Bible Reading for: March 2

Numbers 7

When you come before the Father are you just “getting by”? I hope not. You really should bring your best.

Fellas, I have to admit that I struggled a little bit today as I attempted to divine what God would have me write about today’s Bible reading.  He finally laid upon my heart an understanding of how amazing it is that God of the Universe, God the Creator, would choose to live among the Israelites.  Of course, it is even more amazing that He would come in human form and, in full humanity, walk among us and die for us; but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Today we see a picture of the proper response to God setting up residence with His people.  The tabernacle has been built to specification, anointed and consecrated.  Now was time to bring offerings; and the leaders of the tribes brought their very best.  This is a long way from the group that had decided that a golden calf had brought them out of Egypt while Moses met with God on the mountain top.

The Israelites had grown a great deal and had begun to understand how Holy God is.  God had molded His people to bring them to this point.  As we will find out latter, they still had a long way to go, but for now they understood that they needed to honor the gift of God’s presence with their very best.

Have you grown to that point?  God of the Universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth called you to Him, died for you, and wrote your name in the Lambs Book of Life.  What has been your response to His presence in your life?  Is it business as usual or are you bringing your very best?

My daughter is an only child.  She is the only granddaughter on my wife’s side of the family and for the longest time the only granddaughter on my side of the family within driving distance of my parents.  This kid really did get just about everything she wanted.  When she was little I had to work very hard to help her see her blessings and for a while I failed miserably.  She had so much but because she obtained it with little effort, it was of little value.  Once she got something she desired it became of little interest and she was off desiring something else.  She was rarely satisfied for long. I’m glad to say that she eventually grew out of that and now is very thankful for the many blessings in her life.

I’m afraid we, as grown men, can be guilty of the same thing when it comes to the fact that God lives within us.  We can take Him for granted.  “Yup, I’ve got the God thing happening but what I really want is…”  We can fall on our knees and beg and plead with our heavenly Papa to please give us this and please give us that.  Once we have it we are not satisfied and it’s on to the next thing that we think will make us happy.

How do you show your heavenly Papa your thankfulness?  Do you show up on Sunday?  Is that it?  How much time do you spend with Him in prayer and in His Word?  When you walk in this world as His adopted son do you do your best so you reflect well on your father? Or do you just “get by”?  Do you bring Him your tithes and your talents?  Are you being a good steward of your spouse, children, job, and possessions? Everything you are and have comes from Him.  Do you acknowledge this in any way, or even a halfhearted way?

Guys, if you don’t, you aren’t hurting Him; you are hurting yourself.  If you aren’t acknowledging Him in all that you do, you are missing the blessing.  Bring God your best so you will understand how blessed you really are!

Victorem Viver! (Live Victorious!)

Your brother and servant in Christ,
Bill

Dying to self, living to serve!

Alternate Reading Plans
Bible Order: Deuteronomy 3-4
Chronological Order: Numbers 8–10
New Testament Only: Mark 6:45–7:13