The Doubt Problem

“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” (Jeremiah 1:6–7, KJV) Fear is a troubling foe. OnContinue reading “The Doubt Problem”

Authoritative Word

“These are the commandments and the rules that the Lord commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.” (Numbers 36:13, ESV) We now come to the last chapter and the last verse of the book of Numbers. Here we see a summarizing truth. “These areContinue reading “Authoritative Word”

Our King

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17, ESV) In Balaam’s final oracle, the imagery speaks of a rulerContinue reading “Our King”

Unholy Cravings

“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength isContinue reading “Unholy Cravings”

Observe and Join

“And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped.” (Numbers 9:17, ESV) While I was in Savannah, a parishioner asked me a question. “Do you remember how the Lord led the peopleContinue reading “Observe and Join”

Remembrance

” And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, “Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time.” (Numbers 9:1-2, ESV) Here, the Lord told Moses to have the peopleContinue reading “Remembrance”

The Light to Come

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1–2, ESV) When we lived in Chicago, we would driveContinue reading “The Light to Come”

Access to the Throne of Grace

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1–2, ESV) When I grew up, my dadContinue reading “Access to the Throne of Grace”

Busyness Versus Character

3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers . . . 6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bondsContinue reading “Busyness Versus Character”

Complete Victory

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we likeContinue reading “Complete Victory”