BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3,4 ESV

Life can be filled with a variety of challenges and opportunities. But none is greater than building a “house.” This metaphor reminds us of the importance of the family unit in God’s eyes. God created the family. He did so in creation when He declared, “It is not good for man to be alone.” From man Eve was created and she was called “Eve” because she would be the mother of “all living.” So the Lord envisioned the offspring of husband and wife and centrality of the family in the conception of His divine and sovereign plan.

In history God called Abraham and created a family of families that formed a nation. The promised land was given as a possession to family units. When God sent His Son to the earth, He sent Him into a family. We those who place their faith in Christ described as the “family of God.”

Building a natural family, building a spiritual family is hard work. That is why infant “dedication” is more like family “consecration.” It is a recognition of parents that God’s protection and guidance is needed, not just on a child but on parents.

What is needed is summarized in this Proverb; knowledge, understanding, wisdom. Each of these is needed and is inter-related. Knowledge is the process of learning. It involves the accumulation and awareness of a topic or issue. As I go through interviews as part of the candidate process, I am occasionally “stumped” by being asked about a specific policy or plan on record for the city about which I have no “knowledge.”

What you don’t know you can learn. But knowing doesn’t equate to understanding. I would at times make statements to legal staff at the Capitol, “I know what this bill says, but what does it mean?” In other words, how is someone going to apply these provisions to a specific situation, what is it going to permit or prevent that is not obvious based on the words? Knowing words, doesn’t equate into a full understanding. It is like listening to my grandchildren read and then asking, “do you know what it means?”

Wisdom is traditionally viewed as the judicious application of knowledge or understanding. How do I use what I know and understand to make decisions that impact my life and the future. Today, I was in a meeting where a presentation was made on demographic trends for our area. I can have knowledge about the various inter-related pieces of information and even understand what it means for the future of a community. Wisdom, however, creates a plan of action based on that knowledge and understanding.

This proverb doesn’t lay out these three qualities in a sequential order like I have explained them. It begins with wisdom, because wisdom is related to the big picture, the “dream” or “vision.” Knowledge is seen as “filling the rooms” because we are to be continually learning and growing as Peter said, “in grace and in knowledge of the Lord.” (2 Peter 3:18) We continue to learn what we don’t know and that equates to growth and maturity.

In these changing and challenging days we need wisdom, understanding and knowledge to build strong, families and strong communities of faith.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that You are able to grant to us the wisdom, understanding and knowledge that we need in our life and in our families. Give us eyes for the future and the path to take as we trust in You.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.”  ….A he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. Numbers 16:46-48 ESV

The Lord summons the people to gather. He tells them to separate themselves from Korah and those joining him in rebellion. Moses announces that, “if these men die of natural causes, the Lord has not sent me, but if something never seen before takes place….like the ground opening up and swallowing them; then you know it is the Lord who has called me to lead this people.”

As soon as Moses ends his statement the earth opens and Korah and his followers are “swallowed” by the earth, never to be seen again. How would you react? Would you run in fear? Would you bow in worship? The people did neither of these; instead they accused Moses of “killing the Lord’s anointed!” I guess you can say, “some people just don’t get it!”

As a result, the Lord brings judgment on the people with a plague and people begin to fall dead like being shot in battle. Once again we see Moses, man of mercy, interceding for the people by instructing Aaron to take incense from the altar as a prayer of intercession for the sins of the people. When he does the plague is stopped.

The compelling statement is, “he stood between the living and the dead.” I believe this is an important picture of those who intercede for others, especially those under God’s judgment. Compassion calls us to prayer for the guilty and to “rescue the dying.” Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

The incense that Aaron held is symbolic of prayer going up before the Lord. As the plague is moving through the congregation Aaron with censor of incense in hand “stands in the gap” between the dead the living. The living that were “next” to be judged by the plague.

This reminds me of the saying related to, “cursing the darkness, or lighting a candle.” Moses and Aaron were not willing for death to be the order of the day. While what was taking place was a natural consequence of the sin, hard hearts and rebellion of the people, they were not willing to just be “innocent bystanders” content in their own righteousness.

They took action and were used to end death and protect the lives of God’s people. The blind hymn writer of old Fanny Crosby, wrote these words,

Rescue the perishing,
  Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
  Weep o’er the erring one,
  Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

I took note of the first words of the second verse,

Though they are slighting Him,
  Still He is waiting,

Christ died for us when, “we were still sinners.” The Lord challenges us to “stand before the dead and living.” To be those who will care for those, who show little concern for their own lives and continually “put God to the test.”

As I write this I think of my friend Snow Peabody of Teen Challenge of Arizona, (and many like him) who for decades have been willing to stand between the “dead and the living” for those whose lives have been ravaged by addiction.

The challenge though, is for us all. The sins and judgment of some are more pronounced than others. But all those alienated from Christ face a day of judgement. We are called to intercede, to intervene and be those who promote true life, abundant life, found only in Jesus Christ.

Prayer for today…. Lord grip our hearts with the call of being those who will stand, “between the dead and living.” Help us to offer the incense of our prayers and to take action when and where we can to be those who, “rescue the perishing and care for the dying.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Now Korah…rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” Numbers 16:1-3 ESV

Here we go again. As if Moses had not faced enough challenges, tests and rebellion, now comes another. We don’t know what motivated the actions, perhaps an accumulation of events. Moses had faced the challenges of Miriam and Aaron. There was the grumbling about meat, there was the conflict over the report of the spies who surveyed the promised land and the rebellion of the people.

This group is not just the “rabble” or the easily disgruntled. These were some of the most influential individuals and leaders among the tribes. This was not just rebellion, but betrayal of trust as well. Their complaint? “We are all equal, we are all the same. God is among us as he is with you, Moses. So, why do you think you are special?”

This is Moses, the meek. This is Moses who took on God’s call as the reluctant leader. Moses, sees into the situation and addresses it for what it is. To Korah and his followers his asks,  “….is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also?” (Numbers 16:9,10 ESV)

Moses points out to them that the Lord had called them to a unique and special role from the congregation. So Moses calls all of them to come with a censor in hand in which is an offering of incense. The offering the Lord accepts will be known as chosen by the Lord and not their own initiative.

Moses calls these 250 to step forward from the congregation and addresses all of them, “If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.” (Number 16:29-30 ESV)

As Moses spoke these words it is like God “picked up on the suggestion” and immediately the ground opened and swallowed Korah and all his followers.

It is interesting how in our day, we see cries for “equality.” To many equal means the same status, the same outcomes for everyone. In this text we see the Korah spoke some truth. God’s Spirit was among all of His people. But that was not to be taken for granted and viewed as an irrevocable privilege. As God’s people they were to honor the Lord through their faith and obedience. They were to recognize those chosen for special purposes.

In God’s economy, there is equality and there are special gifts and callings for different individuals. Moses was chosen to fill a unique role for a special time. Joshua would succeed him and his role and calling would be different. After Joshua was gone the leadership role would be dispersed among the leadership of the various tribes. Finally Kings would rise up to lead and rule the people.

Unity and progress is achieved through a focus on a common purpose. Each contributing according to unique gifts and callings in the role in which the Lord has placed us. That was a concept that Korah and the Levities failed to understand and it cost them dearly and it impacted the entire congregation.

Prayer for today…. Lord, contentment with our calling and role can be a great challenge. Discontentment is the tool Satan uses to bring unrest and division and to disrupt God’s work. Help us to be mindful and on guard. When we prove ourselves faithful where we are at, it is You, Lord, who is the One who brings added responsibilities and opportunities in Your time.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.”  Numbers 14:23,24 ESV

It is easy to blend in and go along with the crowd. But to stand against the tide of the masses requires conviction and courage. That is what we see in Joshua and Caleb.

Caleb is specifically commended by the Lord as one who has a “different” spirit and has followed the Lord fully. Caleb was one who was able to see God above the obstacles. He took the Lord at His word and had a “the-bigger-they are-the-harder-they-fall” kind of attitude.

Ten of the spies looked at big people and became discouraged and fearful. Joshua and Caleb looked to a big God and was confident and eager.

Because Caleb had a “different” spirit, he received a different destiny than the rest of those who rebelled and refused to enter the promised land. Although he had to wait for forty years, he would enter the land the Lord had promised to his ancestors and his descendants would possess their inheritance.

It would actually be 45 years before Caleb received the promise. But he was as eager as the day when he spied out the land.

“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart….And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war…Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day…” (Joshua 14:7,10-11 ESV)

There you have one feisty octogenarian. We read this conclusion and fulfillment of the Lord’s promise. “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” (Joshua 14:14 ESV)

Hebron became a prominent city in Israel. It was a city of refuge. It was the city in which David ruled before he became King over a united nation. This city would be of significance because of the man who was willing to fully obey the Lord and to wait for the promise he had be given to come true.

Prayer for today…. Lord place in us a “spirit” that sets us apart from others. Help us to always fully obey You, knowing that as we do, it is the gateway to receiving great things from You. Grant us as well the patience until Your promise is fulfilled in our lives.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:1-4 ESV

You can count on it every time. Fear and rampant emotions cloud clear thinking and good decisions. I wish that I could say the I was immune, but I realize that it can be the downfall of any of us if we are not careful. We see it when Moses was at his “breaking point” as a leader. The people in the their constant complaining wore him down to a point that it became overwhelming.

The bad report about the land of Canaan and the prospects of success wore down the people. Their fears and outlook became exaggerated in their minds and emotions took over. We it described in vivid terms. “…the congregation raise a loud cry….people wept that night.” After a restless night filled with fear and anxiety, the looked for the most convenient scape goat. They found one in Moses. In the response of the people, the faithless spies were heroes and Moses was the villain with evil intentions. This is one situation where the view of the “majority” was wrong and the “minority report” was the one representing the Lord’s will.

They accepted defeat before even trying to work up their courage and trust in God to fight. It is interesting that their proposal was to replace God’s theocracy with a democracy. They want to choose a leader whose campaign slogan was “back to Egypt and the good ole days of slavery.” You have to be pretty desperate or suffer from a short memory to desire whips on your back and hard labor over trust in an all-powerful God.

Then we see God was ready to go to “Plan B.” The Lord says to Moses, “I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” (Numbers 14:12 ESV)

Moses in his meekness, intercedes for the people. The Lord listens to the intercession of Moses, pardons the people, but they still face the consequences of their unbelief. “Then the Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word…. But…none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.” (Numbers 14:21-23 ESV)

In the end the grumbling Israelites received what they spoke. They refused to enter the land. They said it would be better to die in the wilderness and that is what happened. Forty years, one year for each day they would continue to travel in the wilderness until the generation of slaves all died and a new generation was prepared to enter into the land promised by the Lord to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Mass hysteria is difficult to control. But on an individual basis, it is important to get control of our emotions in critical times and to say even out loud, “STOP! Think!” We then can begin to refocus from a mind driven by fear and emotion to the promises and reality of God who is greater, bigger and stronger than that which confronts us. He is able to by His peace, “keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:8,9) Paul told the Corinthians, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..” (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV) At times those “arguments…against the knowledge of God” can come from us as much as those outside of us.

Prayer for today….. Lord how easy it is for our emotions to take control and to dictate the direction and perspective of our situation. Enable us by Your Spirit to have a “time out” in order to allow You to speak to our hearts and to quiet the run-a-way thoughts and wrong conclusions that our fears, frustrations and disappointments would drive us to.

The busiest days of my week are coming to an end. I had two campaign meeting today and a follow up newspaper interview for tomorrow. The next 30 days will be important for my efforts. Your prayers are appreciated.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large…. But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:27,28,30

The Children of Israel are at the threshold of the promise land. The Lord directs Moses to send spies into the land. One man from each tribe to spend 40 days touring one end of the land to the other. They return to an eager crowd anticipating their report.

They give their factual report. It is a good land “flowing with milk and honey” with fortified cities inhabited by strong people. To this assessment Caleb speaks up and says, “let’s go take our inheritance and possess the land!” He is not looking at what is, but what will be and the promise of the Lord being fulfilled.

The other spies look at what is as an insurmountable obstacle. “…We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31 ESV)

In the contrast of these two views, we see Caleb with his eyes on the “milk and honey” and the bounty of the land and the others spies look at the walled cities and strong people who stood between them and the bounty of the land.

Caleb had his eyes fixed on a “big” God and the other spies on a “big” enemy. As a result they begin to exaggerate the challenges. “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height….and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” (Numbers 13:32,33 ESV)

Joshua and Caleb focus on what the land has to offer and the greatness of God. “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.” (Number 14:7,8 ESV)

We can observe what is inherit in human weakness and that is, negative reports are given greater credence than positive ones. There is a natural tendency to be motivated more by fear than by faith.

Often in our minds we can find the dialogue of the ten spies being played out. The opportunity is great, but the risk seems greater. Our minds can battle between faith and fear. Between looking for our own abilities and trusting in the Lord’s intervention.

The key as Joshua pointed out is pleasing God and obeying Him. There is an old saying, “Where God guides, He provides.” The New Testament proclamation is, “If God be for us who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Prayer for today…. Lord enable us to choose the report of faith and confidence in Your provision and protection. It is Your love that drives out fear and gives us the assurance that the “battle belongs to the Lord.” 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it.” Numbers 12:1,2 ESV

Numbers details a series of challenges to Moses’ leadership and a test of his character and God’s choosing of Moses as the leader of His people.

It is one thing to face criticism from those you lead, it is another when the rebellion comes from within your own family. In this account we see the attack coming from Moses’ sister and brother. Miriam and Aaron question Moses’ authority and representative as God’s voice to the people.

We see them attempting to elevate themselves and to take on authority not given by the Lord. However, it this was more than an issue of “who is in charge?” and “Who does God speak to and through?” The complaint arises because of Moses taking a Cushite woman as his wife. We don’t know if this was a wife addition to or to replace Zipporah, the Midianite wife of Moses whose father was Jethro.

What we do know is that Miriam and Aaron were upset with their brother and they made it into a leadership qualification issue and an occasion to questions Moses’ authority.

So often we see this in relational dynamics. There is the “issue” and then there is the issue. What is really troubling or what has upset someone is cloaked in a more reasonable sounding complaint or accusation. The examples of this in the course of human history and church life are legion.

We see Miriam and Aaron standing before the Lord and the Lord comes to Moses’ defense. They found that God did speak to them, but His words were not what they wanted to hear. The Lord says of Moses, “…He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.” (Numbers 12:7-9 ESV)

Miriam must have been the instigator because God’s judgment comes upon her and she becomes stricken with leprosy. Moses prays for his sister and the Lord responds, but Miriam is isolated outside of the camp for seven days. The result is not just the impact on her, with being removed from the camp, but it shows how her sin impacted the entire congregation.

As people are sitting around in the wilderness questioning why they are breaking camp and moving the answer is, “Because of Miriam.” The judgment on Miriam becomes a warning to all the people. It is one that the record will show they have a hard time paying attention to, but it is an obvious warning nonetheless.

We need to remember when criticism arises, that the “issue isn’t always the issue.” The Lord knows the hearts of all people, both leaders and followers and He is able to reveal the truth. We need to remember that attacks against leaders and sowing discord and division has ramifications that impacts many others.

Prayer for today…. Lord keep us from falling into the Miriam and Aaron trap. Help us to be honest when we are upset over an issue and be willing to confront in honesty and truth. Lord, when we are unjustly criticized help us to know You are able to come to our rescue. You know the hearts of all people. 

Today ended up being a busy day with my City Council campaign activities. I met with some friends for a small fundraiser, had an interview with the Home Builders Association and then met with some leaders of a Water Conservation District. This will be a busy but productive week.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?” Numbers 11:10,11 ESV

A denomination leader received a Monday morning phone call from a pastor. The pastor asked, “Have you ever told a congregation  ‘off”?” The leader said he hadn’t. The insight came when the pastor responded, “I wish I could say that!”

Have you ever been at a breaking point? That point where you have done your best, but the challenges grow bigger, not smaller? Have you ever voiced your frustration and complaint to God?

Once again we find the Children of Israel complaining in the wilderness. This time because they did not have meat to eat. They were tired of manna. Moses had had enough! He even cried out to God to “kill him” so he could be free of the burden of leadership. The people complained to Moses, Moses complained to God. God intervene for both the people and Moses.

What I observe is that before God addressed the complaint of the people, He took care of the leader.

 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone. (Numbers 11:16-17 ESV)

Moses wasn’t the first and certainly  the last leader to be at his wits end. Death even looked like a desirable option, but God had a different plane. Just as Jethro intervened for Moses in his practice of sitting alone in a place of judgement over the people, now the Lord intervenes for Moses at his breaking point.

God has seventy elders come before Him, sanctify themselves and then places His Spirit on them. “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied….” (Numbers 11:25 ESV)

The Lord also brought quail into the camp by the thousands and all the people had their fill and more as God provided and then judged them for their hard hearts and complaining. “While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague.” (Numbers 11:33 ESV)

God accomplishes His work through human servants and leaders. But He is concerned about the well being of the leader and we should be as well. The Lord wants many to share in the task and for the leader to remain strong and for the people to be blessed. Complaining and demanding our own way brings judgment. Faith and obedience bring blessing and provision.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that You don’t abandon us at our point of need. You come to our rescue and provide not just encouragement and strength, but practical solutions to meet a need. Enable us to keep our eyes on You in trust and obedience as we follow You to our “heavenly promise land.”