Posts with the tag “rebellion”

Today's Reading: Hebrews 3:1-19The writer of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 95, which we read last week. He reminds his readers that the people of Israel hardened their hearts in the wilderness and therefore were unable to enter into God's rest by entering into the land He had promised to give them.We are prone to do the same thing - just in different ways. When we complain and grumble, we are essentia...  Read More

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-33I referred to this passage last week when we read about Moses striking the rock. Here Paul gives us some more insight into why that sin received such harsh judgment from God. The rock that Moses struck was a picture of Jesus, who only had to be struck once for our sins. We also see here that Israel's entire experience in the wilderness is to serve as an exampl...  Read More

Today's Reading: John 6:1-71This is a long chapter, so I only have time here for a few observations.John connects the events of this chapter with the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is just about to begin. Jesus performs a miracle and feeds the large crowd with bread. The next day, wanting to see what else Jesus can do for them, the crowds follow Jesus to the other side of the sea. B...  Read More

Today's Reading: John 3:1-36This chapter contains Jesus' well known conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus about the need to be "born again". In verses 14-15, Jesus refers to the event that we read about last week in Numbers 21 where the people of Israel were "saved" by their faith when they looked at the serpent on the pole.We are saved in a similar way when we respond to the risen Jesus in...  Read More

This morning we'll be observing the Lord's Supper during our worship gathering. One of the ways that you can prepare your heart is to ask God to reveal any rebellion in your life that you haven't confessed to Him. Take some time to think about any complaining or grumbling in you life that might lead to hardening your heart against God....  Read More

You know the drill by now. Use today to catch up on your reading if you're behind. And take some time to reflect on this week's reading....  Read More

Today's reading: Psalm 95:1-11Here we are reminded not to follow the example of the Israelites in the wilderness. Even though they had witnessed the hand of God first hand, they hardened their hearts and they grumbled against God. Instead of being grateful to God for freeing them from slavery in Egypt and trusting in His promise to bring them into the Promised Land, they chose to focus on their pr...  Read More

Today's Reading: Numbers 21:1-35Here we see both the judgment and mercy of God. The people rebel once again, so God sends fiery serpents among them and the people begin to die (judgment). But when the people confess their sin, God provides a way for them to be healed (mercy). But that healing required faith. Frankly, it didn't make a lot of sense that the way to be healed was to look at a bronze s...  Read More

Today's Reading: Numbers 20:1-29I'm going to focus on the account of Moses striking the rock in verses 10-13. This is the second time that the people have complained to Moses about a lack of water. The first was back in Exodus 17. That first time God instructed Moses to strike the rock and and Moses obeyed and water flowed from the rock.This time God instructs Moses to speak to the rock. But Moses...  Read More

Today's Reading: Numbers 14:1-45My apologies for being so late with posting today's devotional.A couple of things come to mind in this passage:One of the reasons that the people grumbled against God is because they were living in the past. One of the best illustrations I've seen regarding this is driving a car. Most of the time while we are driving we need to be looking ahead through the windshiel...  Read More

Today's Reading: Numbers 11:1-35Today we begin a new section in our reading plan that focuses on Israel's rebellion in the wilderness after God frees them from slavery in Egypt. Israel immediately falls into a pattern of sin and hardness against their redeeming God, resulting in their judgment in the wilderness prior to entering the land promised to Abraham. It is easy to criticize the Israelites ...  Read More