Do Not Defile the Dwelling of God

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 31-35.

“You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel” (Numbers 35:34, ESV). God did not deliver Israel from their bondage in Egypt so they could pursue their passions and pleasures in impurity. He delivered them to be a holy dwelling place for Him. In like manner, Jesus did not deliver us from our bondage in sin so we could pursue our passions and pleasures in impurity. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (I Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV). I can’t say it any better than Moses and Paul, so I’ll just say it again: today, glorify God in your body.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if another part of the reading stood out to you. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is Number 36; Deuteronomy 1-4.

1251 to 1

Today’s reading is Numbers 26-30.

1251. That was the number to remember. 1251 sacrifices offered every year, not counting the personal freewill, peace, vow, and sin offerings, just to allow the presence of God with the nation of Israel. 1251 sacrifices offered every year so God would not destroy the Israelites for their sins (Numbers 28-29).

1. That is the number to remember today. 1 sacrifice offered nearly 2000 years ago allowing the presence of God with each of His children (Hebrews 9:23-28). Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our sacrifice and Lord. Praise the Lord!

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if some other part of the reading stood out to you.  Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is Numbers 31-35.

The Shout of a King is Among Them

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 21-25.

“The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them” (Numbers 23:21, ESV).

As far as Balak was concerned, Israel was kingless, leaderless, a mass of unshepherded people. But Balaam proclaimed God was among them. They had a greater king than Balak, and the shout of devotion and impassioned commitment to the king’s cause was among them. Israel would be victorious over Balak, Moab, and Midian. To the world, Christ’s church seems to be a leaderless mass and repeatedly seeks to curse us. But we have a King: Jesus. He is among us. We will be victorious. Let the world hear our shout!

We would love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if some other part of the reading stood out to you. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is Numbers 26-30.

A Rod, a Cross, and You

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 16-20.

“On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds” (Numbers 17:8, ESV).

Imagine the sight. A disconnected and dead staff sprouting buds, shooting forth blossoms, and producing ripe almonds. Our God is the God who brings life from the dead. No wonder He was able to take a cross, an emblem of torture and death, and make it for us a symbol of life. And if He is able to bring buds, blossoms, and almonds from that dead rod, what can He do with us? Today, refuse to be turned aside by thoughts of your dead past and instead trust in God’s power to bring life to your mortal body (Romans 8:11).

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if another part of the reading stood out to you. Let us know in the comments section.

Monday’s reading will be Numbers 21-25

God, not Me

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 11-16.

“I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a a nation greater and mightier than they,” said God to Moses. And Moses said, “AWESOME!!! That is what I’ve really been waiting for. Who needs these mangy Israelites? A nation from me would be better, and I could not only be a leader, I could be a patriarch.” Of course, that isn’t what happened in Number 14:11-20. Why? Because Moses was more concerned about God’s glory than his own. Oh the lessons I can learn from this example. Let’s think of ourselves less today and think of God more.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if some other part of the reading struck you. Let us know in the comments.

Tomorrow’s reading is Numbers 16-20.

The LORD Bless You and Keep You

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 6-10.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
–Numbers 6:24-26

I can’t think of anything to add to this. Be blessed today.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if another part of the reading stood out to you. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is Numbers 11-15.

What a Difference a Savior Makes

 

Today’s reading is Numbers 1-5.

The Mercy Seat, the throne of God–surrounded by the Most Holy Place, the Holy Place, the tabernacle, the courtyard, and even by the entire tribe of Levi (cf. Numbers 1:47-54). God was protecting His people from getting too close to His presence lest they be killed for their uncleanness. Yet here we are today, in Jesus Christ, cleansed, protected, and ushered into the very presence of God (cf. Hebrews 10:19-22). What a difference a covenant makes. What a difference a Savior makes. Praise the Lord!

We’d love to hear what you got out of today’s reading. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading will be Numbers 6-10