Partnership

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13, KJV) Years ago, I beganContinue reading “Partnership”

Confident Completion

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, bothContinue reading “Confident Completion”

Merciful and Just

“then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.” (Numbers 35:11-12, ESV) Early on, aContinue reading “Merciful and Just”

Sin Catches Up

“But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23, ESV) After Gad and Reuben had committed to go with Israel across the Jordan in the conquest of Canaan. Moses gave them this exhortation in verse 23. If they didContinue reading “Sin Catches Up”

One Perfect Sacrifice

“These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts, in addition to your vow offerings and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your grain offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.” (Numbers 29:39, ESV) In chapters 28 and 29, Moses records the feasts of Israel andContinue reading “One Perfect Sacrifice”

Absolute Unchanging Truth

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19, ESV) This passage, from Balaam’s second oracle, presents some obvious but vital theology. “God isContinue reading “Absolute Unchanging Truth”

Antivenom For Sin

“So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” (Numbers 21:9, ESV) Once again, the people grumbled against God and Moses stating that they loathed the food, the “manna,” that God had provided. Because of this, theContinue reading “Antivenom For Sin”

Safe Haven

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7, ESV) There once was a little boat, moored off a great land. One morning the boat looked to the horizon over the water and realized that a great storm had arisen. The smallContinue reading “Safe Haven”

Curb Your 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 “Curb Your Cravings”

Purity in the Church

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile theirContinue reading “Purity in the Church”