February 26, 2006 - Numbers 12-14 and Mark 5:21-43
I have been preaching on "God's Rest" out of Hebrews for the past several weeks, so this passage of Numbers is very close to my heart. I pray that it spoke directly to you, especially if you have been following along in the book of Hebrews. I know God has a message for us in this that is vital to our Christian growth and happiness.
In Numbers 12 we see a problem of pride and submission to God's will. Miriam and Aaron felt that Moses had erred by marrying an Egyptian woman. They felt that this showed his weakness, so they should be just as important as Moses in leading the people. This all came from their own inflated view of themselves. There is no evidence Moses was out of God's will. In fact, there was a lot of evidence that He was in God's will, since the Lord continued to speak to him face to face. Therefore, God sent His punishment on Miriam, who must have been the instigator of the rebellion. She was struck with leprosy for 7 days. I think God got her attention, don't you? I think He can get our attention today, when we act in pride.
In Numbers 13 and 14 we read the tragedy of Israel failing to trust God and to enter the Promised Land. Look at it from God's point of view for a moment. He loved them. He brought them out of Egypt. He had prepared a land of milk and honey. He promised to lead them in and to give them victory over their enemies. He was waiting for all of this to be realized by His people. He was excited for them. Then, they said, "No! We can't do it. The people are too strong. It is impossible." Can you imagine the disappointment of God? Can you understand why He wanted to start over again with Moses and create a new nation of people, who would trust Him? Can you see how millions of Christians do the same thing today? Can you sense how God's heart is still breaking? It will be a sad day when most Christians stand before the Lord, and He shows them what He had prepared for them, and He contrasts that with how they wandered in the wilderness all their lives. Please, don't let this happen to you. Trust the Lord daily and follow His will for your life. It is much better than what you can do on your own.
Mark 5 shows us the same truth. What is Jesus able to do in these two lives? He is able to do what no doctor can do. He is able to raise the dead, if necessary. He is Lord of heaven and earth. Why do so many people doubt Him? Do you know that He can provide what you need? Do you know He can work miracles in your life? These are not just Bible stories. These are the reality of life with Jesus in control. Surrender to Him today. Reach out for the hem of His garment. Watch Him raise the dead in your life. It will only happen in response to faith in your heart toward Him. You can't do anything else on your own, but you can surrender in faith to Him. When you do, He can make things right.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 15-16 and Mark 6:1-29.
In Numbers 12 we see a problem of pride and submission to God's will. Miriam and Aaron felt that Moses had erred by marrying an Egyptian woman. They felt that this showed his weakness, so they should be just as important as Moses in leading the people. This all came from their own inflated view of themselves. There is no evidence Moses was out of God's will. In fact, there was a lot of evidence that He was in God's will, since the Lord continued to speak to him face to face. Therefore, God sent His punishment on Miriam, who must have been the instigator of the rebellion. She was struck with leprosy for 7 days. I think God got her attention, don't you? I think He can get our attention today, when we act in pride.
In Numbers 13 and 14 we read the tragedy of Israel failing to trust God and to enter the Promised Land. Look at it from God's point of view for a moment. He loved them. He brought them out of Egypt. He had prepared a land of milk and honey. He promised to lead them in and to give them victory over their enemies. He was waiting for all of this to be realized by His people. He was excited for them. Then, they said, "No! We can't do it. The people are too strong. It is impossible." Can you imagine the disappointment of God? Can you understand why He wanted to start over again with Moses and create a new nation of people, who would trust Him? Can you see how millions of Christians do the same thing today? Can you sense how God's heart is still breaking? It will be a sad day when most Christians stand before the Lord, and He shows them what He had prepared for them, and He contrasts that with how they wandered in the wilderness all their lives. Please, don't let this happen to you. Trust the Lord daily and follow His will for your life. It is much better than what you can do on your own.
Mark 5 shows us the same truth. What is Jesus able to do in these two lives? He is able to do what no doctor can do. He is able to raise the dead, if necessary. He is Lord of heaven and earth. Why do so many people doubt Him? Do you know that He can provide what you need? Do you know He can work miracles in your life? These are not just Bible stories. These are the reality of life with Jesus in control. Surrender to Him today. Reach out for the hem of His garment. Watch Him raise the dead in your life. It will only happen in response to faith in your heart toward Him. You can't do anything else on your own, but you can surrender in faith to Him. When you do, He can make things right.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 15-16 and Mark 6:1-29.