Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for March 16

Guarding Against Modern Baals

From: March 16, 2025

“So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel” (Numbers 25:3 ESV).

Balaam was unable to curse Israel because they were under God’s blessing. So according to Numbers 31:16 he advised another way to harm them from within by tempting them to worship other gods. The Midianites and the Moabites were distant kin of the Jews. Yet, they had fallen into idolatry. It was their wicked and sexual Baal worship that turned many Jews aside and caused them to stumble. The word “Baal” means “Master, Lord, or Owner.” Here, the name “Baal of Peor” probably meant “Lord of Mt. Peor,” as pagan worship was often identified with a mountain. The Israelites could not be cursed or defeated in battle, but they could be tempted to break the first of the commandments and to put another master before the Lord their God.

This same strategy is at work today. Satan cannot stop the church, but he can tempt believers to put other “masters” before God. The “Baals” of today—sex, money, power, and possessions—compete for our devotion. Just as Israel fell when they compromised their worship, we too are in danger when we give our hearts to anything other than Christ.

We must ask ourselves: What “Baals” are we allowing into our lives? Do we prioritize money over faithfulness? Do we seek influence at the expense of integrity? Do we let pleasure dictate our choices instead of God’s Word? Like Israel, we are tempted to love something more than God, but Jesus calls us to wholehearted devotion (Matthew 22:37). The best way to guard our hearts is to stay rooted in God’s Word and walk in obedience.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we recognize how easily our hearts can be drawn away from You. Forgive us for the times we have placed other things before You. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, and strength. Strengthen us to resist temptation and remain faithful to You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A STAR SHALL COME

From: March 16, 2024

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17 ESV).

Balak, king of Moab, hired Balaam to curse Israel. Yet, every time he opened his mouth he blessed them instead. In his final discourse, Balaam offered a prophecy concerning a future king that would arise in Israel whose coming would be announced by a star.

This was the sign that centuries later led the Magi to travel a great distance from the East to see the one born King of the Jews (Matt. 2:1-2). How amazing that the Lord revealed this sign to a Gentile and that it was Gentiles from the East who later followed the sign of the star when it appeared in the heavens. For this sign points to Christ Jesus.

Indeed, the whole Bible points to Christ Jesus. And those who read with eyes of faith find Him on every page. For Jesus is our “bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for revealing the way of salvation to us through Your Son, Jesus. We are amazed. Strengthen us now to live for You as we wait for the appearing of Your Son on that Day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

SINGING PRAISES TO GOD TO START YOUR DAY

From: March 16, 2023

“I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love” (Psalm 59:16-17 NLT).

David wrote, “I will sing.” He had decided in advance to begin his mornings singing praises to God. Singing praises to God puts our hearts and heads in alignment with His. When we are weak, recognizing God as our strength and stronghold in song, strengthens us to face whatever the day holds. Singing praises to God, we are elevated to His perspective and enabled to face the day encouraged and empowered.

So let’s get our praise on in the mornings! Let us decide in advance to sing praises to our God to start our day.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we sing Your praises today whether we see sun or rain. For both are gifts from You. We give You this day and praise You for it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers” (Proverbs 11:14 NLT).

From: March 16, 2022

WISE LEADERSHIP SEEKS AND FOLLOWS WISE COUNSEL

Just as it’s important for a nation to have “wise leadership,” so it is important for the individual and the family. This proverb gives a key principle in leadership, namely, seek wisdom from many counselors before making a decision.

It has been said that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Similarly, those who refuse to learn from the experience of others are doomed to make the same mistakes that they have made. And even when they do take the time to get advice, they often go against it. In which case their famous last words go something like this: “It’ll be different for me.” NOT!

Instead, we can learn to seek the counsel of others. And as the proverb teaches, having “many advisers” improves the success of our decisions. However, it’s important that we choose the right “advisers.” For trusting the world’s advice or the counsel of the crowd, may actually lead to our demise. Google may be great for directions, but not for important life decisions.

As we study the whole of Scripture, we see that it isn’t just the quantity of advisers, but also the quality that counts. Listen to this advice from the psalmist, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psa. 1:1). In other words, don’t get counsel from the ungodly, instead get it from mature believers. And when you do, pray together with them and “commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Prov. 16:3).

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to walk in wisdom. We pray that Your Word would be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in all things, especially in these difficult days. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble” (Psalm 59:16 HCSB).

From: March 16, 2021

SINGING PRAISES TO GOD TO START YOUR DAY

David wrote, “I will sing.” He had decided in advance to begin his mornings singing praises to God. Singing praises to God puts our hearts and heads in alignment with His. When we are weak, recognizing God as our strength and stronghold in song, strengthens us to face whatever the day holds. Singing praises to God, we are elevated to His perspective and enabled to face the day encouraged and empowered.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we sing Your praises today whether we see sun or rain. For both are gifts from You. We give You this day and praise You for it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14 NKJV).

From: March 16, 2020

DO YOU SEEK WISE COUNSEL BEFORE DECIDING?

It has been said that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Similarly, those who refuse to learn from the experience of others are doomed to make the same mistakes that they have made. And even when they do take the time to get advice, they often go against it. In which case their famous last words go something like this: “It’ll be different for me.” NOT!

Instead, we can learn to seek the counsel of others. And as the proverb teaches, a “multitude of counselors” improves the success of our decisions. However, it’s important that we choose the right “multitude.” For trusting the world’s advice or the counsel of the crowd, may actually lead to our demise. Google may be great for directions, but not for important life decisions.

As we study the whole of Scripture, we see that it isn’t just the quantity of counselors, but also the quality that counts. Listen to this advice from the psalmist, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psa. 1:1). In other words, don’t get counsel from the ungodly, instead get it from mature believers. And when you do, pray together with them and “commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Prov. 16:3).

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to walk in wisdom. We pray that Your Word would be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in all things, especially in these difficult days. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the Lord’s anger to blaze against his people” (Numbers 25:3 NLT).

From: March 16, 2019

WHAT ARE THE “BAAL”s OF TODAY?

Balaam was unable to curse Israel because they were under God’s blessing. So according to Numbers 31:16 he advised another way to harm them from within by tempting them to worship other gods. The Midianites and the Moabites were distant kin of the Jews. Yet, they had fallen into idolatry. It was their wicked and sexual Baal worship that turned many Jews aside and caused them to stumble. The word “Baal” means “Master, Lord, or Owner.” Here, the name “Baal of Peor” probably meant “Lord of Mt. Peor,” as pagan worship was often identified with a mountain. The Israelites could not be cursed or defeated in battle, but they could be tempted to break the first of the commandments and to put another master before the Lord their God.

The evil one cannot stop the church, but he can tempt its members to commit adultery by loving another god more than the LORD. What are the modern “baals” of today? Sex, money, possessions, and power, these are the false idols of today. Wait a minute. They were the same for the Israelites too!

PRAYER: Lord, we love you, but we so quickly give our first love to another. Today, we rededicate ourselves to loving you with priority. Lord Jesus, you said that if we loved you we would keep your commandments. Help us to abide in you, so that we are able to please you first above all. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress” (Psalm 59:16 NLT).

From: March 16, 2018

STARTING YOUR DAY WITH WORSHIP

David wrote this psalm regarding the time that Saul was pursuing him to kill him. Yet, notice how he determined to begin each day. He started his days with singing and thanksgiving for God’s power and love and for being his refuge during hard times. David knew how to “encourage himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6 KJV). He knew how to get his morning praise on to get his day started right with God.

Have you learned to begin each morning with singing and praise? It will change your day!

“Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35 NKJV).

From: March 16, 2017

Two “beholds.” The “behold” of old Simeon pointed to the “behold” of Jesus on the cross.

When Joseph and Mary took eight-day old Jesus up from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to be circumcised, they were met in the temple by a man who was diligently waiting for the Christ. It had been revealed to him by the Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. As soon as he saw the Child, he took him into his arms and blessed him. Then, he turned to Mary and said, “Behold… a sword will pierce through you own soul.” Now, that’s a strange thing to say to the mother at a bris! “He’s a beautiful baby, but he will cause you to feel like a sword pierced your heart!”

Surely, the “behold” of Simeon must have flashed across her memory as she stood at the cross and heard her crucified Son say to her, “Woman, behold your son.” Jesus said this to Mary as he turned her care over to his disciple John. And to John he said, “Behold your mother.”

The Spirit had revealed this day to old Simeon and now Mary saw it with her own eyes, “Behold, the Christ who dies on a cross for the sins of humanity.”

“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love” (Psalm 59:17 ESV)

From: March 16, 2016

Singing praises to God puts our hearts and heads in alignment with His. When we are weak, recognizing God as our strength and fortress in song, strengthens us to face whatever the day holds. Singing praises to God, we are elevated to His perspective and enabled to face the day encouraged and empowered.