Monthly Archives: March 2013

March 11

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Numbers 32&33

The Israelites sure moved a lot during their trip from Egypt to Canaan. I counted 43 times they relocated during their forty years in the desert.

In the 37 years I was a public school teacher I moved eight times which seems like a lot. My parents owned their home for sixty years!

So as many times as the Jews packed up and moved, I can imagine they were ready for four walls and a permanent address. When they finally arrived at the Jordan and looked at the beautiful land of Canaan I can understand why some said they’d rather end their journey on the plains of Moab. Cities were already built there and the land was fertile enough. Occupying Canaan looked like more struggle and more time before they could rest.

The truth is, the deeper life does take time and it is a struggle. God doesn’t make his people live there. You can be a Christian and live on the other side of Jordan.

But God can’t bless you there like he can in Canaan.

The walk with Him is sweeter, the joy and peace more amazing. It’s not a life without struggle and there may be barbs in our eyes and thorns in our side until we get rid of those things which dishonor God. But God promises that it’s worth it.

Father, may your people be drawn to Canaan. May we spend time in your Word, go about our day in an attitude of prayer, be sensitive to your voice. May we be aware that you are walking right there beside us and helping us to defeat our enemies so that we can enjoy the blessing that comes from that deeper relationship with you.

March 10

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Numbers 30,31

The Midianites had to be destroyed. They were the means of turning Israel away from the Lord. God’s command was to kill them all. But when the soldiers came back from the battle they came with the Midianite women and children as well as their livestock and possessions.

Moses was not happy. He told the soldiers they had to finish the job. Midianite women and children had to die.

God is asking me today to identify those things that are means of turning me away from Him. And once those things are evident, I must rid myself of them completely. Nothing is to stand between me and my relationship with God. Even if it appears to be just a little thing.

The lesson for me here in Numbers today is that not everything that can turn me away looks like an angry soldier with swords drawn. It may look like something totally innocent.

I challenge all of us to examine our lives and defeat the enemy that would keep us from a right relationship with God.

I am very glad that we are not called to kill people like they were in Old Testament times. We don’t have a flesh and blood enemy in God’s spiritual kingdom. However, the principles are the same for us. We cannot allow sin to have any place in our lives.

The internet is a great thing when used properly. But if I waste hours every day playing games or visiting ungodly sites, I need to walk away from it. And if I can’t walk away from it, maybe I need to cancel my service.

If gambling or alcohol or a career or an unhealthy relationship is coming between me and the Savior, I need to end it. If anger or jealousy or self-pity is robbing me of an affective testimony, I need to confess it and allow God to change it.

There just isn’t a way to almost serve God or to almost get right with Him. God wants us to defeat our enemies completely and rid ourselves of anything that would turn us away from Him.

Father, reveal those things in our lives that put us in danger of allowing the enemy to take up residence in our lives. Help us identify things that are the means of turning us away from You. Then defeat those enemies in our lives. Help us to live lives pleasing to you, lives able to be used by you to reveal you to a lost world, and lives that can be blessed and be a blessing today.

March 9

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Numbers 27-29

Whenever I read accounts like that of Zelophehad’s daughters I pay special attention. Zelophehad had no sons. He had five daughters. And he and Mrs Zelophehad named their girls with names that all ended in “ah”.

For those of you who know me, you know my parents had no sons, either. They had five daughters and all of us have names that end with the “ee” sound. (No spiritual lesson here. Just some useless points of interest)

What I did learn from today’s reading is that God honors women. Yes, this was a male dominated society and much of the Bible is addressed to men. But I take no offense in that. If I look beyond the pronouns I see a God who loves people, who died for men and women, and who is not willing that any should perish. I see a God who prompted Paul to write there is no difference between Jews and Greeks, male and female. I see a God who demands obedience of all of us.

Ladies, let’s not get our feelings hurt by the use of words like “mankind” or try to feminize God by eliminating the masculine pronouns. I believe that’s one of the ways Satan tries to take our focus off what’s really important.

Father, I thank you for the masculine picture you painted that speaks of your relationship to your people. And I thank you that you are a Father who loves his children equally, that you died for all of us, that gender makes no difference in your kingdom. Help us to keep our eyes on the real message of your Word and forgive us when we make issues of things that really aren’t all that important.

March 8

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Numbers 25,26 and I Chronicles 7:14-29

When Phinehas learned that an Israelite man had blatantly disobeyed God, he went to drastic measures to stop him. Phinehas’ obedience stopped a plague that was destroying Israel.

Here is what God said about Phinehas:

“… he was as zealous as I am for my honor…”

What does it mean that God is zealous for his honor? The commandment about not having any other gods before him isn’t a suggestion. When God says be holy he is not talking in generalities. God is serious about revealing himself to a lost world through the obedience of his children.

And God knows time is limited compared to eternity. God doesn’t have time to play around. There are lost people to win and he is not willing that any should perish. We’ll have opportunity in eternity to relax and enjoy our position in Christ.

Until then we have work to do. Let’s be as zealous as God is about his honor. Let’s get busy and share him while we still have time.

Father, we sometimes forget the urgency in our message. Help us to be zealous about revealing you to our friends and neighbors who still don’t know you.

March 7

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Numbers 22-24

There is so much about this story I love. I can just picture Balaam and his donkey traveling along. All Balaam sees is his donkey being stubborn so he beats the animal. Eventually, after the third beating, the donkey turns around and says something like… Stop! What have I ever done to you!

Now here’s what I love. Balaam answers the donkey as though it was the most natural thing in the world. That makes me smile.

But there’s more to the story. God had put a road block in front of Balaam. For whatever reason, Balaam didn’t see it. In fact, he went to drastic measures to stay on the road he had chosen. Once Balaam was able to see the angel and hear from God what he was supposed to do, he was able to go on his way.

We all have a road to travel. Sometimes we get a little off the mark and at those times God might put a road block before us. Road blocks can look like failed job opportunities or just that uneasy feeling that comes from drifting. It could be a word from a friend or an illness.

I don’t know what your road blocks look like but I pray you won’t overlook them. They are there for a reason. And paying attention to the road blocks can make our journey so much better.

Father, thank you for caring about our journey. May we be sensitive to the times you place road blocks before us and may we understand that they are there for our good.

March 6

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Numbers 19-21

I am reminded again today that God’s demand for obedience is consistent for everyone. He doesn’t require complete obedience from one person and overlook disobedience in someone else… even if that person is Moses.

I’m not sure what possessed Moses to take matters into his own hands. Was it pride? Was he so caught up in his position as God’s spokesman that he felt tapping the rock would be a more impressive show than just talking to it? Did he have a moment of doubt that God would bring water from the rock with just a word and then Moses would look foolish before an already angry group of Israelites? He had tapped a rock once before and it had worked. Maybe he felt he could help God along just a little.

The reason behind the disobedience doesn’t really matter. We can rationalized Moses’ or our own disobedience all day long and it doesn’t change the most important issue… disobedience. And if it’s Moses or me, God does not excuse disobedience for any reason.

Father, help me to obey. Sometimes it’s hard because I’m afraid of looking foolish in front of others. Sometimes I have momentary doubt. But help me to understand that the “why” of my disobedience isn’t important. No excuses. I want to be your obedient child today.

March 5

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Numbers 16-18

Often I am amazed that when I read the Bible, it seems it could have been written about the world in 2013. In chapter 16 we see 250 Israelite men rising up against Moses. Just listen to their complaint:

“You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”

Have you ever heard the same accusations today? When  a Christian proclaims the Truth it is often met with someone who says… “Who made you judge? There are a lot of good religions in the world and Christianity is just another of them.” or “How can you impose your view of morality on anyone? You must be a hater, intolerant.”

Here’s the thing. Moses didn’t make himself the leader of Israel.  Remember how he tried to talk God out of giving him that responsibility? And we Christians didn’t get together and decide that homosexuality or murder is wrong and we didn’t come up with a plan and call it the gospel.

God did, though.

Like it or not there is only one Truth. That’s not me talking… it’s God. The 250 Israelites lost their lives as a result of their rebellion. The reality is anyone who reject God’s truth will also lose in the end. It really doesn’t matter if you approve of God’s plan or not. It only matters that you accept it as Truth and obey.

God, I am so thankful that you made your plan plain. You spelled it out so completely that there can be no mistake. Help us who know you to share your plan in love and humility, but never apologetically. And may people who don’t know you, come to your Truth  today.

March 4

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Numbers 14&15

Is the Promised Land heaven? I’ve heard it said that Canaan represents heaven and I can understand the comparison. We as Christians are promised an eternity so amazingly wonderful, and Canaan promised to be that for the Israelites. Well, except for the fact that they were going to have to fight their enemies in order to live there.

Instead, I see Canaan as the Christian life right here on planet earth. When we come to Christ we have available to us all we could ask or think. We can have peace and rest in our souls. Yes, there will be enemies to defeat and weeds to hoe. But Jesus promises to go with us and make us victorious.

Some of the Israelites didn’t go into Canaan. It’s not that they stopped being Jewish, but they never knew what it was like to live in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Some Christians never experience the deeper life. It’s not that they stop being Christians, but they don’t enjoy an intimate walk with their Savior. Maybe it’s because they are focusing on the giants.

My prayer for us today is that we will step into Canaan by faith. That we would spend time with our Savior, reading His Word, living in an attitude of prayer. That’s God’s plan for us and His promise to us. There are blessings to enjoy in that intimate relationship with Him today. Let’s not miss it.

March 3

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Numbers 11-13

The twelve spies went to check things out in Canaan. When they returned they presented Moses with a frightening report. Yes, the land is fertile and the crops amazing, but the people are huge and powerful, the cities large and fortified.

Then Caleb jumps up and says… So what’s stopping us? Let’s roll!

Sometimes what God calls us to do seems as threatening and difficult as taking land from giants. But when faith like Caleb’s steps forward, God is able to accomplish great things.

I knew a father of four who quit his job as restaurant manager to pastor a small, struggling church. I’ve known single women who leave the comforts of home to go into remote areas of third world countries to share Jesus. I know some young parents who feel God asking them to live on one paycheck so the moms can stay at home with their children. And in all cases God has been faithful and people are being blessed beyond what they could imagine.

If God is calling you to do something a little scary I hope you answer with faith like Caleb’s. It could be a career change, going back to school, reaching out to someone, teaching a Sunday School class, or any number of challenges .

If God asks let’s answer… let’s roll!

March 2

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Numbers 8-10

I was a band director for fourteen years. I have such great memories of those days and the young people who learned to make music out of various instruments. In one school district where I taught I was able to take a group of sixth graders on a field trip to Indiana to tour a factory where trumpets and saxophones were made. We watched the machines bend sheets of metal and form shiny, new instruments that would one day produce beautiful music.

The Israelites had no machines and yet the Bible says they made trumpets of hammered silver. I know they didn’t look like our modern-day trumpets but I guess I always pictured them blowing into rams’ horns instead of silver instruments.

Once again I am amazed at what these people accomplished in the desert.

The silver trumpets were used as signals to the Israelites. One trumpet sounding meant the heads of the clans were called to meet. Two trumpets sounding meant the whole community was called to assemble. They blew trumpet signals during battle and at times of rejoicing. There were trumpet blasts that signaled it was time to move on. The people listened for the sound of the trumpet to know what they were to do.

God is asking me today what my trumpets are. What do I listen to to tell me what to do? Is it a family member or a friend? Is it a church leader or a rock star? Do I read People Magazine to decide how to dress or get relationship advice from Real Housewives?

We all have influences. I think God is reminding us to listen for Him over all the other voices that call us. I think He is telling us to turn a deaf ear to anything else. That’s why I think it’s important to spend time in His word and I am so honored that you have decided to do that with me this year.

Let’s guard our hearts and minds and spend enough time with God to be able to recognize His voice amid the other things in this life that are calling us. If we listen, He will make His way known. And I have an idea he’s a pretty good trumpet player.

Father, thank you for your Word that speaks to us every time we read it. Thank you for wanting to guide and direct us and forgive us when we allow ourselves to be caught up in listening to other influences. May we recognize Your voice and may we be quick to obey.