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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(138) 18 May : Proverbs 13v23 / Numbers 10v11-12v16 / Psalm 34v4-7

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
We are quick to forget God's goodness, and so so quick to grumble. The Israelites head out, travelling just as the LORD leads. Yet despite his presence, despite his delivering them from Egypt and leading them to their own land, the people twice complain about their hardships, and then Aaron and Miriam do too. All three events provoke God's wrath, needing Moses to intercede just as Christ stands in the gap for us. Their repetition shows how slow we are to learn our lessons, and the vindication of Moses shows we should accept the leaders God has chosen for us. Chapter 11 focuses on how the people gumble over food, seeing their past life through rose tinted spectacles. It leads Moses to feel sorry for himself too. Yet in grace to Moses God grants his Spirit to elders to share the burden. And in demonstrating his great power, he provides meat of almost a meter deep, stretching thoughout and beyond the camp. We should pause to consider how incredible this miracle is. This is our God. How could we ever doubt his sufficiency in giving us what we need, and sustaining us through life until we reach our promised land. No, if we face hardship it is not because of a lack in him. And so rather than grumble we should trust. As you read consider the wrong attitudes being displayed and what a right response should have been.
Numbers 10:11-12:16

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.