Your Daily Crossroad
Reflect
Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord . . .(Numbers 33:2)
Numbers 33 is a chapter in the Bible we might pass by without reflection. It appears to be nothing more than a long list of places tracing Israel’s pilgrimage from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival in the plains of Moab. But it must be important because it’s the only section in Numbers that follows with the words: “Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord . . .” (v. 2).
Why keep a record of this? Could it be that this list provides a framework upon which the Israelites emerging from the wilderness could retrace that forty-year journey in their thoughts and recall God’s faithfulness at each location?
I envision an Israelite father, sitting near a campfire, reminiscing with his son: “I will never forget Rephidim! I was dying of thirst, nothing but sand and sage for hundreds of miles. Then God directed Moses to take his staff and strike a rock—actually a hard slab of flint. I thought, What a futile gesture; he’ll never get anything out of that stone. But to my amazement water gushed out of that rock! A generous flow that satisfied the thirst of the thousands of Israelites. I’ll never forget that day!” (see Ps. 114:8; Num. 20:8–13; 33:14).
So why not give it a try? Reflect on your life—stage by stage—and remember all the ways God has shown you His faithful, covenant love.
Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Johnson Oatman Jr.
This devotion intrigued me because I would have been the one to pass by without giving it much reflection but after reading this devotion it gave me a much different light to the purpose and meaning behind Numbers 33 and I read it with a desire to understand the why and where. It has provoked me to give each chapter in God’s word a chance, even the ones that I may think don’t need much reflection, if it’s in The Bible, there is purpose and reason and it’s up to me to research it, dig deeper and find the meaning behind why God felt it to be of importance to add whatever it may be to the Bible. If it’s in the Bible then there is meaning and purpose.
Let us take the time today and count our many blessings and name them one by one. Take time to reflect on your life today.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Numbers 33
He is in control!
It makes me laugh that the disciples are described as terrified AFTER Jesus calmed the storm. We mere mortals are sometimes less afraid to die at the hand of what we know then to be saved by what we cannot comprehend. But thankfully, Jesus teaches us to trust in His powerful hand. The hand with the power to calm the seas is the same hand that will wipe every tear from our eyes. When we fear the power of the Lord, it ought not be a dreading fear but a respectful fear. Yes, He could destroy us with one gesture, but instead He draws us close and protects us.
When we are held in the hand of God, we ought to act and speak with great courage. The threats of a world that can be quelled merely by His voice have nothing to fatally wound us with. The world has the power to inflict temporary wounds, but the Lord will bring a permanent end to its evil.
Jesus has shown us His power many times, if we have the eyes to see it. The disciples had certainly seen Him perform miracles and yet they still feared a storm when the Creator of the wind and rain sat among them. Our perspective can be so near-sighted sometimes. We become paralyzed by fear of the bad things happening before us because we fail to look beyond the temporary circumstances to the One who is sovereign over all.
Granted, this is much easier said than done. It can be hard to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when the struggles of life keep yanking on us and screaming for our attention. But we will be far better able to address our struggles when we have the proper perspective. When we look at the Eternal One, we will remember that whatever else needs our attention is merely a light and momentary trouble. He is eternal and real. This life is very real, but it is also very short. Focusing all our energy on the moment when eternity lies before us is a silly waste.
We ought to present ourselves before Jesus Christ and say “Lord, you are forever good and in control of all. Look at this storm that is before me and do what You alone can do.” Then we can sit back and watch Him work in His perfect timing, trusting in His loving, powerful hands. The alternative is to panic as the disciples did. To act as though our world is ending and that Jesus is stuck along for the ride with us instead of realizing that He is in control of the car. The perspective is entirely up to us.
Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Mark 4
Light of The World!
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)
I recently read this and I felt it was worth sharing. Not long ago I went to a seamstress to have some clothing altered. As I entered her shop I was encouraged by what I saw on the walls. One sign read, “We can mend your clothes but only God can mend your heart.” Near it was a painting of Mary Magdalene weeping in anguish as the risen Christ was about to reveal Himself to her. Another sign asked, “Need prayer? Let us pray with you.”
The owner told me that she had run this small business for fifteen years. “We’ve been surprised how the Lord has worked here through the statements of faith we have posted in different places. A while back someone trusted Christ as their Savior right here. It is amazing to watch God work.” I told her I too was a Christian and commended her for telling others about Christ in her workplace.
Not all of us are able to be so bold in our workplace, but we can find many creative and practical ways of showing others unexpected love, patience, and kindness wherever we are. Since leaving that shop, I’ve been thinking about how many ways there are to live out our Lord’s statement: “Ye are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).
Dear Father, use me to be a light today to the world around me. I love You and want others to know and love You too. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 5:1-16
Change
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit . . .(Ezekiel 18:31)
When God created humans, He didn’t make robots. God made us in His image, and this means we can think, reason, and make decisions. We’re able to choose between right and wrong. Even if we have made a habit of disobeying God, we can decide to redirect our lives.
When the ancient Israelites found themselves in trouble with God, He spoke to them through the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel said, “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. . . . and make you a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezek. 18:30–31).
This kind of change can begin with just one choice, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13). It might mean saying no at a critical moment. No more gossip. No more greed. No more jealousy. No more ___________. (You fill in the blank.) If you know Jesus, you’re not a slave to sin. You can choose to change, and with God’s help, this personal revolution can start today.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ezekiel 18:25-32