Month: December 2019

Week 6: Day 2- Numbers 27:15-17

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Numbers 27:15-17

15 And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying,

16 Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

Explanation:

After hearing his fate, God’s decision not to let him into the promised land, Moses thins of the people and pleads with God to give them a leader.  He calls God “the God of the spirits of all flesh”.  He is appealing to the fact that God is the right one to pick the next leader because God knows the inner man and the outer man.  The scripture says that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

Moses interceded in the past for the lives of the children of Israel.  Here he intercedes for their future and for future leaders.

Application:

Godly leaders think about the future.  They plan for it.  They do this at least in part by investing in people who are trained for the future.  They train these people to train others.

Godly leaders look to God to lead them to the right people.  They look to God to find people who are faithful, available, teachable, that have initiative and a heart for the Lord.

Moses pleaded for the Lord to choose the next leader.  We should seek the Lord on who we ought to pour our lives into in order to make a difference for the future.

Response:

Take extra time today to pray for God to lead me in training future leaders.

Week 6: Day 1- Numbers 27:12-14

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, LeadershipLeave a comment

Numbers 27:12-14

12 And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.

13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.

14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

Explanation:

God gave Moses instruction about how his life would end and what would be next for the children of Israel.  He told Moses that he would see the promised land from Mount Abarim, but that he would not enter.  Why?  Moses had rebelled against God in not sanctify God in the eyes of the people at the rock in the desert of Zin.  The wages of his sin was death.

Application:

  1. Death is the inevitable consequence of sin for everyone in this fallen world, other than those who will be raptured.  Moses faced death and did not enter the promised land.
  2. God demands more out of those who are leaders.  The way we lead, especially in regards to how we point others to God, is of utmost importance to the Lord.

Response:

Since it is so critical how I lead to the Lord, I must…

  • Pray more intensely today
  • Seek wise counsel
  • Seek God’s direction
  • Rest in the fact that God has a plan and will help me to accomplish what He wants me to do.

Week 5: Day 5- Numbers 22:32-35

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

32  And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33  And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.34  And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.35  And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 

Numbers 22:32-35

Explanation:

God was not angry at Balaam because he went, but because he knew Balaams heart and plans in going. The word “perverse” (v.32) here has the idea of taking something good (here it would be obedience in going with God’s permission) and twisting it into something evil.

Balaam is so scared he is willing to go home. The “angel of the Lord” responds, “No. You’re going. But you will say exactly what I will tell you.” This is what happens.

Balsam was mad at the donkey. He perceived it as dumb, disobedient, and stubborn. Yet the donkey had more vision and sense than Balaam. In taking a beating from Balaam he saved Balaam’s life. One commentator said, “The irony is this lowly donkey had better vision to see the ‘angel of the Lord’ than did Balaam who was known as a ‘seer of the gods’.”

Application:

God deserves and demands total obedience.  Is it possible that the things we are mad at or see as hindrances are God-ordained?  They may very well be.

Response:

Is there anything in your life that you see as good, that you are twisting for your own selfish desires? Ask God to open your eyes to spiritual truth today!

Week 5: Day 4- Numbers 22:31

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

31  Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 

Num 22:31

Explanation:

God had opened the mouth of the donkey, and now he opened the eyes of Balaam.  What Balaam saw was the “angel of the Lord” in warrior position. He was standing, blocking the direction Balaam wanted to go, with the sword unsheathed and at the ready.  Of course Balaam’s response is somewhat expected.  He was fearful, and suprised.  He evened seem to surrender at a certain level.  He bowed down and fell flat on his face.  Was this worship?  I believe it was not worship, but fear.  Why?  Because later he is used to bring Baal worship to Israel (Numbers 31:8,16).  Maybe it was worship at this moment, but it did not ultimately transform his life.

Application:

There are always things that happen that I do not see.  God is at work, and He has a plan.  At the same time, much of His will is not a mystery.  It is found in His Word.  We must respond to His Word in obedience.  We must trust that God has a plan when we can’t see it.  

Response:

Are you fighting God? 

Are you going in a right direction with a wrong motive? 

Are you being disobedient in your walk?  STOP!  Trust God’s plan!