God Speaks
Fire, Quail, Opposition, Exploration
Verse of the Day: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.'” (Numbers 11:23 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 059
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Numbers 11-13:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Numbers 11
1. God is willing and able to meet all our needs, but He will not tolerate complaining and ingratitude.
2. People often take God’s generosity for granted and grumble about lacking things they think that they need or deserve.
Numbers 12
1. God knows the hearts and abilities of people. He lifts up the humble and humbles the proud.
2. People frequently compare themselves with others and become jealous.
Numbers 13
1. God sometimes gives His people a glimpse of what He has in store for them in the future if they will just trust and obey Him, not their own perceptions.
2. Many times, it seems better or safer to trust our own perspective about a situation instead of relying on and obeying God. However, there are consequences (sometimes severe) if we do so.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Numbers 11-13?
Dear Sovereign LORD, thank You that You know my needs even before I do. Please apply Jesus’ sin-cleansing blood to my discontented attitude. Help me to exercise child-like trust instead. You generously meet all my needs. Holy Spirit, please convict and forgive me whenever I am being ungrateful. LORD, You know my heart and abilities. Keep me humble. Keep me from thinking more highly of myself than I ought, especially in comparison with others. Scattered throughout the Bible, You have placed glimpses of what You have in store for Your children in the future if we will just trust and obey You. Help me to rely on You instead of trusting in my own perceptions. Above all else, I want to bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Numbers 11-13? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will make a list of at least ten times God has met my needs, particularly in unusual or miraculous ways, then thank God for them.
- The next time I am tempted to complain, I will discuss the matter with God in prayer and thank Him for how He will deal with the situation.
- I will pray daily for my spiritual leaders and thank them for their assistance, direction, and the sacrifice of their time and effort.
- I will read the biography of someone like George Mueller who exemplified trusting God in all circumstances.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.