The enemy within - Sin - is more potent than the visible enemies that we see externally. When we start to toy with sin, we step out of the coverage of the Most High because he cannot behold iniquity. This opens us up to be preys of the devil. Worse still though, you could incur the anger of God which is a terrible outcome. Such was the case of the Israelites in today’s Bible reading. The same Israelites that God did not allow Balaam to curse.  Now they got comfortable in the land and started to contaminate their identity with the practices of the Moabites that they dwelt with. They were bowing down to the gods of the land. They became carried away with the seeming temporary respite of ‘enjoying’ themselves with the Moabites. Then God became really angry with them. The Bible records that those who were killed in the plague were twenty four thousand. What the external enemies could not do, the Israelites collaborated with the internal enemy to achieve.  The Bible reminds us that we should continually stand our guard, guard our hearts and avoid breaking the hedge. God’s protection should never be taken for granted. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you because you are the holy and righteous God. Thank you because you are the true God with no variableness or shadow on turning. I come before you afresh seeking for your mercy for every past sin. Lord I receive renewed discipline to walk in the grace that Jesus provides to live above sin. Please help me Lord 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. ‎