Double digits: double, double

We are now gaining headway.

You have now arrived at day 10, a day to be weighed and measured.

In scripture the Passover lamb would be selected on the tenth day of the first month (Nisan), perfect and without fault or blemish (Exodus 12:3). Jesus came into Jerusalem on lamb selection day. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.

The day of atonement was also on the 10th day of the 7th month, a powerful day. It was a day when no-one would work and all would fast, for the removal of sin for the year. I love how in Leviticus 23 it uses the words “you shall afflict your souls” when referring to fasting.

Right now, I want you to just take a moment to thank Jesus our King of kings, for his blood covenant sacrifice, that continues to speak on our behalf and atone for all our sins until his return (Hebrews 9:27). When he comes back he will judge, weigh, measure and sift ALL.

Jesus gives us an example in Matthew 25:1 of being weighed and measured in the parable of the ten virgins. In the parable, five virgins were prepared and ready for his coming and five virgins were foolish with no oil. When the door of the wedding banquet was closed, the five foolish virgins were told “ I never knew you”

We must learn from this parable and keep our oil always filled and prepared for his coming. No-one knows the hour or time (Matt 24:36). What we do know is that we are living in the last days, and he will come like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10).

So how do you keep your oil burning? Get to know Jesus and form a relationship with him in the secret place. Be intimate with him. Remember, you can know OF someone. But to really know someone completely, takes time, sacrifice and being in their presence. Someone only says they don’t know you when, you don’t spend quality time with them day in and day out, year after year, being consistent.

In the book of Daniel chapter 1: verses 8-15, the bible says that Daniel did not want to defile himself from eating the meat and wine that the king had to offer. So by the favour of God he asked that he be tested for 10 days of just eating vegetables and drinking water, and at the end of the 10 days he was victorious and then permitted to continue to eat in this way. However this was not a fast, but a test. Daniel used wisdom given to him by God. So he could remove himself in a manner as to not to contaminate his temple (body) by the meats and wine which were sacrificed to idols.

May we in this fast be given the wisdom, grace and strength to continue during testing times, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Finally, The commandments are also ten in number. God’s law is another form of being measured. (Ex 20:2-17) But remember Jesus says in Matthew 5:17 ”Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.“.

Paul in Galatians (3:13-14AMP) breaks this down beautifully ”Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and it’s condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.“.

All things point towards JESUS, as you can see.

Daily manna to meditate on…..,.

”For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.“ Matthew 7:2 NKJV

”Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance?“ Isaiah 40:12 NKJV

”Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity.“ Job 31:6 NKJV

”Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.“ Psalms 62:9 NKJV

”Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 NKJV

Food for thought……..

Have you weighed and measured yourself? Where are you in this first quarter of the fast? If the Lord was to come like a thief in the night, right now, would you past the test? How can you personally deepen your relationship with him?