Tag Archives: choices

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 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.

February 3

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Exodus 4:18-7:13, I Chronicles 6:1-4

When you read this Scripture today were you bothered by the fact that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart? The way it reads sounds like God might have a “harden heart” button He can push at will. Is that what happened here?

Here’s what I think I know about God. He loves you. He loved Pharaoh and would like to have had a different story recorded here. If things had been different we might read about a king who recognized the One True God and willingly allowed the Israelites to go home. But since God knew the end from the beginning He told Moses that Pharaoh would reject all the signs and each time he did, his heart would grow a little harder toward God.

So did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Of course He did. Scripture says so. But it wasn’t against Pharaoh’s will. It WAS Pharaoh’s will… his choice to reject God.

God didn’t make Pharaoh reject Him. That would not be consistent with the God who so loved the world. But as created beings with the ability to choose, God created pliable hearts. The lesson we can learn from Pharaoh is this: If we respond to God our hearts remain pliable. We are convicted of sin and we repent. Our pliable hearts can nearly burst with joy just by praising the One who forgives. God can tug at our pliable hearts and we obey.

But if we reject God, if we ignore guilt over sin, our pliable hearts become hardened. That’s just the way we were created. And with each denial of God’s Truth our hearts grow harder still.

We, like Pharaoh, run the danger of allowing our hearts to become so hard we no longer fear God.

I hope you are going to go to church today where the gospel is preached, where Christians gather to worship, and where you can re-charge to continue God’s work this week. As we gather, let’s do so with pliable hearts. And if there is some hardening going on, I pray that we will allow God to do some heart surgery right there in the pew!

February 1

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Genesis 47:13-50:26

Every time I read this passage I am struck by what occurred between the brothers after their father Israel died. They had lived for years in Egypt with Joseph. Their brother protected them and cared for them. But somewhere in their hearts they still felt guilty for mistreating Joseph in the past and were afraid his kindness to them was merely for their father’s sake.

What Joseph says to them after they bury Israel is something I am reminded of during tough times. They had meant to harm Joseph but God had another plan. God took Joseph’s captivity, used Joseph’s obedience, and provided salvation for Joseph’s family.

God didn’t make the brothers sin that day they threw Joseph in the well. That is not consistent with his holiness. But because the brothers sinned and because Joseph remained faithful, God was able to use the situation to bring about good.

We make choices every day. Sometimes we choose to sin. Sometimes we choose obedience. And even if I am going through a difficulty not of my choosing, I want to remain faithful like Joseph did.

It is then, and only then God can accomplish something good out of the pain.

God, my heart is hurting. May you find me faithful and allow you to use these painful circumstances to reach someone for Jesus’ sake.