God Speaks
A Bronze Snake, The Defeat of Opposing Kings, A Royal Summons, A Talking Donkey
Verse of the Day: [May all God’s servants live by Balaam’s statement here.] “But Balaam answered them, ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.'” (Numbers 22:18 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 063
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Numbers 21-22:
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 21
1. God directs His people so that they will carry out His plans. When they refuse and rebel, He sends some kind of distress to correct them. When they confess and repent, the LORD is merciful and graciously heals, restores, and gives them victory. (Repeat, repeat, repeat)
2. God’s people continually rebel, suffer consequences and judgments, repent (at least superficially), return to the LORD to obey Him, worship Him, and enjoy His blessings. (Repeat, repeat, repeat)
Numbers 22
1. God will use anything necessary (even enabling a donkey to talk) to get the attention and obedience of His servants.
2. People should pay attention and do only what the LORD tells them.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Numbers 21-22?
Dear LORD God, You are a good father who directs, protects, and corrects His children. Thank You for all the ways that You have directed, protected, and corrected me whether I realized it or not. I know that, as my loving Heavenly Father, I can trust You to continue to do so even when I am rebellious. I admit that I have gone against Your will by _____________ [be honest with God and yourself: name something specific]. Thank You that I am forgiven because Jesus died for that sin, too. Use unusual means if necessary to get my attention. Please, in Your grace, get me back on the right path. Help me, Holy Spirit, to do and say only what You tell me. Bless me, Father God, and show me how I can bring glory to your name, 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 21-22? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will confess my sinful rebellion to the LORD (and perhaps to other people as He directs).
- I will ask permission before entering private property.
- I will do what the LORD says and fight for what is right.
- I will look for any unusual ways that the LORD may be trying to speak to me and/or correct me.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.