Today’s Tasting: Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90: The people of Israel were in an uproar, grumbling against Moses and Aaron. They asked, why didn’t we just die in Egypt? They asked why God had brought them to this country so they would die and their wives and children become prey. They wanted to go back to Egypt, now! But Joshua and Caleb, who had been among the spies who scouted the land, told the people that the land they had walked through was a very good land indeed and that if God was pleased with them, he would lead them into that land, a land that flowed with milk and honey. Then the people wanted to stone them.
God became very angry with the people for not believing in Him, in spite of all the wonders they had seen Him perform. He told Moses that not one person who had seen His Glory and the miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness would live to see the promised land.
Psalm 90 is a prayer that Moses prayed. Here’s part of that prayer: God, it seems you’ve been our home forever; long before the mountains were born, long before you brought earth itself to birth, from “once upon a time” to “kingdom come”—you are God. … Are we no more to you than a wispy dream, no more than a blade of grass that springs up gloriously with the rising sun and is cut down without a second thought? … Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—and treat your servants with kindness for a change. Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long. Make up for the bad times with some good times; we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime. Let your servants see what you’re best at—the ways you rule and bless your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! (MSG)
Today’s Nourishment: I always say, “When God delivers you from your ‘Egypt,’ don’t go back!” In Numbers, we see that God didn’t want the people talking about going back to the land from which He had delivered them. He not only told them what he expected, He made examples of the ones who rebelled. It’s sad that we sometimes do the same thing the people of Israel did. We ask God to do something and when He does we get mad because maybe it wasn’t done the way we think it should have been, or we get upset for some other reason and gripe. God proved to the Israelites again and again that He’ll keep His promise, whether it’s a promise of blessing or judgment. And He keeps His promises to us today as well!
What amazes me most in these chapters is how Moses interceded for the people and God heard him, and spared the people. Isn’t it awesome that someone can stand in the gap for us and pray for God’s mercy upon us? I can’t help but wonder what great things God would do if we would stand in the gap and pray to God for one another just like Moses did for the people.
Prayer: Lord, help us to take your word seriously and take you at your word. Help us to know that you know what’s best for us even when it doesn’t feel or seem like it. Help us to follow your commands, no matter what. And, when you deliver us and set us free help us not to want to go back, no matter how hard it gets. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Numbers 16-17
Jacinta Hampton
Website: justjacinta.wordpress.com
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Jacinta, I echo your statement, “When God delivers you from your ‘Egypt,’ don’t go back.” Why do we want to go back? Sometimes, I believe that we are so familiar with those surroundings, we want to go back to the familiar instead of trusting the Lord in the unknown, instead of walking in faith. I also, reiterate your prayer, “Lord, help us to take you at your word….” Thanks for this Sunday morning word.
I believe we would have totally different outcomes if we seriously stood in the gap and prayed for one another. It worked when Moses did and it works today. God is not a respector of persons and He’s merciful. Think about how we feel when our children come to us with apologies for wrong doing, well He’s like any other Father who wants to do for their children especially when they’ve repented. Thank You Father for your mercy and setting us free. I’m like Jacinta, help us Lord to not want to go back. Thank You that You’re a God of promise!!