Numbers 22-25; Acts 20

I once admired the monks of old that holed up in a monastery somewhere and learned the rites and passages of the Bible and became wise in their studies. They learned things that others had no idea about. In many ways I thought this was the best way to live. So I get it when the Israelites were ordered to stay in isolation from other nations.

For I see him from the top of the rocks,
And I look at him from the hills;
Behold, a people that lives in isolation,
And does not consider itself to be among the nations. – Numbers 23:9 NASB

The outward separation can be a symbol of my inward separation from the world, and then my inward separation becomes an indispensable condition of my outward separation and safety.

When I think of the Amish, or where I live, the old order of Mennonites, I think that would affect my politics, my morality and the possession of peculiar privileges like it has theirs.

So I look at my alone time as not a separation but as a time to recharge, reengage and listen to the voice of God so that I am relevant to this world. Paul seemed to understand this.

But we went ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for that was what he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. – Acts 20:13 NASB

I never saw this before – while others sailed, Paul walked. Paul needed time to pray, mediate and seek direction from God. That is what I am looking to do too. They sailed forty miles and Paul walked twenty-five and he walked alone. Jesus used to draw aside from times like this too.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace. – Acts 20:24 NASB

I have put my faith in Jesus. I know that means my walk glorifies God and reveals Him to others. Paul was no stranger to dangerous journeys. He survived them because he knew he was with Jesus on the journey. I want to finish the race and complete the task Jesus has given me. I will need some alone time with Him, from time to time, in order for that to happen.

Father, Your gracious grace to walk with me and to meet me in my alone time with You goes as far back as Your walk with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening. I am blessed indeed to be on this journey and to know that You are with me always. Thank You.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Numbers 15-18; Acts 18; Ps.90

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. “When you finally settle in the land I am giving you, you will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These gifts may take the form of a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a voluntary offering, or an offering at any of your annual festivals, and they may be taken from your herds of cattle or your flocks of sheep and goats.” Numbers 15:1-3 NLT

Lord, I desire to offer my life to you in worship. “Let it rise like incense, my whole life a fragrance. Every ounce here broken at Your feet. Every breath an offering. My heart cries, these lungs sing over You. My worthy King of Kings.” -Alabaster Heart, Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal.

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Acts 18:9-11 NLT

I went to a Wednesday night service at my church. There was a simplicity to it that drew me in. I sat and listened to God. And I realized how distracted I have been lately. I pray that I stay quiet enough to hear your voice. I pray for more boldness & courage. I am thankful for examples like Paul. Thank you that You are still speaking Lord.

“Lord. you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you have formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1&2 ESV

Dear Father, Help me to order my days to seek after you. To do what you have called me to do. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let the favor of the Lord God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12-17 ESV

Amy(amyctanner)

Numbers 12-14; Acts 17; Psalm 27

We aren’t really all that different from those that lived in the ancient world.

Many misconceptions about God infiltrate the current world’s thinking and linger in the minds of many believers as well. Reading Paul’s words I am reminded of my need to flush out this thinking and saturate my mind in the truth about God.

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

Acts 17:29 ESV

I do not know many people that have created an actual idol to worship or that they think is a replica or fair representation of God, but there is still the pull to create God according to our own thinking and expectation. How often do I hear when wrestling with a challenging truth of scripture that “God couldn’t mean that”? However, just as he is not made of gold or silver, nor is he to be made according to any of my imaginings or reasoning.

²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything

Acts 17:25 ESV

The age old need to feel necessary also distorts my faith. I crave to bring God something he needs, to feel I have somehow earned or paid back all he has done for me. That’s really laughable when I read that in print. What could the creator of the universe need? What could I offer that he does not already have a million times over, a billion times over? He gave me life and breath and everything! There is no way to begin to repay even just the physical blessings he has given not to speak of the spiritual gifts of eternal life and salvation.

When I try to default to a man-made view of God I fall into foolish thinking, just like Israel did with Moses.

²⁷ “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.

Numbers 14:26 ESV

I, too, grumble that my life is hard.

the people mourned greatly. ⁴⁰ And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.”

Numbers 14:39b-40 ESV

I, too, feel human regret and scramble to make things right.

I am not all that different from the ancient Israelites and must constantly guard against that thinking and bring my heart back in line with God’s in humility and surrender.

Instead of seeking my own gain or following my own thinking, when I take the time to soak in the truth of God’s power and worth, then the praise overflows. Then my heart beats in unison with the psalmist.

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.
⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27: 5,6, 14 ESV

Trusting. Gratitude. Learning everyday anew to give thanks and trust, fully.

Numbers 31:48-33:56

Have you ever thought about those 40 years of the Jewish people wandering in the wilderness? I had this picture in my mind that families just woke up each day and followed the large group ahead of them, traveling first north and then south, now east, and then west. I thought they may have even found themselves back at a previous camping spot before the fire embers had died out in front of their relentless pulling up of stakes.

Yet, looking at a suggested map drawn from Moses’ written account (Numbers 33:1-49) of the starting points of their travels, I am impressed with a belief that in every step and every encampment, God was leading His chosen people to the Promised Land. And during this journey, the families were having babies, their children were growing, the warriors were fighting inhabitants of these foreign lands, the priests were serving God, and Moses was judging and instructing the people. Aaron and Miriam were buried along the way, and God raised up new leaders to take the place of Moses who died at the journey’s end. The Israelites may not have been able to see around the next huge rock formation, but they continued the journey, nevertheless.

Sometimes it is hard to see where God is leading me. I can look back at my own wanderings and wonder at the numerous places I’ve lived, the trials and tragedies, the miracles, and the remarkable blessings of God. Has my journey, thus far, just been meandering in the wilderness of sin (yes, I recognize the similarity to the Exodus), and so a purging and punishing walk? That is one perspective, and one that leaves me deflated with little joy in the Lord.

The bigger picture here, however, may be encapsulated in a short phrase found in Numbers 34:53. “…for I have given you the land to possess.” This is what God emphasized to Moses and how Moses was able to encourage the Israelites to keep moving. God gave them the Promised Land, and all the journeying and conquering along the way prepared His people to possess that land. Their faith refined; their obedience demonstrated; they learned reliance on Him.

What is the Promised Land to us today? Is it a place, a position, or an accumulation of material gain? Or is our journey leading us closer to “the letting go” of all that interferes with knowing Him? – With a real desire for intimacy with God, and reliance on Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit? Each starting point (His compassions fail not and are new every morning) can begin again the next step to being closer to His heart’s desire – that “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might,” (Deuteronomy 6:5, NASB) I pray to continuously follow Him. What a picture – we, hand in hand, walking with our Lord!

Janet (jansuwilkinson)

Numbers 24:1-26:34

I need to confess that when I look back on my life, I can see the moments where financial success was thwarted where I chose to honour God instead. I sometimes, in my darkest moments, feel the pain of being poorer than I really should be. When I read stories where the temptation to pursue wealth over obedience to God, I understand what was happening. It is no different than what Balaam was going through – and he really did not even know who God was before his story started. This is where the conflict started – Numbers 24:1-11.

Can you imagine someone telling you that you were going to be great, rich, honoured with rewards of unrighteousness – you were going to be promoted?

What makes this story special is that Balaam, being introduced to God by God showing up and revealing Himself, saw something different. He saw a strength that was not in power or wealth but in worship. They worshipped one God and God honoured them and held them in His hand as His people.

How many times have I missed the fact that God has already spoken for me, on my behalf. I remember vividly the two times He chose to reveal to me how He spoke to someone about me. I wish I could share those times with you but it would take too much space. I am sure that He has done it many more times and I was unaware.

God showed Balaam that these people, in front of him, would have honour and that they would advance to a place of more greatness and would make a far better figure in history than Balak and his people could ever be.

I believe the stories of the wonders of their deliverance out of Egypt contributed to their honour as well as to the terror of their enemies.

Let’s face it, Satan had a lot of material to work with as these people were notoriously faithless and dishonoured God often and grievously. I can feel God’s hand loving them and looking out for them regardless. There would be consequences but those would come from His hand and not from anothers.

The story ends with Balak telling Balaam that he can go now – taunting him with the honour and wealth he could have had. He states that God kept all of this from him. Balaam is now my hero for realizing that he was not missing out -there was far more at stake here and he made the right decision.

Father, thank you for Your Holy Spirit who helps me navigate a world that seeks wealth, recognition and honour from people who do not follow You. While I may struggle with certain things that others have, I have You. You are far more valuable and You make me far more wealthier than any person in this world ever could. You have given me eternal life with You. Thank You.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)