They are almost ready to stone me."
5 The Lord said to Moses, "Pass over before the people, 
and take with you some of the elders of Israel. 
And take in your hand your rod with which you struck the Nile, and go. 
6 (Ps 114:8; 1Co 10:4) Indeed, I will stand before you there on the rock
 in Horeb, and you shall strike the rock,
 and there water shall come out of it, so that the people may drink." 
Then Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 
7 (Nu 20:13; Ps 81:7) He called the name of the place Massah, 
and Meribah, because of the contending of the children of Israel, 
and because they tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us, or not?"

[1] And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the
wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the
LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to
drink.
[2] Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that
we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do
ye tempt the LORD?
[3] And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against
Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of
Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
[4] And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people?
they be almost ready to stone me.
[5] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with
thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river,
take in thine hand, and go.
[6] Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou
shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people
may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
[7] And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the
chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD,
saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

The Amalekites Defeated

8 (Ge 36:12; 1Sa 15:2) Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 
9 (Ex 4:20; 24:13) So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, 
fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with
 the rod of God in my hand."
10 (Ex 24:14) So Joshua did as Moses had said to him 
and fought against Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, 
and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 
11 (1Ti 2:8; Jas 5:16) Now when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, 
but when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 
12 (Isa 35:3) But Moses' hands became heavy. So they took a stone, 
and put it under him, and he sat on it. 
And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, 
and the other on the other side. 
And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 
(Support is always great to have)
13 So Joshua laid low Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 (Ex 34:27; 1Sa 30:17) Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this as 
a memorial in a book and rehearse it to Joshua, 
for I will utterly wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."
15 (Ge 22:14; Jdg 6:24) Then Moses built an altar and called the name of it,
 The Lord Is My Banner; 
16 for he said, "For the Lord has sworn that the Lord will have
 war with Amalek from generation to generation."

[8] Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
[9] And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with
Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in
mine hand.
[10] So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and
Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
[11] And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel
prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
[12] But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under
him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on
the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady
until the going down of the sun.
[13] And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the
sword.
[14] And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and
rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the
remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
[15] And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:
[16] For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war
with Amalek from generation to generation. 

EXODUS 18

Jethro Counsels Moses

1 (Ex 2:16; 3:1) Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, 
heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel His people,
 and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 (Ex 2:21) Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, 
after he had sent her back, 
3 (Ex 2:22; Ac 7:29; Ex 4:20) and her two sons, one of whom was named Gershom;
for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land."
4 And the name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, "The God of my father 
was my help, and He delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh."
5 (Ex 3:1; 3:12) Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons 
and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he camped at the mountain
 of God. 
6 And he said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law, Jethro, am coming to you,
 and your wife, and her two sons with her."
7 (Ge 29:13; 14:17) Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, 
and bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of the other's 
welfare, and then they went into the tent. 
8 (Nu 20:14; Ne 9:9-15) Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord
 had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, 
and all the hardships that had come on them along the way, 
and how the Lord delivered them.
9 Jethro rejoiced because of all the goodness which the Lord had 
done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 
10 (Ge 14:20; 2Sa 18:28) Jethro said, "The Lord be blessed, who has delivered 
you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who 
has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 
11 (2Ch 2:5; Lk 1:51) Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, 
for in the matter in which they treated the people insolently, 
He was above them." 
12 (Ge 31:54; Dt 12:7) Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, 
took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, 
and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with 
Moses' father-in-law before God.
13 On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood 
around Moses from the morning until the evening. 
14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people,
 he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people?
 Why are you sitting by yourself while all the people stand 
around you from morning until evening?"
15 (Nu 15:34; 27:5) Then Moses said to his father-in-law, 
"Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 
16 (Ex 24:14; Dt 4:5) When they have a dispute, it comes to me,
 and I judge between a man and his neighbor, 
and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."
17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. 
18 You will surely wear yourself out, both you, 
and these people who are with you,
 for this thing is too heavy for you. 
You are not able to do it by yourself. 
19 (Nu 27:5; Ex 3:12) Now listen to me, I will advise you, 
and may God be with you: 
You be a representative for the people to God 
so that you may bring their disputes to God. 
20 (Dt 1:18; Ps 143:8) And you shall teach them the statutes and laws 
and shall show them the way in which they must walk and the work
 that they must do. 
21 (2Ch 19:5-10; Ac 6:3) Moreover, you shall choose out of all the people 
capable men who fear God, men of truth, hating dishonest gain, 
and place these men over them, to be rulers of thousands, 
rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 
22 (Nu 11:17; Ex 18:26) Let them judge the people at all times, 
and let it be that every difficult matter they shall bring to you, 
but every small matter they shall judge, so that it will be easier for you, 
and they will bear the burden with you.
23 (Ex 18:18) If you shall do this thing and God commands you so, 
then you will be able to endure, 
and all these people also will go to their place in peace."
(And so start a justice system of elders)
24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law 
and did everything that he had said. 
25 (Dt 1:15; Ex 18:21) Moses chose capable men out of all Israel 
and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, 
rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 
26 (Ex 18:22) They judged the people at all times. 
They brought the difficult cases to Moses, 
but they judged every small matter themselves.
27 (Nu 10:29-30) Moses sent out his father-in-law, 
and he went his way to his own land.

Exodus 18
[1] When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all
that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD
had brought Israel out of Egypt;
[2] Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he
had sent her back,
[3] And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said,
I have been an alien in a strange land:
[4] And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said
he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
[5] And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto
Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
[6] And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee,
and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
[7] And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and
kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into
the tent.
[8] And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh
and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come
upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
[9] And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to
Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
[10] And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the
hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered
the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
[11] Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing
wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
[12] And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices
for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with
Moses' father in law before God.
[13] And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people:
and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
[14] And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he
said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou
thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
[15] And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me
to inquire of God:
[16] When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and
another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
[17] And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is
not good.
[18] Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with
thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it
thyself alone.
[19] Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be
with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the
causes unto God:
[20] And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the
way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
[21] Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as
fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be
rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers
of tens:
[22] And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that
every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they
shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the
burden with thee.
[23] If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt
be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in
peace.
[24] So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that
he had said.
[25] And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over
the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and
rulers of tens.
[26] And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought
unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
[27] And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his
own land.

(THank you Jethro for your wisdom and passing on the Moses)

2) Our Daily Bread for 4 February 2025 titled  
<a href="https://www.odb.org/2025/02/04/god%E2%80%99s-spacious-place">
God's Spacious Place</a>

Psalm 31:1-2,8-16

or the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

1 In You, O Lord, do I seek refuge;
may I never be ashamed;
deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2 ) Incline Your ear to me;
deliver me speedily;
be my strong rock,
a strong fortress to save me.

8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) and have not delivered me up into the hand of the enemy;
You have set my feet in a broad place.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;
my eye wastes away with grief,
yes, my soul and my body.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) For my life is spent with grief,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) I became a reproach among all my enemies,
but especially among my neighbors,
and a dread to my acquaintances;
those who saw me outside fled fromme.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind;
I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many;
fear was on every side;
while they took counsel together againstme,
they planned to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in You, O Lord;
I said, "You are my God."
15 My times are in Your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies
and my pursuers.
16 Make Your face to shine on Your servant;
save me by Your lovingkindness.

Psalms 31
[1] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me
in thy righteousness.
[2] Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock,
for an house of defence to save me.

[8] And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my
feet in a large room.
[9] Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed
with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
[10] For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength
faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
[11] I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my
neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without
fled from me.
[12] I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
[13] For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while
they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
[14] But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
[15] My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and
from them that persecute me.
[16] Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

When theologian Todd Billings received a diagnosis of incurable blood cancer, 
he described his imminent mortality as like lights in distant rooms turning 
off or flickering. "As the father of a one- and three-year-old, I tended to 
think of the next few decades as an open expanse, assuming I would see Neti 
and Nathaniel grow and mature. . . . But in being diagnosed . . . there is 
a narrowing that takes place."

In thinking about these limitations, Billings reflected on Psalm 31, how God 
set David in "a spacious place" (v. 8). Although David spoke of being 
afflicted by his enemies, he knew that God was his refuge and place of 
safety (v. 2). Through this song, the psalmist voiced his trust in God: 
"My times are in your hands" (v. 15).

Billings follows David in placing his hope in God. Although this theologian, 
husband and father faces a narrowing in life, he agrees that he also lives in 
a spacious place. Why? Because God's victory over death through Christ's 
sacrifice means that we dwell in Christ, "the most spacious place imaginable."
As he explains, "What could be broader and more expansive than to share in His
life by the Holy Spirit?"

We too may cry in lament, but we can take refuge in God, asking Him to lead us
and guide us (vv. 1, 3). With David we can affirm that we live in a spacious 
place.

By:  Amy Boucher Pye

Reflect & Pray

What does it mean to you to live in a spacious place? 
What are some concrete ways you can put your hope in God today?

Heavenly Father, You allowed Your Son to die to set me free. 
Thank You for the gift of a spacious place.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7JFew-ixVc">
Watch Hope for the Sick on our @ourdailybreadeurope YouTube channel</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 3 - Let the Word Dwell in You

Col 3:16

16 (Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; Ro 10:17) Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our minds are
bombarded by 20th Century values: "Dress for success!" "Get ahead!"
"You deserve a break today ...." Television, radio, and the incessant
voices that surround us distract our attention and keep us from
focusing on what is really important in our lives.
Paul's instruction to the Colossian Church brings us back to God's
value system: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."
When we give attention to the Word of God, we put ourselves in a position
to hear a higher truth the clamour of immediate demands
and the expectations of the world around us. We can experience peace
in the midst of struggle and rest in a restless environment.
God's Word is a powerful force for good in our lives - not merely
an attractive philosophy, but true power to overcome the pressures
of daily life.
Dwelling on the Word of God, and letting it indwell us, takes many forms.
Scripture memory, music, meditation, talking with others about the
goodness of God all help us keep our attention focused on Christ rather
than on the values of the world around us.
We can choose to listen to Christian radio or tapes. We can take time
daily for quiet meditation on his Word. We can commit the Word to memory
and draw on its power during the day. And as we listen to the voice
of the Spirit rather than the noise around us, we can enter into
his peace and live in communion with him.

Application

a) What pressures do I face that tend to distract me from the reality
of Christ's presence?

b) How can I "let the word of Christ dwell richly" in me, so that I
an regain my focus on him?

c) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on Jesus and his word? 

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Gen 13:2,5-6,14-17

2 (Ge 24:35; Ps 112:1-3) Abram was very wealthy in livestock,
in silver and in gold.
5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
6 (Ge 36:6-7) But the land was not able to support them
both dwelling together because their possessions were so great.
14 (Ge 28:14; Dt 3:27) After Lot had departed from him,
the Lord said to Abram,
"Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are,
northward and southward and eastward and westward.
15 (Ge 12:7; 2Ch 20:7) All the land that you see I will give to you
and to your descendants forever.
16 (Ge 28:14; Nu 23:10) I will make your descendants like the dust
of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust of the earth,
then your descendants could also be numbered.
17 Arise, and walk throughout the land across its length
and its width, for I will give it to you."

2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together:
for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him,
Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward,
and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it,
and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man
can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it;
for I will give it unto thee.

5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:

God's Generous Provision

Ps 145:13b-21

13 Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord preserves all those who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all people bless His holy name
forever and ever.

13 And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:
He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him:
But all the wicked will he destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD:
And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer 

Matthew 6:9-13

9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)


Alberta 

Quick facts on Muslims in Alberta

Alberta 2015 population  4121700

est Muslim Population       195240

CNMM Networks: Calgary and Edmonton

It is estimated that Calgary has 82000 Muslims and Edmonton another 50000 .
Alberta may have a total as high as 195240 today.
Calgary is notable as the first Canadian city with a Muslim mayor.  It's
become a prominent place of Islamic fundamentalism.
Edmonton's Muslim population is very diverse, with the largest group
coming from Tanzania, followed by Somalia, and then North African countries 
such as Egypt, Morocco, etc.
Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus! They overcome huge spiritual,
emotional and cultural hurdles to follow Christ. Yet their challenges still 
continue, especially in growing in discipleship. They often fell lost in our
Western congregations, and equally lost trying to find a church body with whom
they can identify. some are even being lured into Christian cult groups.

Please join us in praying for:
- The church to reach out to the growing Muslim populations in Alberta.
- for Canadian churches to start contextualised discipleship ministries to
Muslim-background believers.
- for Muslm-background believers to be well grounded spiritually and socially
  in their faith and the Church.
- and for Muslim-background believers to share their faith with their 
not-yet-believing family and friendship networks.
- for Farsi and Arabic fellowships to grow in spiritual maturity and outreach.
- for current and new workers among Muslims in these growing Muslim
  in these growing Muslim population centres.


Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020 

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid  celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that 
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you 
know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 :  17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; 
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants 
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below: 
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.  20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]

Footnotes
	Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15  : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under 
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the 
house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people - 
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims 
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days! 

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

4nd Day of the Month

a)  Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada 
(Prov 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation, 
but sin is a reproach to any people.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.

)

b)  Pray the political  leaders will be awakened by God to the right 
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.

8 ) Past and Pray

DAY NINE:

LORD, USE MY PRODIGAL'S FRIENDS

I read that in conversations with prodigals who have returned to the Lord,
many share, when asked, "Who had the greatest influence in convincing you to
turn back to Christ?" that it wasn't family members but friends who played a
pivotal role and this answer often surprises their parents.

These friends cared enough to speak the truth and invite them to church,
offering a fresh perspective that resonated more deeply than their parents'
efforts. A prodigal might expect their parents to urge them toward God and
often tune out that influence, seeking validation elsewhere. In contrast, a
coworker, neighbour, or friend can find a receptive ear in a prodigal's heart,
creating opportunities for meaningful conversations. This highlights the
importance of community and relationships in the spiritual journey, reminding
us that God can use anyone to draw His children back to Him.

REFLECTION:

Who has the most significant influence in the life of the prodigal you are
praying for? Do you pray for them as well?

PRAYER:

Lord, please bring a godly friend into my prodigal's life-a person close to
You, who is Holy Spirit-filled, who knows You and walks with You in Your
ways. I ask that You surround them with individuals who reflect Your grace
and wisdom, encouraging them to seek a relationship with You.

Help my prodigal to recognize and respond to the love and encouragement
from those You send their way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Psalm 147:3

3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

[3] He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:

3 John 1:14

14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

[14] But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

Psalm 27:14

14 Wait on the Lord;
be strong, and may your heart be stout;
wait on the Lord.

[14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 55:22

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

[22] Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and Look to Him for wisdom .

Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, You allowed Your Son to die to 
set me free. Thank You for the gift of a spacious place."

Pray to the Lord and pray that God's Word will dwell richly in you.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know His rewards for Obedience.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know his grace throughtout all generations.

Please join us in praying for:
- The church to reach out to the growing Muslim populations in Alberta.
- for Canadian churches to start contextualised discipleship ministries to
Muslim-background believers.
- for Muslm-background believers to be well grounded spiritually and socially
  in their faith and the Church.
- and for Muslim-background believers to share their faith with their 
not-yet-believing family and friendship networks.
- for Farsi and Arabic fellowships to grow in spiritual maturity and outreach.
- for current and new workers among Muslims in these growing Muslim
  in these growing Muslim population centres.

Pray for the preservation of godly values in Canada 

Pray the political leaders will be awakened by God to the right 
use of power and the right stewardship of their positions.

Ask the Lord to give wisdom, courage and joy to ministry 
workers in remote and difficult areas of Laos.

Lord, please bring a godly friend into my prodigal's life-a person close to
You, who is Holy Spirit-filled, who knows You and walks with You in Your
ways. I ask that You surround them with individuals who reflect Your grace
and wisdom, encouraging them to seek a relationship with You.

Help my prodigal to recognize and respond to the love and encouragement
from those You send their way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
-- 
Member - Liberal International This is [email protected] Ici [email protected]
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