365 Reflections

Prayer gets answered. That much is true when you familiarize yourself with scripture. In fact, God is so committed to answering our prayers sometimes the scripture interrupts us with a short story to inform us just how often prayer gets answered. The story is familiar to many Christians. The name has been in the title of books and sermons. It's the one name that stands out other than David in the first 4 chapters of the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles. 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (ESV) Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. This text comes alive when you consider its context. The list of names goes on and on. The order and delivery were hugely important for Israel to f...

Deuteronomy 2:5–7 (ESV)   Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. 6 You shall purchase food from them with money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink. 7 For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” ’ Deuteronomy 2 gives us more clarity on the Edom episode of Numbers 20. The Israelites must pass through the Edomite territory in order to come to their Promised Land. In Numbers 20 they are met with anger and force regardless of the delegation Moses sends for terms of peace as they pass through their land with no intent to seize it. Edom will not let the old grudge between the ancient brothers die and so Israel must walk aroun...

Exodus 20:15 (ESV) “You shall not steal. You could be tempted to think this Commandment is boring and simple. It is not. It is a glorious reminder to those who hear it: "GOD WILL PROVIDE." If there is one act of obedience that strikes at the very heart of trusting God in our lives - it is not taking things that do not belong to you. As God's people, we are believe the source our all our lives is our Father in heaven who loves us and provides for us. Israel was to be a people who earned their own living by the grace of God and respected the boundaries of other people's property. Stealing says to God, "I don't trust you and I don't know you."  What have we learned about God since Genesis more than the fact that all things come  graciously and generously  from Him? He is the giving God, not a taker. He is the one who will " supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19. Here in Exodu...

The Israelites wanderings are illustrations of our lives with Christ in many ways. Just because they are "saved" from Egypt doesn't mean they are totally changed and faithful to God. In fact, the opposite is true. God saves former slaves who have serious issues of trust and confidence. They don't know where they are and they often forget whose they are. Exodus 17:1–3 (ESV) All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” .... Exodus 17:7 (ESV) And he calle...