We Are Still Children....In Need of Punishment and Training

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy 3:12-29

As the Israelites stand on the precipice of the promised land, Moses pleads with God to allow him to see the fruit of the wanderings in the desert.

²³ At that time I pleaded with the LORD : ²⁴ "O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? ²⁵ Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon." (verses 23-25)

As any good parent would do with their child when a punishment is handed down, God sticks with the punishment and does not budge.

"That is enough," the LORD said. "Do not speak to me anymore about this matter." (verse 26)

Although he is allowed a brief glimpse of the promised land, Moses quietly and completely accepts his punishment for not properly rebuking the Israelites as they rebelled against God earlier in their exodus/wanderings. He commissions Joshua and stays in the land east of the Jordan.

²⁹ So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor. (verse 29)

This reminds me how we must all see ourselves (believers) as children (of God) in need of training, rebuking, etc. We must accept our human frailties and the consequences of such - we are a work in progress. To this end, I am reminded of scripture in 2 Tim provided by a friend and Christian brother:

¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

God has a plan for us, it is GREAT, and part of this plan includes training and development. Scripture is a key source of this training and development!

My Prayer: Lord your plan is GREAT, and oh have I learned and grown in you and because of you. Forgive me when I think of myself is complete in training and arrogant. Thank you for scripture, my church, and my Christian brothers and sisters as means for my training. Help me constantly see myself as a child of God and in need of you and your guidance/training for me.

God's Might Is Not Indiscriminate...He is Deliberate and Thoughtful

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 3:1-11

God's might is clearly infinite...yet at the same time it is thoughtful, reinforcing the notion that any violence or destruction that comes from God is part of larger plan.

As part of His plan, the Israelites took all of Bashan, there were no survivors, and all of the fortifications of these cities were destroyed.

All these cities were fortified with high walls and with gates and bars, and there were also a great many unwalled villages. ⁶ We completely destroyed them, as we had done with Sihon king of Heshbon, destroying every city—men, women and children. (verses5-6)

At the same time, provision (food) was NOT destroyed.

⁷ But all the livestock and the plunder from their cities we carried off for ourselves. (verse 7)

What is interesting here is that God did not leave the fortifications because, in my view, He wanted the Israelites to come to Him for protection. Additionally, without knowing what was going on in the heads of the Israelites, I would imagine that they would have probably found it very taxing if they were to worry about food, considering how they worried about this constantly earlier in their wanderings through the desert. God, however, I suspect, sensed this and took care of provision. God is deliberate, thoughtful, all knowing, and His plan is great!

My Prayer: Lord, I have seen with my own eyes how you have transformed my life and my heart and so far what you have revealed to me - in terms of your plan for my life - is awesome. You are an awesome God! Forgive me for my neglect of prayer - I am really struggling with this. Help me with this please and help me continue to seek you for all things and to trust in you completely.

Stay Close to God, Avoid Distractions, and You Will Be Blessed

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 2

Here I see God laying out his plan for the Israelites, and working with Moses to ensure that the Israelites stay on task. Moses reminds the Israelites as they passed through Seir and Ar, not to provoke the descendants of Esau nor the Moabites or Ammonites.

⁹ Then the LORD said to me, "Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any part of their land. I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession." (verse 9)

...

¹⁹ When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you possession of any land belonging to the Ammonites. I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot." (verse 19)

...

³⁷ But in accordance with the command of the LORD our God, you did not encroach on any of the land of the Ammonites, neither the land along the course of the Jabbok nor that around the towns in the hills. (verse 37)

God knows that we can be tempted and sidetracked by many things, pride, envy, laziness, selfishness, etc. He has a plan for us and He wants us to stay "on task" focused on the prize. This reminds me of Paul's words:

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12: 1-3)

My Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me beyond what I deserve. Your guidance and love for me has resulted in transformation in my life - blessing beyond imagination. Thank you for your guidance and for helping me perservere. Forgive me when I lack patience and when I neglect you. Help me be prayerful and help me develop an ongoing and rich dialogue of prayer with you.

Courage is an Outcome of Your Walk With God

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy 1:19-46

There is certainly alot going on here but what sticks out to me is the courage of Caleb and Joshua - courage that only comes to us through faith in God. This is in context of Moses recalling the story the moment when the Israelites were nearing the promised land.

God requests the Israelites to take the hill country of the Amorites. He even tries to soothe their fears.

²⁰ Then I said to you, "You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. ²¹ See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (verse 20-21)

What is striking here is that even with God actually soothing the nerves of the Israelites, they still sought their own plan vs God's plan, convincing Moses that sending spies into the land would reassure them more so than God.

²² Then all of you came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to."

²³ The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe. ²⁴ They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and explored it. ²⁵ Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, "It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us."

²⁶ But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. ²⁷ You grumbled in your tents and said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. ²⁸ Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. (verses 22-28)

How quickly the Israelites lose faith in God by saying "the Lord hates us"! Moses then reminds the Israelites of how he tried to encourage them and how God sought to protect them.

²⁹ Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. ³⁰ The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, ³¹ and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." (verse 29-31)

Probably most telling is how the Israelites hemmed and hawed then begrudingly followed him.

⁴¹ Then you replied, "We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God commanded us." So every one of you put on his weapons, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country. (verse 41)

Of course the Lord sees right through the Israelites and denies those who lack true and complete faith any access to the promised land.

⁴² But the LORD said to me, "Tell them, 'Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.' "⁴³ So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the LORD's command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country. ⁴⁴ The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees and beat you down from Seir all the way to Hormah. ⁴⁵ You came back and wept before the LORD, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf ear to you. ⁴⁶ And so you stayed in Kadesh many days—all the time you spent there. (verse 42-46)

My Prayer: Lord, your strength provides me with great comfort and I thank you for how you have protected me...time and time again in my life. Forgive me when I stray, neglect you, and for my disobedient. For example, I am not in prayer not nearly as much as I would like. Please help me with this.

Lean On God and Speak Truth Into Each Others' Lives

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 1:9-18
Matthew Henry Commentary

While this passage specifically addresses Moses' charge to leaders and judges among the Israelites, there are broader points I see:

- God is the ultimate authority and we should be led by Him first

"...Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God." (verse 17)

- God places others in our lives so that they can speak truth (from God) into our lives. Again the scripture here may speak specifically about leaders and judges but I see a role for any brother or sister who can speak truth into my life.

¹⁵ So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. ¹⁶ And I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly, whether the case is between brother Israelites or between one of them and an alien. ¹⁷ Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. (verses 15-17)

To resolve difficult questions and situations, I see the broader point as go to God first, then go to brothers and wise counsel second. Another case for how God sees how it is critical for us to walk together with God - we cannot do this alone...

My Prayer: Lord, it is amazing how you care for me. You place people in my life, brothers and sisters that serve to lift me up and to help me along during difficult times. Forgive me if I ignore wise counsel you place in my life, if I judge against your will, or if I am not enough of a brother to others. Thank you for the brothers in my life and please help me be both be a brother to others and see it when others are being a brother to me.

God Provides Refuge and Rest

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 1:1-8
MH Commentary

Having spent over 40 years wandering in the wilderness, here I find a great example of how God understands that all people have a breaking point and it is through Him that we can find rest.

⁶ The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. ⁷ Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. ⁸ See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them." (Deuteronomy 1:6-8)

I did some searching around and found this verse in Matthew:

²⁸"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

There seems to be an ongoing debate about whether God gives you only what you can handle or whether He gives you more than you can handle. I come down on the latter and find this commentary useful. Key here is that if He gave us only what we can handle we would not need Him right...so it therefore makes sense that He gives us more than we can handle so that we depend on Him.

My Prayer: Lord you care for me like no other can. You provide like no other and I am thankful - whether this is rest or other types of protection or provision, I am thankful. Forgive me for my lack of prayer and help me come to you and help my desire of you grow and grow.

Protection Through Christ is Only Offered to Those Who Stay in Him

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 34 to 36

As I continue to read about how the Lord is preparing the Israelites to enter Canaan, I find myself struggling with an understanding of what I am reading - more so than I have with most chapters I have read so far in the Old Testament. I have sought additional commentary here.

The chapter I struggle with the most is in chapter 35 where the Lord is instructing Moses and the Israelites about how to deal with murderers - those who intentionally kill and those who do so accidentally.

From the commentary, one of the key themes that strike me is the concept of how these "cities of refuge" are analogous to seeking protection through Christ. The commentary further supposes that protection of Christ only extends to those who maintain faith in Christ.

²⁶ " 'But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he has fled ²⁷ and the avenger of blood finds him outside the city, the avenger of blood may kill the accused without being guilty of murder. ²⁸ The accused must stay in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may he return to his own property. (Numbers 35: 26-28)

The commentary references Romans as additional support for this message:

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1)

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for your protection - as I ponder how I have sinned and lived my live, I am amazed at how you protected me and saved me from sin. Forgive me for my sin and for my neglect of you. Thank you for your love and grace as I know I don't deserve it. Help my desire and love for you grow such that my heart can be purified and transformed - which I know only you can do.

Acknowledge What God Has Done As Means to Maintain Faith In Him

Today's Reading
Numbers Chp 33

When reading this chapter, in which the Lord commands Moses to chronicle the Israelites journey out of Egypt (see verses 2-4), it dawned on me that it must have been difficult for the Israelites to maintain faith in the Lord without ongoing reminders of God's power, mercy, provision, and love.

These reminders are particularly important when God leads us to do something and that something conjures up fear. For example, here:

⁵⁰ On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, ⁵¹ "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, ⁵² drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. ⁵³ Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. ⁵⁴ Distribute the land by lot, according to your clans. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one. Whatever falls to them by lot will be theirs. Distribute it according to your ancestral tribes.

⁵⁵ " 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. ⁵⁶ And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.' " (Numbers 33:50-56)

Clearly, physical combat is a task that causes fear among all of us, and the only way I see to conquer this fear and trust Him is to remind yourself of God's power, mercy, provision, and love.

My Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me beyond imagination and help me overcome the most difficult of challenges - for this I am thankful. Forgive me for my lack of daily prayer as this is a struggle of mine - I do yearn to be closer to you and this is my prayer.

Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly

Today's Reading
Numbers 32

As the Israelites move closer to inhabiting the land God prepared for them - Canaan - the Reubenites and Gadites express their desire to stay on the east side of the Jordan, which is against the express wishes of the Lord who commanded the Israelites to conquer and inhabit the land across the Jordan.

Moses reacts to the Reubenites and Gadites:

⁶ Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? ⁷ Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them? ⁸ This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. ⁹ After they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the LORD had given them. ¹⁰ The LORD's anger was aroused that day and he swore this oath: ¹¹ 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- ¹² not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.' ¹³ The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.

¹⁴ "And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the LORD even more angry with Israel. ¹⁵ If you turn away from following him, he will again leave all this people in the desert, and you will be the cause of their destruction." (Numbers 32:6-15)

While I am not entirely certain why the Reubenites and Gadites did not want to conquer and inhabit Canaan, I can be certain that they were not following God's will. Maybe it was fear - fear of confrontation and death that may result from battle....again I am not certain. Regardless of the motivation the point is clear, there was resistance to following God's will.

So, the question becomes - what are MY motivations to not following God's will. There are too many to list...I need to remember that "if you turn away from him, he will again leave all this people in the desert, and you will be the cause of their destruction".

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for preparing the promised land for me, in heaven specifically. I must focus on this as my promised land. Forgive me for my motivations to be disobedient. Help me follow you wholeheartedly.

Be Aware of "Sin Slipping In Among You"

Today's Reading
Numbers Chp 31

Here I see God's admonishment to avoid others who are sinful. God commands Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites (see also here).

¹⁵ "Have you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. ¹⁶ "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. ¹⁷ Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, ¹⁸ but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

¹⁹ "All of you who have killed anyone or touched anyone who was killed must stay outside the camp seven days. On the third and seventh days you must purify yourselves and your captives. ²⁰ Purify every garment as well as everything made of leather, goat hair or wood." (Numbers 31:15-20)

God knows that we as humans are prone to sin and he seeks to protect us and to keep us pure.

This is consistent with Christ in the New Testament as found in Jude:

³Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ⁴For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 1:3-4)

The key is, I believe to reach out to sinners to save them but be wary of sin so we can protect ourselves.

I was thinking of saying "love the sinner but hate the sin"....but then I read this. Now I am inclined to just say, "love the sinner, but beware of Satan trying to entice you to sin". This may mean depending on your circumstances, to avoid certain situations. Or, depending on your gifts, abilities, and trust in God, it may mean understand what you are dealing with (sin) but confront sin and speak and act in Truth.

My Prayer: Lord, your wisdom knows no bounds. When I am dealing with difficult situations and seek guidance and protection...I know I can come to you and you will guide and protect me. Thank you for how you have protected me and helped me make wise decisions. Forgive me for not always making wise decisions and for not following your guidance. Help me trust more in you and follow you. I know you will protect me.

God of Old Testament Relies on Doing vs Truly Following Christ

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 28 to 30

Having been raised Jewish, these chapters remind me of why I never really developed a relationship with the God of the Old Testament. The God of the Old Testament is a God that requires so much doing. Because I was the youngest, I would always have to read the "four questions" on Passover and I hated that holiday also because we could not eat any leavened bread. While I now see the wisdom of spiritual disciplines such as fasting, it is in the context of my New Testament God.

For example, here in Matthew, contrast Christ's response to the Jews that scolded the disciples for "working" on the Sabbath. The focus is on following Christ - you don't want to work to exclude corporate worship but you should extend a hand to help others on the Sabbath.

¹At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. ²When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."

³He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. ⁵Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? ⁶I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. ⁷If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

⁹Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath

¹¹He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹²How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:1-12)

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for liberating me from the rituals of the Old Testament and giving me new freedom and rebirth through you - Christ the Lord! Forgive me that I continue to lack in depth and focus on my relationship with you. Please help me with this. Help me study, pray, serve, and fall deeper in love with you.

God Listens to Our Prayers

Today's Reading
Numbers Chp 27

After reading throughout Numbers about God's instructions for daily living, I've been getting a sense of how relentless the God of the Old Testament can be in terms of do this, do that, etc. In this chapter, I am reminded of how God listens to our prayers and responds, he is a just God and a caring God.

First He responds to the daughters of Zelophehad:

¹ The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They approached ² the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly, and said, ³ "Our father died in the desert. He was not among Korah's followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. ⁴ Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives."

⁵ So Moses brought their case before the LORD ⁶ and the LORD said to him, ⁷ "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and turn their father's inheritance over to them. (Numbers 27:1-7)

Then He listens to Moses:

¹⁵ Moses said to the LORD, ¹⁶ "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community ¹⁷ to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

¹⁸ So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit,^"and lay your hand on him. ¹⁹ Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. ²⁰ Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. ²¹ He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in." (Numbers 27:15-21)

My Prayer: Lord, you ARE just and you ARE caring. Thank for listening to my prayers that I have prayer and for prayers prayed by others on my behalf. Forgive me that I neglect you and help me draw nearer to you - help me develop a deeper desire and love for you and for me to follow your instructions more obediently. Help me remember that you DO listen and respond to prayers - and more importantly, help me pray.

Punishment Is Not Elusive to Followers of Christ

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 25 to 26

There are many examples in the Old Testament of God and his wrath, including two clear examples in my mind:
- God wipes out all of humanity except Noah and his family
- God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah

In these chapters in Numbers, God's wrath is clear; after the Israelites are seduced by Moabite women. God wipes out 24,000 Israelites:

⁶ Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. ⁷ When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand ⁸ and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and into the woman's body. Then the plague against the Israelites was stopped; ⁹ but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000. (Numbers 25:6-9)

While God does show mercy throughout the Old Testament, one is left with an impression that God's mercy has limits. When one gets to the New Testament, one gets the impression that Christ - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - is more forgiving as there are fewer examples of harsh punishment; instead Christ sees the best in us even though we may act in ways that are entirely evil. He gives us an opportunity to seek forgiveness and to obtain eternal life through Him.

This does not mean that we are not punished of course.

See Luke 12:

⁴⁷"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. ⁴⁸But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:47-48)

We need to remember that although we have a God of great mercy, mercy and grace are completely undeserved. We need to act as pure and holy as we can, knowing that for any sin we commit, it is up to God how he is to deal with our sin.

My Prayer: Lord God, Christ, you ARE full of mercy. I am a deeply sinful man and I am sorry for my sin. Forgive me and thank you for you have already forgiven me. Help me act pure and holy and come to you for protection and forgiveness. I need you. Thank you Lord.

God's Plan Is Greater Than Our Plan!

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 23-24

Balaak's actions here remind me of how I act when I see my plan being better than that of God's plan. Balaak summons Balaam to curse Israelites as they pass through the desert. While Balaak sees the Israelites as a threat, Balaam sees the Israelites as blessed by God and Balaam has faith in God. I strive to be more like Balaam and less like Balaak. Here is Balak's response to Balaam when things don't go his way and Balaam confronts him with truth and stands faithful to God.

¹⁰ Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. ¹¹ Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."

¹² Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ¹³ 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD -and I must say only what the LORD says'? ¹⁴ Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." (Numbers 24: 10-14)

My Prayer: Lord, you are my protector and you are worthy of praise. Forgive me when I seek my own will and desires over yours. Help me be more like Balaam and less like Balaak. Help me fight and win against the evils of the world.

Are We Not Aware When God Wants Us to Pay Attention to Him?

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 21-22

While a talking donkey (see chp 22:21-31) may seem amusing, the subject here is of course very real and should be taken seriously. If I were to see a talking donkey (seriously) my first thought would be God is trying to reach me...whatever the message is, it must be pretty darn urgent for Him to use a donkey to deliver the message! In this case, God wanted Balaam to stop what he was doing!

³¹ Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

³² The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. ³³ The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her."

³⁴ Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back."

³⁵ The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. (Numbers 22:31-35)

Which then begs the questions....how close am I to God to know both that He is talking to me AND for me to know what He is saying? This then begs the question, how do I get close to God.

I think I reasonably know the answer to these questions but I pray that I have a good understanding:
- read and study the bible
- pray
- ask God for wisdom and ask for guidance
- talk to wise Christian brothers and sisters for input and counsel
- talk to your pastors

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for you wisdom and counsel for I know that I would not be able to live without it. You are great. Forgive me when I, like Balaam, ignore you commands and your efforts to reach me. Help me stay close to you and be aware when you are trying to reach me. Help me follow your lead.

We Question God's Plan, Yet He Shows Mercy

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 19-20

Once again as the Israelites wander through the desert, they question God's plan:

² Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. ³ They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! ⁴ Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? ⁵ Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" (Numbers 20: 2-5)

To me it's not really that long since the last time the Israelites grumbled against Moses and the Lord!!

For all of this grumbling, God shows mercy and instead of wiping out grumblers like He does in Numbers 16:31-33, he provides water and lets them live:

⁹ So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him. ¹⁰ He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" ¹¹ Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (Numbers 20:9-11)

Is our God not merciful? Although God could have killed the Israelites, he lets them live. However we do see that God punishes the Israelites by not allowing them to reach the promised land...yet.

On the one hand we see how God provides for our needs (water) yet is firm in that it is HIS plan and HIS timing that is the priority. We need to be patient.

My Prayer: Thank you for how you provide and for your mercy. Forgive me for my own sin and impatience and help me focus on you and your plan.