Monthly Archives: March 2019

March 11; Good Enough

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Numbers 32-33

The land was good. It offered everything they needed for their families and livestock. Oh, they didn’t blame others for wanting to cross the Jordan. In fact, they’d help them move. But the two and a half tribes let immediate material gain outweigh the promise of what God had waiting for them in Canaan.

Why would they wander forty years in the desert, only to be satisfied with living almost in the Promised Land? Why would they be ok with living on the banks of the Jordan, without taking those few final steps to cross it to get to everything God had promised?

Makes me wonder if I have fully crossed over, myself. Makes me wonder if I’m holding on to a piece of “good enough” instead of embracing everything God has for me. Why would I want my relationship with God to be just “good enough,” when He offers so much more?

March 10; The Seriousness of Vows

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Numbers 30-31

When  my first niece was born in the early ’80’s I held that tiny, beautiful baby and made a vow. I said, with her parents and grandparents in the room, “If your first words are ‘Aunt Connie,’ I’ll buy you a car.”

Everyone laughed, and like most babies, she said “Mommy” and “Daddy” long before she said my name. I made the same vow 18 months later when her little brother was born, and for the next ten years whenever one of my sisters had a baby I’d make the same vow. “Say ‘Aunt Connie’ first. I’ll buy you a car.”

I knew I was pretty safe, that I’d never really have to buy a car. Until my oldest niece was 15, and my sister had her fourth child. I, of course, made my silly vow, but this time in front of three teenage siblings who immediately began coaxing their baby brother to say, “Aunt Connie.” I will admit, I was a bit worried. But thankfully, “Mommy” won out.

I was off the hook. That is, until my nieces and nephews began having their own children. You’d think I’d learn. Not so much! Just last year one of my nieces had a baby boy, and Great-Aunt Connie made her silly vow. This time his teenage step-brothers began coaxing him to say my name. (I’m pretty sure I distinctly heard him say, “Dada” last time I was home.)

I share all that as I think about the Scripture I read today. It addresses the seriousness of our vows to God.

“This is what the Lord commands; When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” (30:1-2)

Now Moses goes on and gives instructions how a vow might be annulled. But those circumstances are few and far between. The seriousness of vow-making is not lost on me.

I want to be a woman of my word. That means I need to speak thoughtfully, not making rash promises. Like when I promise to pray for someone, then immediately forget that I promised to pray. Like when I promise to call a friend, and then not pick up the phone. I know these are not the same kinds of promises we read about here in Numbers. But if I represent God, and I do, I want my word to mean something for His sake.

And when I promise God to turn from a sin, to change behavior that doesn’t please Him, to obey Him with all my heart, I want Him to know I mean it. The cool thing about God is, when I do make those vows, He Himself gives me the ability to follow through. I love that about Him!

I take my relationship with God seriously. I want to please Him in all ways, including the vows I make.

 

March 9; I Got Nothing

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Numbers 27-29

Have you ever heard someone say, “I didn’t get anything out of that sermon?” I confess I’ve said it myself a time or two, always intended to put the blame on the preacher. But I wonder.

It occurs to me, as I read these chapters, that God must place a high value on daily routine. Every day the priests were to offer a sacrifice, an orderly expression of worship. It’s the routine that spoke to me today.

How important is it that I spend a time of focused worship of God every morning? How important is it that I offer my body as a living sacrifice to God every day? How important is it that my time alone with God is my number one priority from the moment I wake up?

I think this picture I’m looking at here in Numbers indicates it’s extremely important.

Warren Wiersbe says, “The way to become more spiritual is to strengthen the regular worship day after day, and then the special times of worship will do us more good.” (With The Word; Thomas Nelson Press; 1991; page 102)

So the next time I’m tempted to think I didn’t get anything from a sermon, I need to review my routine. Am I in the habit of worshiping? Or is that something I reserve for Sunday mornings? Because, God can certainly speak to me through the poorest of sermons, if I’m used to hearing His voice.

 

March 8; Defending God’s Honor

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Numbers 25-26; I Chronicles 7:14-29

God said this about Phinehas, a priest and a grandson of Aaron: “… he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them…” (Numbers 25:11) Phinehas obeyed God and eradicated sin from among the Jews. And his actions were brutal.

Phinehas was zealous for God’s honor.

God is asking me to consider whether or not I even give a thought about His honor among my friends, my community, our nation, and the world. And if I do, what does defending His honor look like?

I can’t tell you the number of times as a middle school counselor, that I had to deal with fighting children over what one said about another’s mother. That mother’s child would often defend their mother’s honor by punching the child who would dare say anything against her. And the mother’s child would absolutely declare their right to do so.

Is God honored in our world today? Are we defending Him? Are we as zealous about defending His honor as a middle schooler is zealous about defending his mother? Are we as zealous about God’s honor as He is? Would we fight for His honor if it came to that?

I know Scripture tells us the meek inherit the earth, that we are to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and live at peace with everyone. And I think we mistake that for tolerance. How do we balance that, and also defend God’s honor?

For me, it might mean I need to start mentioning it when a friend uses God’s Name as a punctuation mark. I need to speak up when someone attributes something to God that’s not consistent with Scripture. (which means I need to know what Scripture says)

I need to be, with Paul, “not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” (Romans 1:16) And I need to zealously defend God’s honor, with an attitude of love. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

Although, Phinehas ran a spear through the couple who were dishonoring God. Please don’t do that.

But maybe eradicating sin for me means ending relationships with those who turn a deaf ear when I defend God’s honor. Maybe it means turning off certain TV shows, and writing the network a civil letter telling them why I did. It might mean doing my homework before I buy something to see what the company supports. I don’t know. I’m just brainstorming with myself here. I hope you’ll do the same and consider how you can defend God’s honor today.

That is, if you want to defend His honor, or if you see the need to. But don’t miss what else this passage of Scripture tells us. God made a covenant of peace with Phinehas for defending His honor. I believe our efforts, no matter how insignificant we think they might be, do not go unnoticed by the One whose honor we defend.

God, I want to honor you with every breath I take. I want to be aware when you are dishonored in my hearing, and I ask you to give me the courage to speak up. I want to honor you with the choices I make, and the words I say. I want to honor You because You deserve honor, now and forever.

March 7; Stand Strong

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Numbers 22-24

I love this story. I confess I laugh out-loud nearly every time. I get to where the donkey speaks, and Balaam answers it as though it was the most natural thing in the world to be having a conversation with a donkey, and I just can’t help myself. It cracks me up.

Today, however, my heart is heavy after reading these chapters. It’s not just a story about a talking donkey. It’s a message for us in 2019.

Balak wanted the Israelites gone, so he sent a delegation of men to Balaam, a prophet of God, and asked him to put a curse on the Jews. God, of course, told Balaam not to do such a thing, and Balaam made that clear to Balak’s men.

But Balak wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. He sent another delegation, this one more impressive than the first. They, too, asked on behalf of Balak for Balaam to curse Israel. Again, Balaam said he would not go against God, but then he agreed to go to talk to Balak in person.

It occurs to me Balaam had two chances to nip this in the bud. Twice he could have (should have) said “No” and stood strong. But he gave in just a little. And that put him in a tough situation. Now he was face to face with a very persistent Balak.

We read that Balaam goes through the motions of doing what Balak is asking of him, getting right up to the actual curse on Israel, but instead pronouncing a blessing on the Jews. Not what Balak wanted to hear.

But Balak is not easily swayed. He suggests they move to a different spot. Maybe Balaam could curse God’s people from over there instead. Balaam follows Balak, but ends up blessing Israel for the second time.

I love what Balak says next: “IF YOU CAN’T SAY ANYTHING BAD, DON’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.” (23:25) Doesn’t sound like he was too pleased with Balaam at this point. But not displeased enough to give up on what he wanted.

So, (I’m shaking my head as I write this) Balak leads Balaam to a third spot. Again, Balaam goes through the motions to appease Balak, and ends up not only blessing Israel a third time, but he goes on to spell out what was ahead for Balak and company. And it wasn’t good.

When I read this I find myself asking, why on earth didn’t Balaam stick to his original “No” and not even entertain Balak’s men, much less go with them? Why would Balaam build altars, sacrifice animals, after God told him “No.” And why would he follow Balak around like a lost puppy, doing what Balak told him to do, instead of what God said? Did Balaam want Balak to like him? Did he think he could change God’s mind, or catch God off-guard? Did Balaam find himself wanting to fit in to Balak’s world?

Ok, Church, this one is for us. God has given His Word to us as plainly as He gave it to Balaam. The Bible you have on your nightstand is the Truth. Period. So why do so many of us want to tweak it, or only hold on to the fun stuff while ignoring the Truth that breaks us?

Why, when Satan sends his delegates to ask us to compromise, do we even entertain the notion? Why do we follow the world, even if from a distance? Do we think we will change God’s mind, or catch Him off-guard? Is it more important for us to be accepted by the world than to stand for God’s Truth?

Satan’s delegates sound spiritual, loving, tolerant, enlightened, progressive, even philanthropic. But, friend, they are still Satan’s delegates.

Balak wanted the Jews gone. And he did not give up easily. His persistence wore Balaam down, and because Balaam didn’t stand by what he knew to be true, Balaam found himself in increasingly more difficult situations.

And, friend, Satan wants the Church gone, too. Don’t think for a minute he will give up easily. He is infinitely more persistent than Balak ever was.

This is why my heart is heavy. I see so much of Balaam in us. I think that because we Christians have not done a very good job standing firm on the Word of God, we’ve put ourselves in a very difficult situation. We have followed the world, we’ve entertained the lies, we’ve decided it’s important for us to blend in, and we are finding it harder and harder not only to stand on the Truth, but to even recognize the Truth.

I believe it’s because we Christians haven’t done a good job of standing for God’s Truth that babies are being murdered, that blatant sin has become the norm, that our world is where it is today. Oh, we can blame non-Christians all we want. We can contribute it all to Satan. But, I’m not so sure we don’t have a great deal of responsibility ourselves. We’ve put ourselves in a pretty tough spot because, like Balaam, we didn’t nip this in the bud right at the beginning.

It would have been so much better for Balaam if he had said the original “No” and meant it. It would have been easier for us if we had done the same. But we are in a delicate situation these days, put there by our own doing. What are we going to do about it?

God help us stand for His Truth starting today. I still believe God is greater than all the evil in this world. I believe that He is not ok with anyone dying without knowing Jesus as their Savior. And I believe God not only can, but wants to turn things around in this country and in the world. Come on, Church. Do we believe God’s Word or not?

Then let’s act like it. Let our “No” be “No” and our “Yes” be “Yes.” Let’s stand strong.

March 6; It Might Be Contagious

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Numbers 19-21

Jacob’s descendants, the Israelites, went to Esau’s descendants, the Edomites, to ask permission to cut through their property on their way to the Promised Land. When last we saw the brothers they were reunited, their past differences seemingly forgiven. But here we are hundreds of years later, and the bad feelings seem to have resurfaced. The king of Edom threatened to go to war with his cousins if they stepped foot on his land.

I don’t know why the Edomites reacted so strongly against Israel, why they didn’t trust them to walk through the land and keep their word not to disturb anything. Was it because Esau didn’t trust Jacob so many years ago? Was that something the Edomites grew up believing? “Never trust a son of Jacob.”

Was it because of jealousy? “Why are Jacob’s descendants so blessed by God? We’re Abraham’s sons, too.” Was their refusal to allow the Israelites to cut through their land just meanness toward people they envied?

It has me thinking about the things we say, the attitudes we display, the prejudices and opinions we express in our homes and in front of our children. Many people are able to break away from toxic parenting, and allow God to shape their attitudes instead of simply adopting their parents’ attitudes. Many are not able to do that, and live their lives with the same destructive thoughts and actions as their parents and, often, their grandparents.

But there is a flip side. If peace, and love, and holiness, patience, kindness, and joy are lived in your home, just maybe your children will follow your lead when they are old enough to choose their own attitudes. Just maybe they will learn from you to base their view of the world on God’s Word instead of the nightly news, to love instead of hate, to be holy instead of blending in with the world.

Which gets me thinking about something else. What kind of attitudes and opinions are rubbing off me and onto the people with whom I have contact? I represent God, or religion, or the Church, or Christianity when I wear Christ’s name, when I profess to be a Christian. Do I want people to adopt my opinion of God, my view of the world, my attitude toward sin and forgiveness?

I believe our attitudes and our beliefs are contagious. What are others catching from us?

March 5; God Gives

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Numbers 16-18

All the Levites had jobs to do in caring for the Tabernacle. But only Aaron and sons were priests. Yes, priests were the most visible, their duties often performed before thousands, while the Levites got stuck packing up the spoons. And, as often happens, jealousy broke out like a plague.

As I read this portion of Scripture, I’m reminded God has jobs for all of us to do in caring for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some are preachers and song leaders who fulfill their responsibilities before thousands, and some change diapers in the nursery, pull weeds on the church property, and wash spoons after the church’s covered dish dinner.

As children of God, He gives us all tasks He wants us to do. Can we do it without jealousy? Read these chapters in Numbers about what happened to the Levites who complained.

I’m also reminded that when God gives us a job to do, He also gives us what we need to get it done. I love how God provided for the day-to-day needs of the priests, as recorded in chapter 18.

I also love how Scripture tells us how God gives gifts to His children to be used for His work. I Corinthians 12 tells us the using of our God-given gifts is like a healthy body with fingers AND toes, ears AND eyes. When God gives us a job to do, He gives us exactly what we need to do it.

But the thing I love most as described here in Numbers is this: God gives us HIMSELF! The priests and Levites were not to receive any real estate in the Promised Land. Why?

I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. (18:20b)

Let that sink in. God is our inheritance. The Creator. The Sustainer of life. The Savior of mankind. God is all mine! (and yours if you know Him).

And God is all I need to do what He asks me to do, to be the woman He intends for me to be. God gives.

And gives.

March 4; Unforgiven

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Numbers 14-15

Mark tells us in his gospel that there is a sin God will not forgive. It’s not the sin of homosexuality, or even the murder of babies still in the womb. It’s not adultery, or idolatry, or stealing…

Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.

What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? I hope you’re sitting down.

But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the Lord, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him. (Numbers 15:30-31)

The next paragraph in chapter 15 gives an example. A Jew who knew that God had demanded the Sabbath be kept holy, went out and gathered wood anyway. Right there in front of people, an in-your-face defiance of God’s Law. The consequences? They took him outside the camp and stoned him to death.

Have you ever knowingly sinned against God? I’m pretty sure I know the answer to that. Even Paul struggled with this issue. Romans 7:15-20 is his admission that sometimes he did what he knew he shouldn’t do, and sometimes he didn’t do what he knew he should. So are we to assume Paul could not be forgiven?

I am reminded of 1 John 1:9. Does God forgive sin or not? The Bible is clear that God forgives a repentant soul. He is faithful and just. But, an unrepentant soul He will not forgive.

And that’s what I feel God would have us consider today. If you are knowingly holding on to a sin, maybe hatred or jealousy, dishonesty, adultery, homosexuality, gluttony, laziness…, be warned:

God does not forgive an unconfessed sin. He calls it blasphemy. And He takes it very seriously.

March 3; Let’s Do This

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Numbers 11-13

Back in June of 2015 I wrote about a former student of mine who lives his faith in God out loud. (They Hated Me Without A Cause). This young man is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. I thought about him today as I read these chapters in Numbers, because my friend is facing giants today.

Thirty years ago he was born three months premature, weighing in at a whopping 1lb 12oz. The doctor told his parents he hoped they’d have better luck next time. But this tiny baby spent 120 days in the NICU, then went home with his parents and has lived a perfectly normal life. I knew him as a middle schooler and trust me, he was a normal middle schooler! 🙂

He is a military veteran, married, and a hard worker. He has the most positive outlook on life of anyone you’ll ever meet. You never feel worse after spending time with this young man.

And he has cancer. Last week he was hit with the news that he will be fighting Stage 2 bladder cancer.

Moses sent out twelve men to spy out the land God had Promised to give them. Let’s not forget that fact. God had PROMISED to GIVE them the land.

You know the story: the twelve searched the land for forty days, came back with amazing fruit and a glowing report as to what that land offered. But instead of celebrating the good things God was giving them, all those men could focus on were the giants living there.

“It’s too much!” they complained. “We’ll never be able to defeat them.”

All the spies seemed to agree with this sorry assessment – except Caleb who exclaimed, “Let’s do this!”

I’ve never been diagnosed with cancer, so I’m not going to pretend I know what my young friend is feeling. He says he’s worried, and scared. He has questions. Who wouldn’t? He admits he knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But he, like the Caleb we read about here in the book of Numbers, says, “Let’s do this!”

He is not cowering in fear in the face of this giant. If you would visit his FaceBook page you would see post after post of Bible verses declaring God’s power, God’s goodness, God’s love. He continues to be a voice of one who has put his trust in the Lord Jesus, and whose faith is stronger than his fear. He knows God has promised him that He has a plan for him, plans to give him hope and a future. (from Jeremiah 29:11)

With his permission, I’d like to share this young man’s name, because his parents gave him a name meant to fight giants. His name is Caleb Jacob. Caleb, one of the two spies who saw God in the land of the giants.

I know many of you are facing giants of your own. They come in all shapes and sizes. But they are intended by the enemy to get our eyes off the Lord, to replace our confidence with doubt, to question God’s love or maybe even existence. I would challenge you to search the Scripture for God’s promises to you. Just like he PROMISED to GIVE the land to the Jews, He’s PROMISED His presence, His strength, His power, and eternity with Him to those who know Him.

Are you facing a giant? Be the one to take God’s hand and say, “Let’s do this.” Would you pray with me for Caleb and his wife Kassi as they begin their own battle with cancer? I pray God will be glorified as they face this giant, and may He be glorified as you face your own.

 

March 2; Come With Me

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Numbers 8-10

Moses asked his brother-in-law to stay and help him maneuver the Jews through the wilderness. “You know where we should camp. You can be our eyes.” (10:31) This exchange between the two men has me thinking about a couple of things today.

First, I’m asking myself if Moses forgot there was a  pillar of cloud and fire – God Himself – leading the people; moving when God wanted them to move, stopping when God wanted them to stop? Why would Moses think Hobab could do a better job? Or did he?

I think Moses might have recognized that God gifts His people with various abilities. Maybe he saw in Hobab an experienced camper and explorer, and someone who could use his experience to help Moses in those areas.

I see a leader who trusted God first and foremost, and then gave opportunity for people to use their God-given abilities to accomplish God’s plan. Warren Wiersbe reminds us,”Hobab’s wisdom did not take the place of God’s leading.” (With The Word, Oliver-Nelson Publishing,; 1991; page 91) It merely gave Hobab the chance to be involved in what God was doing there in the wilderness.

The other thing I see, and that which convicts me this morning, is Moses’ invitation itself. He and the tribes of Israel were heading for the Promised Land. “Come with us,” he said to Hobab.

That reminds me that I need to always have that same invitation ready to share, too. I am going to heaven!

Come with me.