Today God calls His people to keep the camp pure and to confess and make things right, Psalm 89 sings of His wonderful attributes, and a young nephew foils a plot against Paul's life.
Numbers 5
📖 What are we reading?: With the census behind us, we move to teachings on purity that sound a lot like Leviticus. Verses 5-10 speak of confessing sin and making things right, and verses 11-31 outline the "law of jealousy", a kind of ancient adultery test.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He cares about holiness in His people's lives and relationships. He wants sin dealt with openly and honestly, with wrongs put right.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Note verses 5-10's words on confessing sin and making things right - we should follow this today! Is there someone we need to go to?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Numbers, named for the censuses of God's people, was written by Moses around 1400 BC, and tells of Israel's journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.
Psalm 89:1-18
📖 What are we reading?: A powerful song that praises God's faithful love, His covenant with David, and His wonderful attributes.
✞ What does this passage say about God? His love and faithfulness stand firm for ever. Verses 5-14 describe His greatness, and verses 15-18 describe the blessings His people enjoy.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Verses 5-14 contain wonderful words of praise which can guide our prayers today. Which words will you cling to?
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♫ Sandra McCracken's song "I Will Sing".
➡️ 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 23:12-22
📖 What are we reading?: More than forty men take an oath to kill Paul, but Paul's nephew hears of the plot and warns the Roman commander.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He protects His servants, and often uses unexpected people to do it. Here, a young nephew plays an important role in saving Paul's life.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? God had told Paul in the night that he would testify in Rome, and this chapter shows how He keeps His word. When we are in His will, we can trust Him with our safety. And let's be ready to speak up when God puts us in a position to help someone.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ 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 that Your love and faithfulness never fail, and that You protect Your people in ways we cannot see. Help us to confess our sins and make things right, and fill our hearts with praise for who You are. Amen.
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