SUMMARY OF TODAY'S READING
Numbers 12 Summary
Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses and because of Moses' calling and humility before God, God avenges Moses by bringing leprosy on Miriam; and Moses, being humble, intercedes and God does not kill her.
Number 13 Summary
It was time to spy the promised land and go claim it, but 10 of the 12 spies return with a bad report. A victim mentality is embraced while the 2 godly spies, Caleb and Joshua, gave a biblically optimistic report.
Number 14 Summary
The people become depressed and suicidal and speak against God and Moses. Joshua and Caleb attempt to inspire them with Biblical optimism and as a result they attempt to stone them but God rescues and prepares to kill Israel. But humble Moses intercedes and God relents but vows to not let one of that generation enter the land except Joshua and Caleb. The people end in great mourning after realizing they should have believed and went in, and the chapter ends with the enemy coming in and beating them down as they run for their lives! Let us believe the Word and obey it that we may not have to be disciplined like they.
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Numbers 12
Numbers 13
Numbers 14
Mark 5
NOTES
God Protects Humble Moses - Numbers 12:2
Humility is impossible for God to resist. Moses is called the most humble man on the earth in the context of having his leadership questioned by Miriam and Aaron. Moses did not enter into a fight and defend himself, he let God. Humility in potential conflict is key. Note that humble Moses even intercedes for Miriam once she was struck with leprosy, and the Lord listened. Wow! Be humble next time you are offended by doing and saying what God desires, he will give you grace and defend you. Be like Moses.
They Are Too Strong For Us - But What About God? - Number 13:31-33
Note the belief the unfaithful spies had about themselves in light of the size of the enemy - "we were like grass hoppers". It was not that they needed to believe in themselves more, but in the call and Word of God who promised then the land and was commanding them to fight. We must look beyond the size of the enemies and circumstances and our lack of resources, and to God to see what he wants us to do. Faith in God and obedience to the Word of God is the victory not more faith in self and self esteem.
If The Lord Us Pleased with Us, He Will Bring Us In - Numbers 14:8-9
Caleb and Joshua, the two faithful spies, model the right response of faith and obedience. Note what they believed about the Lord and the enemy - our God has commanded us, our God has removed the protection of the enemy, He is for us. Faith in God and His Word is the victory, instead of faith in ourselves.
Your Corpses Shall Die in the Wilderness - Numbers 14:28-30
As a result of their unbelief which led to the rebellion, that generation of Israel was denied access to the promise land. Caleb and Joshua would be the only remaining Israelites from the current generation that would set foot in the promise land. Let no fear or desire keep you from believing in the power and promise of your God, or you will not endure obediently in the battles of life.
Mark 5
Vs 7 - Demons know Jesus is superior and fear His torment. "We will not fear for God has willed His Truth to triumph through us - The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him, his rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure - One little Word shall fell Him."
Vs 13 Jesus had to give the demon permission. The demon could not choose as he wills but as Jesus willed.
Vs 34 She believed Jesus had power to heal physically this infirmity - no one else had been able to help her. Verse 26 said she "endured" much attempts at the hand of others. Let us go first to Jesus with our needs. Let us by prayer seek to touch him by faith for our need. Let us speak to him of the physical and spiritual needs we have. He, in the end, is the one that decides how he will meet those needs, but let us not be lazy in asking. He has asked us to ask!
Vs 41 Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead! He has power over death. How amazed the people must have been. A man who has power over demons, over disease, and over death itself. And the best was yet to come - power over sin and hell which would not be seen until His death and resurrection. Let us never get so focused on the temporal needs Jesus can meet that we miss out on the bigger eternal and internal needs he came to earth to meet. We need His power over sin and its eternal penalty. we need to know the living God and have a new heart for God. We need His power over our inclination to do wrong and rebel. Let us not forget these needs as the most important things we must hunger for from Him; even above physical healing - our soul healing from sin's disease is our greatest need that we may glorify and enjoy God forever.
End with Prayers of:
- Adoration - Praise Him and Boast in Him for who He is in today's reading.
- Thanksgiving - Offer humble gratitude for big and small blessings in your life - at least 3 new things
- Confession - Admit to the Lord areas you have resisted him or grieved him privately or in relationship.
- Petition - Ask him for specific help for the many needs of others and you - that you may have power to do His will and see it today.
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