<\/p>\n
Numbers 11:1-13:33<\/strong><\/span> Today we begin to read about the Israelites discontent with God\u2019s provision and care in Numbers chapter 11, and this discontent & disobedience we will read about through chapter 25. As we read through these chapters, I do think we would do well to not point fingers at the Israelites and say that we would have behaved differently back then. I\u2019m not so sure that I would have. . . I think these chapters will very likely speak into our lives today and we might find that we are often not so different from the Israelites. In Numbers chapter 11 verse 1 today we read: \u201cNow the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused.\u201d<\/em> How does this verse speak to you today? I don\u2019t know about you, but for me this verse is convicting. Simply because I know that I often complain more to God than I actually thank God for the blessings he has poured out into my life. It really is incredible to stop and think about how good God is to us. In fact, one of our Bible participants in the past had a blog called \u201cGod is Good All the Time.\u201d And this is so true. And yet, what is our percentage of thanksgiving to God versus our complaining to God? I\u2019m afraid my percentage is way skewed toward complaining or worrying (worrying is really similar to complaining I think). I pray that as I go forward in my walk with God that I will do a lot more thanking and a lot less complaining & worrying. It is an amazing thing \u2013 this gift of life. Even in the midst of all of our daily challenges and storms, let us know that God is the anchor and harbor in our life. And he continues to pour out blessings upon blessings upon our life \u2013 oftentimes without us consciously being aware of the blessings. And oftentimes without us thanking God for the blessings. How about you? How is your thanksgiving of God\u2019s blessings in your life going these days?<\/span> Today in Numbers chapter 11 we read about God\u2019s Spirit resting upon 70 leaders!\u00a0 I loved verse 29 where Moses responded to Joshua\u2019s protesting of Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp: \u201c\u201dAre you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD\u2019s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them all!\u201d\u201d <\/em>This is great humility on Moses part!\u00a0 He was not threatened by others using gifts of the Spirit in public.\u00a0 \u201cI wish that all the Lord\u2019s people were prophets.\u201d\u00a0 These words of Moses remind me of a more modern day quote I read somewhere that went something like this: \u201cWe are all called to be saints.\u201d\u00a0 I like that\u2026\u00a0 Do you believe that you are called to be a saint? How will you be made to be a saint? Or, perhaps I should ask, through Whom will you be sanctified?<\/span> Below is an image for Numbers chapter 13, where we read about twelve scouts exploring the Promised Land, and Moses sending them out in verse 17 & 18: \u201cMoses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: \u201cGo northward through the Negev into the hill country.\u00a0 See what the land is like and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many.\u201d<\/em> <\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in Numbers today reminded me of Third Day\u2019s song \u201cConsuming Fire:\u201d<\/span>
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n