Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, June 4, 2024. It is Day 38 and Day 3 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

While the children of Israel, camped at Rephidim, were complaining about having no water, God sent Moses to “smite the rock” in Horeb. That was some distance away from the Israelite camp. And, Moses took the elders of Israel to the rock in Horeb as witnesses.

Verse 6 of Exodus 17 says Moses smote the rock “in the sight of the elders.” They were all away from the main camp.

Exodus 17:5-6 (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.

It is interesting to consider that Amalek‛s forces waited until the leaders were away from the main body of people to attack. That should give us all great pause to think about God‛s emphasis on leaders and leadership in our battles against God‛s enemies.

God is investing a tremendous amount of effort and energy to develop those who will sit with Him in His throne forever, leading and sharing leadership in fantastic capacities.

Amalek‛s tactics should also give us occasion to think about how God gives us human leaders and leadership skills to help protect us. We must all learn to be both followers and leaders.

And, we must all come to understand the great importance God places on their being present in our lives.

As we move towards Pentecost, let us align ourselves with God‛s way of doing things and appreciate the lessons along the way.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, June 3, 2024. It is Day 37 and Day 2 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

In the account of Israel‛s first military encounter with Amalek, God gave the victory when His servant‛s hands were raised toward His throne. And, following the victory, Moses built an altar to God and named it Jehovahnissi. This name means that the I AM THAT I AM IS MY BANNER.

Exodus 17:15-16 (15) And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:(16) For he said; Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

God is referred to as a “banner” in a number of Scriptures in the Old Testament. It is a promise of protection and covering to those who appeal to God as Moses did against Amalek.

As the Psalmist says, it is a gift to those who fear the I AM, and He gives it to His people because of the truth.

Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

Let us remember that God uses His TRUTH to grant us many blessings. Not only does the truth separate us, guide us in God‛s path (Psalm 119:105), sanctify (John 17:17), cleanse, and wash us (Ephesians 5:26), it also is a sign and a covering that indicates God‛s protection and victory in our lives.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, June 2, 2024. It is Day 36 and Day 1 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost.

The story of the nation of Israel being attacked by the Amalekites is a sad one (Exodus 17). However, even sadder is the existence of a group of people who attack the weak, elderly, sick, and helpless. No wonder God has such a passionate negative approach towards Amalekites.

These people do not represent a bloodline as much as they represent an attitude toward others God has created. Throughout mankind‛s history, there have been “Amalekites” of a kind. Tragically, even in the last one hundred years, groups of people have been attacked by them. There were the Nazis of Germany. And, today, there are Muslim extremists. These attackers harm physically and terrorize psychologically.

The Nazis and extremist Muslims are easy for us to detect. It is more difficult for us to identify other “Amalekites.” One of the worst places to find Amalek is among ourselves.

Yes, occasionally the Amalekite attitude can be found among those who assemble with the brethren and call themselves sons of God, even though they employ Amalekite tactics. Paul the Apostle addressed such negative approaches to one another in the book of Galatians.

Galatians 5:12-17 (12) I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (16) This I say then; Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

God‛s people are to destroy “Amalek” wherever he is found. We are told to even blot out the remembrance.

Exodus 17:14 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.

Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.

As we move toward Pentecost, let us seek to be led by God‛s Spirit of brotherly love, being tender-hearted and gentle. That‛s God‛s way! God‛s true people replace evil with good.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ‛s sake hath forgiven you.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, June 1, 2024. It is Day 35 and Day 7 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

After the “supposed” problem with the “lack” of water now solved, Israel faced a truly major situation; Amalek came against Israel to do battle. Exodus 13 tells us God had led Israel out of Egypt by the way of the wilderness and Red Sea so they would not encounter or provoke the Philistines and be caught in battle early in their journey. But when Israel was in Rephidim, Amalek came to Israel to engage them in battle.

Exodus 13:17-18 (17) And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said; Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: (18) But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Some translations have the words armed for battle where the KJV has harnessed. Israel was physically prepared to do battle. Exodus 17 describes the first of many battles Israel fought in their long forty years of wandering.

Exodus 17:8-16 (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: tomorrow 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 Jehovahnissi: (16) For he said; Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

In Deuteronomy we learn that Amalek‛s attack against Israel was sneaky, attacking from the rear. This was an unprovoked attack by Amalek against Israel.

Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (17) Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; (18) How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.

In response, Moses called Joshua to lead the armies of Israel into battle, to defend the nation against the attack from Amalek. There is a very important lesson here for us today.

When Moses‛ hands were lifted up to God, God intervened. When Moses was tired, not holding up his hands to God, the battle went against Israel. What can we learn from this account?

1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Is there any spiritual value in lifting up holy hands in prayer? We are by no means restricted to one particular posture of prayer (lifting up holy hands). However, there is a history of the people of God lifting up hands in prayer that we should not overlook.

Whatever the possible value may be in lifting up of our hands in prayer, it is worth our consideration. It can surely be an outward expression used for praising or blessing of God.

Here are a couple of references, or witnesses, to consider.

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD.;

Psalm 63:1-5 (1) O God, thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (2) To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary. (3) Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. (4) Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name. (5) My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips:

As we can also learn from the account with Moses, others are needed to accomplish the task, especially when God‛s people are fighting the enemy. Therefore, we are all needed as we offer up prayers for one another.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 31, 2024. It is Day 34 and Day 6 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Exodus 17:1, 5-6 (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…. (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.

These verses tell us that God brought water out of a “rock.” And, we know from the New Testament Scriptures the “rock” represented Jesus Christ, our Savior.

1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Have you ever wondered if the Rock looked special in some way, or if it was just like all the other “rocks” in the desert? Surely, no one among the grumbling Israelites would have thought to find life-giving water from a desert rock. It probably did not sparkle like a diamond or shimmer like gold. It probably looked like a typical desert rock, but this Rock was different.

Isaiah tells us that as a Human Being, Jesus Christ, was ordinary looking, also.

Isaiah 53:2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.

However, our Savior is NOT ORDINARY! In God‛s hands and through His Spirit, ordinary things are NOT ORDINARY! Brethren, God has foreordained great things for His people. Let us move toward His perfect will with a fervent zeal for Him, thirsting after the Water of Life that only He can provide.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 30, 2024. It is Day 33 and Day 5 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

As the children of Israel came to Rephidim, they had to face another problem; at least to them it seemed like a problem.

Exodus 17:1 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.

Do we believe it was an accident that they came to Rephidim? Or, did God lead them to this place? Well, from verse one; it was according to the commandment of the Lord. Should we think God did not know about the lack of water? After all, at lease on the surface it appeared this way. Why would God have done it this way? Here comes the lesson. God was giving them another opportunity to believe and trust Him.

Let each of us think back over the events of our lives during the past month. Did God give us any occasion to believe and trust Him? Did He send any problems our way? Did He put us in a difficult place? Did He test our faith? How did we do? Did we doubt God in any way?

How did Israel handle their current test of faith? Did they believe God could and would take care of them?

Exodus 17:2-3 (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?

It is really becoming clear; Israel had a very short memory! They forgot all that God had already done for them! So, what about us? How short is our memory about all the things God has and is doing for us? When we face our trials and tests, do we look to the only true source for our deliverance? Do we, as Israel, grip, complain, and murmur; or, do we take our needs to God?

Mark 11:22-24 (22) And Jesus answering saith unto them; Have faith in God. (23) For verily I say unto you; That whosoever shall say unto this mountain; Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you; What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Faith does not forget God‛s wonders!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 29, 2024. It is Day 32 and Day 4 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

According to Exodus 16 God used the manna (bread from heaven) to perform a supernatural intervention each week to validate the holiness and rest of the Sabbath. Israel ate manna for forty years. Now, that‛s a lot of miracles.

Exodus 16:31-36 (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.

And, God commanded that a portion (an omer being the tenth part of an ephah) of the manna be placed in a pot and kept “before the LORD” for all of Israel‛s generations. Moses and Aaron did just that. And, later, after the ark of the covenant was completed, the pot of manna was placed inside the ark along with Aaron‛s rod that budded (at Korah‛s rebellion) and the tables of the Covenant.

Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron‛s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

It appears that when God uncovers where He has placed the ark for safe keeping, all of the generations of Israel will see the bread for themselves.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 28, 2024. It is Day 31 and Day 3 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

God‛s mercy, graciousness, and generosity are always impressive. Consider what God did for the murmuring Israelites and see His divine nature in action.

Exodus 16:11-15 (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.

Instead of punishment for their accusations, griping, and complaining, God sent bread from heaven and a huge quantity of quails that covered the camp. The Israelites certainly did not deserve the extra blessings God was pouring out upon them, but, after all, He is the Giver of all Givers.

How much does God give us in undeserved blessings?

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 27, 2024. It is Day 30 and Day 2 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

God told Moses He intended to test (or prove) Israel to determine whether they would walk in God‛s law or not, by commanding them to gather on the sixth day of each week, twice as much “bread from heaven” as they were allowed to gather on the first five days of each week.

Exodus 16:4 (B) that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no.

It was a simple and direct commandment God gave them. And, the explanation of exactly what, how, and when “to gather” versus “not to gather” was reinforced each week by divine intervention. Supernaturally, the bread would spoil if kept overnight on any of the week days except for the sixth, but be completely fresh when it was kept overnight on the sixth day for the seventh day‛s food. Obviously, the question is, if Israel wasn‛t going to keep this command, how could God know they would obey His other commands?

During creation week, according to the first chapters of Genesis, the Sabbath was the first full day Adam and Eve lived. The Genesis account shows us that God had created them and placed them in the Garden in Eden during the daylight portion of the sixth day. God then rested and made the seventh day HOLY!

Genesis 2:1-3 (1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (2) And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all His work which God created and made.

In Exodus 16:23, we find the first reference to the seventh day being called the Sabbath in the King James Version of the Bible. This chapter also ties in “rest” with the seventh day Sabbath and refers to the rest as “the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the LORD.”

Exodus 16:23 And He said unto them; This is that which the LORD hath said; Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Later, God incorporated His seventh day command into the Covenant He made with ancient Israel at Sinai. Prior to the Old Covenant, the seventh day rest (Sabbath) was a test commandment. It has continued to be so through the millennia.

Obviously, the Sabbath is part of the 10 Commandments and the Old Covenant. However, its being “holy unto the LORD” continues to be crucial to all of God‛s people for today and for as long as there is man, because the Sabbath was made for man. And, we know that everything God does, He does with purpose. Let us learn from ancient Israel regarding God‛s Sabbath test for His people.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 26, 2024. It is Day 29 and Day 1 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Exodus 16:4 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.

“Rain bread from heaven for you!” Exodus 16 contains a wonderful account that illustrates a unique characteristic of God. He announced that He was about to do something that no one had ever seen or heard of; in fact, perhaps it had never even entered into any person‛s mind.

Who but God would have ever thought of such a thing?

That‛s Who God is! He is the Source. Our imaginations are far short of God‛s creative “genius.” All mankind can do is “change” the raw materials God has already created when we “create.” We can only rearrange, or put together, or manipulate (in numerous ways) the resources God has already provided for us.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (8) For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written; Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

We do not think like He thinks. Aren‛t we glad? God always has something new. And, it is always good.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God