2 Ways to Be Loyal
Hello, my name is Kim. I’m a leader in the women’s ministry, FAME! We are learning from the women in the Old Testament. The woman I’m sharing with you is Miriam. Miriam was the eldest sister of Moses and Aaron. An amazing woman of Faith, a Prophetess, a True Leader of Women and a Worshipper of God.
Miriam was also a woman of incredible loyalty and courage. When Miriam was just a child herself, she helped save her infant brother Moses when Pharaoh decreed that all male hebrew children of Moses's age must be killed. When Pharaoh's Daughter fell in love with baby Moses, Miriam convinced her to allow their mother to wean Moses until it was time to return Moses to Pharaoh's daughter, which saved his life.
"The baby’s sister (Miriam) then stood at a distance,
watching to see what would happen to him."..Exodus 2:4
When Miriam became a woman, she came alongside Moses helping to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, recognized by God as a Prophetess! God was using her in a powerful way! Despite her heart for God there came a time when God heard Miriam and Aaron speaking negatively against Moses which angered God. He rebuked her with Leprosy and she was kept outside the camp for 7 days.
'While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them." Num 12: 1-2
This is a reminder that we all must all be on guard not place our own feelings above the will of God no matter how much good we have done in our lives. Satan will never stop trying to corrupt our mind through our feelings and emotions. We must always be mindful of our Loyalty to God and to our Family.
I can relate to Miriam in my own life..
A few years ago after my husband Dan retired, we considered opening up a business in our hometown of Oceanside. We prayed about what to do and the Lord directed us to a business. Dan received a vision and many scriptures from the Holy Spirit to confirm that indeed this is God’s will for our lives.
Proverbs 3:5 is the key verse He put on our hearts during this time.“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”
Instead of trusting in the Lord and letting Him direct my path I dug my heels in resisting His direction. I found myself speaking negatively out of fear and doubt. This caused my husband to question if he truly heard from the Holy Spirit. God rebuked me, showing me I was wrong. My words had caused Dan confusion and doubt, “did he really hear from the Holy Spirit?”
I repented quickly and deeply for my words and actions and asked Dan to please forgive me. I began encouraging Dan by reminding him of the vision and scriptures the Lord had given him for our lives.
By turning our eyes upon the Lord, Trusting Him and being Loyal to Him and His ways, I’m happy to say that God has blessed our lives through our business in many ways. We are “joyfully joined together in perfect unity- with one heart, one passion and united in one love” Philippians 2:2
Our words are more powerful than we realize.
The definition of Loyalty is "a strong feeling of support or allegiance".
I see 2 ways that Miriam’s story shows us Loyalty.
Loyalty to Family
Miriam put Moses' life before her own.
Loyalty to God
After Miriam repented, she was restored to God and her Family.
"Whoever guards her mouth preserves her life" Proverbs 13:3
Loyalty is Trusting in God and speaking His words of life into our families. I hope you can apply this principle to your life.
Your friendship and guidance has inspired me to become the woman of loyalty the Lord created me to be.
I'd love to hear how the story of Miriam and her Loyalty to Family and to God has impacted you too.