And So It Begins

Number 10 to 14 and Psalm 90

Do you love it that there’s a Psalm sprinkled in today’s reading?

I usually love it.

This psalm is about God’s relentlessness and our smallness.

About His terrifying greatness.  I’d rather think about God's Greatness in terms of majesty than wrath. 

Do you think we just see what we want to see when we look for God?

God’s relentlessness when we think of love rather than wrath

God’s plenty in terms of blessing not curses

God’s pursuit when we want to be found but not when we want to hide. 

God does not change. 

He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

And this is good.

It’s our perspective that changes.

Up until this chapter Israel has been a picture of obedience. 

They’ve come a long way in a year since drinking the bitter golden calf waters. 

Now, 3 days after they set out,

the people complain.

Bitterly.

Within God’s earshot

And they arouse His anger.  (Ch 11)

Part of me thinks they haven’t changed that much after all.

And that’s quite often my own story too.  

Ch 11:4 talks about the “rabble” that lives among the people.

Not the most complimentary term.

The notes refer to a mixed group of non-Israelite people who followed Israel out of Egypt.

These became a recurring source of complaints and trouble.  They did not know the LORD and His mercies, but they were able to ignite those who did know the LORD to rebellion. 

The power of words

Over hearts and souls and community and relationships. 

The power of words

That can make you doubt yourself

and what you think you know. 

Even Aaron and Miriam felt a little left out of God’s special relationship with Moses.  

Also within God’s earshot.

Because He hears everything.  

And in the list of tribes and leaders dispatched on reconnaissance to Canaan we spot Joshua again.

40 days of exploring.

Confirmation that indeed this IS the land flowing with milk and honey. 

God’s promises come true.

Just like He said.

With giant grapes!!

What’s not to love!!

And yet the words of the rest of the spies. 

These words...

...are the words that turn the whole heart of a nation to fear.  

And this becomes so much a part of the narrative of this nation.  

This makes me want to change my story.

This is why I’m on this reading journey.

Because I want there to be more to my story. 

Promised Land Living

And Kingdom Living.

Waiting for the Messiah.

Knowing the Redeemer.

And waiting for Him to come back.