Numbers begins with a census as Israel prepares to walk towards the Promised Land, Psalm 85 prays for revival, and Paul insists on going to Jerusalem even if it costs him his life.
Numbers 1
📖 What are we reading?: Where Leviticus stresses worship and spiritual position, Numbers is about our walk and spiritual progress. This book is full of applications for the Christian life, so let's learn from our history and seek to live faithfully in the fullness of the Spirit. It begins with a census.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is a God of order, and He knows His people and prepares them for the journey ahead.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Take stock of your own walk today: where are you growing, and where have you stalled? Then do what God has asked, just as Israel did in verse 54.
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➡️ The bigger picture: Numbers was written by Moses (around 1445-1405 BC) and follows Israel's journey from Mount Sinai towards the Promised Land.
Psalm 85
📖 What are we reading?: A prayer for revival in four sections: a past instance of revival in Israel (verses 1-3), a plea for God to do it again (4-7), a pause to hear how the Lord will answer (8-9), and a promise of future restoration (10-13).
✞ What does this passage say about God? He has shown mercy before, and He is good (verses 10-13). His peace belongs to those who fear Him.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Let's look back on God's mercy and ask Him to pour it out again. We must also listen for His answer, and avoid returning to our folly (verses 8-9).
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➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Acts 21:1-16
📖 What are we reading?: Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem, but he insists that he is "ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (verse 13). Along the way he stays at the house of Philip the evangelist, whose four daughters prophesied.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He guides His people by His Spirit, and He gives us the courage to follow Him even when the road is hard.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Paul must obey God and fulfil his calling! What commitment he had. Is there a calling from God that we are tempted to avoid because of the cost?
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📝 A devotion on the courage of Paul, who was willing to die for the faith
📝 A devotion on Philip's greatest legacy - his daughters who prophesied
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's second book outlines the ministry of the early church - though it could just as well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as He guides and grows Jesus' small movement into something that changes the world.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You for the mercy You have shown Your people. Help us to take stock of our walk with You and to obey just as Israel did, revive us again, and give us the courage of Paul to follow You wherever You lead. Amen.
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