February 25, 2006 - Numbers 9-11 and Mark 5:1-20
God's Word is so rich. This morning I was overwhelmed by the ability of God's Word to speak to me in so many ways. I hope you had the same experience as you spent your hurried time with Him.
Numbers 9 speaks of obedience. The Lord told Moses to direct the people to keep the Passover so they would remember their exodus from Egypt. They were to do this every year, and this was their first year anniversary of the real thing. Can you imagine the memories this would have evoked? Can you imagine how it should have bolstered their faith? We should all have regular times of reflection upon what God has done in our lives. Then, the explanation of how they followed the cloud and the fire is daily obedience. Sometimes they stayed in one place for a long time and sometimes overnight, but they were always watching for God's leadership. They wanted to be right where He was directing them to be. Are you following God's leadership each day, or are you going your own way, and asking God to follow you?
Numbers 10 tells about the silver trumpets used to direct the 2 million Hebrews. When we have any size group, there must be some organization to work together. Moses used the trumpets to direct the people. They understood the organization, and then they set out for Canaan. We should do the same in our churches today. We must have a way of communicating and organizing God's people. Then, we should set out to follow Him in every way to the blessings He has for us. There is no better way to live here on earth.
Numbers 11 describes the challenges of leading a group of people. Complaining and discontentment are big problems. God does not like them, because they usually show a lack of faith in Him. He punishes people who complain. He blesses the content. Moses had to deal with so many people and problems that it wore him out. Therefore, God told him to appoint 70 elders to help him. He gave them the same Spirit that was on Moses so they could minister to the people. This relieved Moses. He was glad to have help. He was not jealous of those who had the same Spirit and could prophesy, too. Moses was a humble leader. I believe that is what God wants all of us to be. However, even Moses had a hard time believing God all of the time. How could God feed the people meat for a month? It was easy for God. He just sent the quail, so the people could pick them out of the air. God is so good and completely powerful. Let's not doubt His power.
Mark 5 shows His power to change lives. He took a man who was totally out of control and made him an example of sanity. He sent him back to his friends to be a witness of God's power. Isn't that Jesus' way of witnessing to the world? We are all to be living proof of His power. There is no arguing against a changed life. People can argue creation theories and the Bible, but it is impossible to dispute the change Jesus brings to an individual who comes to know Him as Savior and Lord. There is nothing like it in the secular world. Let's show others what Jesus has done for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 12-14 and Mark 5:21-43.
Numbers 9 speaks of obedience. The Lord told Moses to direct the people to keep the Passover so they would remember their exodus from Egypt. They were to do this every year, and this was their first year anniversary of the real thing. Can you imagine the memories this would have evoked? Can you imagine how it should have bolstered their faith? We should all have regular times of reflection upon what God has done in our lives. Then, the explanation of how they followed the cloud and the fire is daily obedience. Sometimes they stayed in one place for a long time and sometimes overnight, but they were always watching for God's leadership. They wanted to be right where He was directing them to be. Are you following God's leadership each day, or are you going your own way, and asking God to follow you?
Numbers 10 tells about the silver trumpets used to direct the 2 million Hebrews. When we have any size group, there must be some organization to work together. Moses used the trumpets to direct the people. They understood the organization, and then they set out for Canaan. We should do the same in our churches today. We must have a way of communicating and organizing God's people. Then, we should set out to follow Him in every way to the blessings He has for us. There is no better way to live here on earth.
Numbers 11 describes the challenges of leading a group of people. Complaining and discontentment are big problems. God does not like them, because they usually show a lack of faith in Him. He punishes people who complain. He blesses the content. Moses had to deal with so many people and problems that it wore him out. Therefore, God told him to appoint 70 elders to help him. He gave them the same Spirit that was on Moses so they could minister to the people. This relieved Moses. He was glad to have help. He was not jealous of those who had the same Spirit and could prophesy, too. Moses was a humble leader. I believe that is what God wants all of us to be. However, even Moses had a hard time believing God all of the time. How could God feed the people meat for a month? It was easy for God. He just sent the quail, so the people could pick them out of the air. God is so good and completely powerful. Let's not doubt His power.
Mark 5 shows His power to change lives. He took a man who was totally out of control and made him an example of sanity. He sent him back to his friends to be a witness of God's power. Isn't that Jesus' way of witnessing to the world? We are all to be living proof of His power. There is no arguing against a changed life. People can argue creation theories and the Bible, but it is impossible to dispute the change Jesus brings to an individual who comes to know Him as Savior and Lord. There is nothing like it in the secular world. Let's show others what Jesus has done for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 12-14 and Mark 5:21-43.