Week 10 Devotions

March 5 - - It is an encouragement to see how even great people of faith in the Bible, sometimes had their moments of being human like the rest of us. It's somewhat reassuring to know that sinful people can still be close to God, in spite of their sinfulness. David is described in scripture as, “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22; I Samuel 13:14). And yet, we know how David messed up by committing adultery with Bathsheba (I Samuel 11) and how he covered up his sin by having Bathsheba’s husband killed at war. Moses is described as being “more humble than any other person on earth” (Numbers 12:3), in spite of having some “not so humble” moments in his life. God had demonstrated His provisions for the Israelites on several occasions after they left Egypt; whether their need was for water, food, protection, etc. So, when the Israelites complained again about their being no water to drink (Numbers 20:3-5), God gave Moses instructions on what to do. “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire com-munity. As the people watch, command the rock over there to pour out it’s water. You will get enough water from the rock to satisfy all the people and their livestock” (20:8). Moses and Aaron assembled the people at the rock where God told Moses water would come from. But, Moses took it upon himself to add to the instructions God had given him by arrogantly blasting the people of Israel with a tongue-lashing. “Listen you rebels! Must we bring you water from the rock?” Who is this WE stuff? Moses and Aaron? Moses and God? God is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) and Moses was being quite presumptuous in taking credit for also being their provider. In fact, Moses was so caught up in himself that instead of obeying God’s instructions and speaking to the rock, Moses twice struck the rock with his staff. This angered God so much that Moses, the one whom God had chosen to lead the people out of Egypt, the one who would guide the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years, and the one whom the scriptures called, “the most humble person on earth”, would be punished by God. He would not be allowed to see the Promised Land (20:12; Deuteronomy 32:48-52). All of us can be thankful that God does not punish us as “our sins deserve” (Psalm 103:10; Lamentations 3:22&23). This is called grace. Though none of us deserves God’s grace. All of us have been recipients of it, and for that we should all be eternally grateful. March 8 - - Relationships require time. Without people spending time together, they can’t adequately develop their relationship. That is true whether one is talking about a marriage, friendship, re-lationship between parents and children, etc. It is also true of our relationship with God. We can talk about having a personal relationship with God, but if we aren’t spending time with Him, our relationship isn’t really personal. It’s more superficial. He is always ready and willing to spend time with us. But, somehow we rationalize how we are too busy for Him. That’s why God says that we must find time with Him to, “be still”. We must find time to spend with Him in the silence. And God promises that when we do, we will sense His presence. And, we will, “know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Jesus set a great example for those who would claim to love God. No one was busier than was Jesus. None of us deals with as many people as Jesus dealt with on a daily basis. And yet, Jesus would often carve out time to spend with God; alone, and in silence; whether it was early in the morning (Mark 1:35) or up in the mountains (Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12), or in a Garden (Matthew 26:36-39). Even in the Old Testament, God had the Israelites devote several festivals to Him (Numbers 28:16-29:40) and part of the purpose for doing so was so they would spend time with Him and develop their relationship with Him. It is easy to become so busy with all the things we want to do, that we forget to do the things we have to do, like spending time with God. How are you doing in the time you spend with God? Is it exclusive time spent with Him or is it shared with the television on, music playing, or other noise distracting us? Discipline yourself and carve out time alone with God on a regular basis. You won’t regret doing so.