Victory in Christ

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

God never promised His followers a life on this earth free of trouble.  But as the Psalmist said, He is the one we can look to for strength at all times.  “I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalms 91:2)  Our Heavenly Father knows that we will sometimes struggle with making the right decisions.  He knows that this life will sometimes wear us down.  But He is never weak.  He is always there for us with the right answers.  “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 40:28-31)  As Paul told the Christians in Philippi, we just need to bring everything to God and He will take care of it.  “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Today’s reading: Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90

Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan.  Ten of the twelve spies were afraid of the large men that lived there.  Two of the spies had a totally different opinion.  “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, ‘The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.’” (Numbers 14:6-9)  We should have the same attitude as Joshua and Caleb.  If we are living according to God’s word, He will be with us and protect us.

Today’s reading: Numbers 11-13

The Bible records many times when the Israelites complained about something.  On one occasion they were complaining because they had food but they did not have any meat.  God was not happy with their lack of contentment.  “And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.” (Numbers 11:1)  Paul tells us thru his letter to the Philippians that complaining is not something Christians should do. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” (Philippians 2:14)  He continues on giving us reasons why we should not complain. “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” (Philippians 2:15)  In most every situation we can find something to complain about.  In that same situation we can also find something to be thankful for, but it just depends on what we are focusing on.  We know which way God wants us to focus.  “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Today’s reading: Numbers 8-10

Moses was able to directly hear the powerful voice of God. “Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.” (Numbers 7:89) The Hebrew writer describes how we can still feel that power of God’s voice today. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 7

We read here of some of the many sacrifices that had to be made under the old law.  There were offerings of grain, oil, goats, bulls, ram, and lambs.  I am thankful that we do not live under that law.  It sounds like a lot of work and a lot to remember.  The one Sacrifice came to this earth and suffered to be a replacement for the requirements of the old law.  “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)  “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)  When we struggle in this life, we can look to the One who understands what we are going thru.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)  He was our sacrifice and perfect example and we should strive daily to glorify and honor Him.

Today’s reading: Numbers 5-6

In this chapter, God commanded Moses and Aaron to take a census. “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house,” (Numbers 4:2) These people were counted and also given responsibilities of service. “According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 4:49) Today as children of His we also have responsibilities of service. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” (Titus 3:8) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 4