Victory in Christ

As the Israelites were taking over the promised land, Moses reminded Joshua how they were able to accomplish this great feat.  “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22)  When some seemed to doubt Jesus’ power to raise a young girl from the dead, He also encouraged them to not be afraid.  “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’” (Mark 5:36)  Just like David expressed in that famous 23rd Psalm, we can be assured that if we walk in the Lord’s path He will be with us always.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 1-3

In Numbers 35 we read of God’s dwelling place among His people. “Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.’ ” (Numbers 35:34) Even though we can’t see Him, we have a way for Him to dwell with us even today. “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (1 John 4:12-13) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 35-36

When God let the Israelites go into the promised land, He commanded them what to do about the people already living there.  “then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.” (Numbers 33:52)  He knew what bad influences could do to His people.  Paul also warned the Corinthians about this same thing.  “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)  The Psalmist reminds us that we should not only avoid evil, but we should fill our lives with good.  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” (Psalms 1:1-4)

Today’s reading: Numbers 33-34

The people of Reuben and of Gad desired to take their land before they crossed the Jordan.  “But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, ‘Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?’” (Numbers 32:6)  Just like was expected of them, we are to help out those who are in need.  “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)  Paul made a similar statement in his letter to the Galatians.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Today’s reading: Numbers 31-32

The Old Law required many very specific offerings to be made. One requirement was consistent: “Be sure they are without blemish…” (Numbers 28:31) The One who was sacrificed for us was completely perfect and without any blemish! “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:19) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 28-30

Moses received a rather severe punishment for not following God’s command.  “The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)” (Numbers 27:12-14)  Our punishment for sin would be even more severe without the saving power of the blood of our Savior.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Today’s reading: Numbers 26-27

Balak continued to try to get Balaam to go against God and curse the Isrealites. When Balaam would not do as he commanded, Balak was not happy. “Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times!” (Numbers 24:10) Balaam may not have always made the best decisions, but he knew from where all blessings flow! “So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, ‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak’?” (Numbers 24:12-13) Just as Jesus said, we must have our priorities set right. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 23-25

Balaam asked God what he should do about the messengers that Balak had sent.  “God said to Balaam, ‘You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.’” (Numbers 22:12)  Balaam passed along that message to the first group that asked, but when a second group came asking the same question, Balaam went to God again even though he knew what the answer should be.  He ended up going and God was not pleased with Balaam.  “But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.” (Numbers 22:22)  Our Heavenly Father gave each one of us the free will to make our own decisions just like he did with Balaam.  When it comes to making the decision to follow the Lord or not, we have the words of Joshua.  “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)  God gives us all ample opportunity to follow Him.  “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)  He is patient with us, but as the next verse tells us there will come a day of judgement that we must all be prepared for.  “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Today’s reading: Numbers 21-22

When God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out, Moses disobeyed.  He struck the rock twice instead of just speaking to it.  God let Moses and Aaron know what their punishment would be.  “And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’” (Numbers 20:12)  Moses took into his own hands what he thought needed to be done to solve the problem.  He did not trust God nor give God the credit for the water that appeared.  No matter what is going on in our lives, if we will take it to God in prayer and truly trust Him, He will provide the best solution.  “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28)

Today’s reading: Numbers 18-20

We know God is a god of love, but we also read of the wrath of God. “And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” (Numbers 16:20-21) That wrath is also seen toward evil that tries to corrupt His truth. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” (Romans 1:18-19) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 16-17