Moses carries his burdens to God, Psalm 94 teaches us about the God of justice and mercy, and Paul keeps up his courage in the storm.
Numbers 11-12
📖 What are we reading?: The people moan, complain and wail, but Moses brings his struggles to God. God then spreads the load so that Moses doesn't burn out, and in chapter 12 we see Moses' humility.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He hears the cries of His servants and spreads out the weight they carry.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? This is what church life is - a sharing of each other's burdens. Would we pray as Moses did in 12:13, if we had been hurt as he had?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Numbers, written by Moses around 1400 BC, takes its name from the censuses of Israel and tells the story of the people's 40 years in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
Psalm 94
📖 What are we reading?: The Psalmist begins by asking God to rid the earth of the wicked, declares that God is faithful to His people, and then in verses 17-19 shares words of great comfort.
✞ What does this passage say about God? God is indeed a God of vengeance, as the first and last verses show. But for those who turn to Him, He is the God of mercy and love.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Don't ignore the message of this Psalm! Turn to Him, and hold on to the comfort of verses 17-19.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion on becoming wise, from Psalm 94
➡️ 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 27:1-26
📖 What are we reading?: Paul is finally sent to Rome by ship. A hurricane-force wind batters the ship and the sailors give up all hope, but Paul encourages them with God's promise of safety, given in a dream.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He appears to His servants in the middle of the storm, and keeps His promises to them.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Paul's wise and encouraging spirit is on display, even with danger all around him. The storms of life shouldn't discourage us! Do you need to hear the words "I urge you to keep up your courage" (verse 22) or "Do not be afraid" (verse 24) today? Do you need to say "I have faith in God" (verse 25) and trust?
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 we can bring our burdens to You and share them with Your people. When the storms come, help us to keep up our courage, turn to Your mercy, and put our faith in You. Amen.
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