Weekly Scripture Reading: Numbers 13-24

I was truly blessed by today's reading, and I hope you are as well. In today's reading there were 4 different stories that stuck out to me. Each story features a different man, and each man is in different circumstances. However, there is one beautiful principal in each story that the LORD reminded me of as I read.

God preserves His people.

First we read about Caleb's faith in God's promise to bring them into the promise land. Secondly, we read of Korah's rebellion against Moses. Then we see Moses' faith waver at Kadesh. And finally, we read the story of Balaam and how He tried to do things his own way.

Caleb's faith in God's promise.

When the 12 spies came back from spying out the land, Caleb and Joshua both still believed. And though the consequences of the people's lack of faith led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, God preserved His people and remained true to His promise to bring them into the promised land. I love that God preserved for Himself two spies who would believe. This is a beautiful example of God's preservation of His people.

Korah's Rebellion against Moses.

When Korah thought he knew better than God and challenged Moses's and Aaron's leadership. God defended Moses and preserved Him, and in doing so, preserved the nation of Israel. I find this story encouraging. When we are attacked and challenged it is up to us to let the LORD defend us. He always does this so well, and God is so faithful to preserve us even when under heavy fire.

Moses's disobedience to God.

This one, I love! Think about it, how many times had the LORD's anger arose against the people of Israel because they lacked faith and were complaining against Him? We have read of this happening multiple times at this point and every time it happened, Moses defended the people and reminded the LORD of His promise to them. Then, that very leader, doesn't have faith and disobeys God. He strikes the rock instead of speaking to it. And how does God respond? He responds with Grace! He lets water flow from the rock anyways. Even though Moses disobeyed, God still provided water to preserve His people! In addition to that, He didn't strike down Moses and leave the nation without a leader, and He didn't wipe out the people because they pushed Moses to anger. No! God responds with utter grace! I love it! We will see next week that Moses does have consequences for His disobedience, but His disobedience did not alter God's goodness or grace. What a beautiful illustration God has given us in this story of Moses's shortcomings. God preserved His people even when their leader wasn't obeying Him.

Balaam's taking matters into his own hands.

Finally we come to the story of Balaam. I love this story too. It is the longest story we read today, and it has such great truths. Though, I'm going to focus on just one principal: God's provision for His people. Can you imagine being Balaam and going to such a powerful king who hired you to curse his enemies and then right in front of him not cursing them, but BLESSING them. And he didn't just bless them once, but FOUR times! I'm sure Balaam was afraid for His life. Yet, in it we see God's provision for His people. In this case though, it took God causing the donkey to speak to Balaam in order to ensure that Balaam was in line with His plan. I wonder what would have happened had God not intervened with an angel and a talking donkey. Yet, we will never know; because that didn't happen. Instead, God went to great lengths in order to preserve His people.

Let these stories encourage you today as you read or listen along. God preserves His people today too. He is preserving you, whether you see it or not.

Author: Abigail Escobedo