Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 14, 2023

“so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:32-41.

“Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day.  Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation;  and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him.  Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death;  all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”  So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The LORD also spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.  It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.  I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God;  I am the LORD your God.”  Numbers 15:32-41.

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The theme of today’s devotion is God’s provisions “so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.”

Let us not dismiss today’s Scripture thinking that the tassels on the corners of the garments with a cord of blue would look ridiculous.  Our primary thought, our only thought, should be: how can we remember to do all of God’s commandments and be holy to our God?!  

God has provided much more.  

There are churches that we can attend with worship services, preaching, and sacraments.  The churches also provide Sunday school, Bible studies, and some churches even provide catechism classes.  

There are Bibles that we can buy, and there are also churches and other organizations like the Gideons that give out Bibles for free.

There are other good books that we can buy or borrow which help explain the Bible.  

There are Scriptures written on bracelets and signs that we can wear or put up in our home.  

But, God has provided even more, the very best, the Holy Spirit!   

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26. 

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.  All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”  John 16:13-15.

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:27. 

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  …  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:16 and 22-23.  

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” Hebrews 10:15-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 12, 2023

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:22-31.

“‘But when you unwittingly fail and do not observe all these commandments, which the LORD has spoken to Moses, even all that the LORD has commanded you through Moses, from the day when the LORD gave commandment and onward throughout your generations, then it shall be, if it is done unintentionally, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one bull for a burnt offering, as a soothing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat for a sin offering.  Then the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they will be forgiven;  for it was an error, and they have brought their offering, an offering by fire to the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their error.  So all the congregation of the sons of Israel will be forgiven, with the alien who sojourns among them, for it happened to all the people through error.

‘Also if one person sins unintentionally, then he shall offer a one year old female goat for a sin offering.  The priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who goes astray when he sins unintentionally, making atonement for him that he may be forgiven.  You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them.  But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD;  and that person shall be cut off from among his people.  Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off;  his guilt will be on him.’”  Numbers 15:22-31.

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It is not difficult for us to understand that there should be (and is) a distinction between unintentional sins and intentional sins.  

But, when we only consider today’s Scripture, it may be more difficult to understand why so much of today’s Scripture is devoted to unintentional sins, because it may seem that we sin much more intentionally than unintentionally.  But, that perception could be based on our sin that we only pay attention to the top ten sins, so to speak, namely the Ten Commandments, and that there are many more commandments that we unwittingly fail and do not observe.  

It is not difficult for us to understand that there should be (and is) a path for forgiveness for unintentional sins.

But, when we only consider today’s Scripture, it may be more difficult to understand why there was no path for forgiveness in today’s Scripture for intentional sins.  “But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD;  and that person shall be cut off from among his people.  Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off;  his guilt will be on him.’”  Verses 30-31.

But, there is hope!

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law;  for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”  But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:4-11.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:4-7.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26.

“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:14-15.

“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”  Romans 6:14.

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”  Galatians 5:18.

“For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:18-21.

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:19.

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.  …  By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  …  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:1 and 10 and 14.

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

17 “AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:15-18.

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.  For the Law was given through Moses;  grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”  John 1:16-17.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:4-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 11, 2023

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” – “I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation” – “we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:17-21.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land where I bring you, then it shall be, that when you eat of the food of the land, you shall lift up an offering to the LORD.  Of the first of your dough you shall lift up a cake as an offering;  as the offering of the threshing floor, so you shall lift it up.  From the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD an offering throughout your generations.”   Numbers 15:17-21.

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Today’s Scripture reminds me of the prayer that we offer to the LORD when we sit down for a meal and ask the LORD to bless the food.  But, we often do it as a legal duty or formality without much true spiritual thoughtfulness or thanks.  We may be thinking more of the food and our other earthly needs than the LORD and His spiritual kingdom.     

The following Scriptures may help us get back on track.

“6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:6-10.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:31-34.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 10, 2023

“There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.” – “For there is no partiality with God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:14-16.

“If an alien sojourns with you, or one who may be among you throughout your generations, and he wishes to make an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD, just as you do so he shall do.  As for the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations;  as you are, so shall the alien be before the LORD.  There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.’”  Numbers 15:14-16.

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Justice is important to the LORD.  As stated in the following Scriptures, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” and “He loves righteousness and justice”.  We should be eager to learn more about Justice.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

Another pillar of justice is the equal application of justice on all.  As stated in today’s Scripture, “There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.’” Verse 16. 

Yet, too often, we see one law applied on one group of people and another law applied on another group of people.  Justice does not favor the native above the alien.  Justice does not favor the powerful over the weak.  

“You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.  Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty.

“You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.

“You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 23:6-9.

“30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.” Psalm 37:30-31.

So, getting back to the pillar of justice taught by today’s Scripture, which is the equal application of justice on all.  As stated in today’s Scripture, “There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you.’”  Before we exclaim proudly, “I know that!”, thinking only that justice does not favor the rich over the poor (which is true and much more of a prevalent danger addressed by Scripture), let us consider that justice does not even favor the poor over the rich.    

“nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute.”  Exodus 23:3.  

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment;  you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”  Leviticus 19:15.

“You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike. …”  Deuteronomy 1:17.

“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.  You shall not distort justice;  you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.  Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:18-20.

“They questioned Him (Jesus), saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth.”  Luke 20:21. 

“For there is no partiality with God.”  Romans 2:11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 9, 2023

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” – “But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering” – “He Himself bore the sin of many”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 15:1-13.

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land where you are to live, which I am giving you, then make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock.  The one who presents his offering shall present to the LORD a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil, and you shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one-fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.  Or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil;  and for the drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine as a soothing aroma to the LORD.  When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a special vow, or for peace offerings to the LORD, then you shall offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-half a hin of oil;  and you shall offer as the drink offering one-half a hin of wine as an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD.

‘Thus it shall be done for each ox, or for each ram, or for each of the male lambs, or of the goats.  According to the number that you prepare, so you shall do for everyone according to their number.  All who are native shall do these things in this manner, in presenting an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD.”   Numbers 15:1-13.

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As highlighted by the bold italic font, we see the goal of these offerings to make a “soothing aroma to the LORD”.

A “soothing aroma to the LORD” points us to Jesus, the Son of God, Who was an offering to bear the sins of God’s elect.  

“and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”  Matthew 3:17.

“10 But the LORD was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:10-12.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

…  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:13-14 and 19-20.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 8, 2023

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 14:39-45.

“When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly.  In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, “Here we are;  we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised.”  But Moses said, “Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed?  Do not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you.  For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD.  And the LORD will not be with you.”  But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country;  neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp.  Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah.”  Numbers 14:39-45.

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We want to take things into our own hands.  Like, the sons of Israel, we want to take our own path to the Promised Land.

The LORD may promise us something, but we should wait for the LORD to accomplish it when and how He wants to do it. We should follow and obey the LORD.  

Sometimes, we need to take the long and winding path through the wilderness.  Remember the words of the LORD. “Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys;  turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.”  Numbers 14:25.  

We should continually pray that His will be done, not only in the ultimate result, but also in the timing, in the way it should be done, and in the path that we should take.  

“In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6.

But, there is hope!

“The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.

“Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21.

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11.

As the following Scripture shows us, sometimes the path taken by those who prosper appears to be the straight path, but that path is in truth the crooked path.

“7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9.

But, Jesus, Who is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the Light, is the straight path.

“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12.

“You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 7, 2023

“Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 14:20-38.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2014&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“So the LORD said, “I have pardoned them according to your word;  but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD.  Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it.  But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.  Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys;  turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.”

…

Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey—I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected.  But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness.  Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness.

…

As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the LORD.  But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.”  Numbers 20-25 and 31-33 and 36-38.

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It is easy to join in the grumbling when family, friends, and leaders grumble.  

It is difficult to hold your ground and and stand apart like Joshua and Caleb and give a good report based on faith in God’s promises when everyone else is giving a bad report based on sight of giants and fortified cities, so to speak.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.

Easier said than done.  Most people seek faith that is based on their own wisdom and own willpower.  

But, there is hope!

There is a faith that comes from God as a gift of God which is justifying faith that Christ purchased for God’s elect through His death on a cross.  

Consider the following from Canon of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination in which it is stated:  “election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself”.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.

Likewise, we read in the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby in which it is stated that Christ gave the elect “faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death”.

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised;  not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.  May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers;  may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.”  1 Kings 8:56-58.

“So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it.  And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them;  the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand.  Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed;  all came to pass.”  Joshua 21:43-45.

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.  In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.”  Hebrews 6:13-18. 

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 5, 2023

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 14:11-19.

“The LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me?  And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?  I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.”

But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land.  They have heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, for You, O LORD, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them;  and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.  Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ‘Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’  But now, I pray, let the power of the LORD be great, just as You have declared, ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression;  but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’  Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”   Numbers 14:11-19.

—————- 

Moses did not try convince the LORD to pardon the people based on the works of the people nor based on some innate goodness or other quality of the people.

Moses requested that the LORD pardon the people for His own sake, for the interests of the LORD.  “Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ‘Because the LORD could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’”  Verses 15-16.  

Likewise, the following Scripture shows that the LORD acted to rescue, cleanse, save, and deliver the people not for Israel’s sake, but rather for His own sake.  

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.  I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst.  Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.  For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.  Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;  I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.  You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers;  so you will be My people, and I will be your God.  Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness;  and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you.  I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, so that you will not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations.  Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.  I am not doing this for your sake,” declares the Lord GOD, “let it be known to you.  Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!”  Ezekiel 36:22-32.

Beware of thinking that we obtain forgiveness just because we ask for it!  We do not even receive forgiveness just because we ask for it sincerely with many tears. We do not receive forgiveness because we are worthy of forgiveness.  We do not receive forgiveness just because we are cute.  

“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God;  that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;  that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.  For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”  Hebrews 12:15-17.

We receive forgiveness because it is in the interests of the LORD to forgive us.  We receive forgiveness, because we are chosen by God.  We receive forgiveness, because we are in Christ.  

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”.  Ephesians 1:3-7.

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.”  1 John 2:12. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 4, 2023

“If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 14:1-10.

“Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.  All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron;  and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt!  Or would that we had died in this wilderness!  Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword?  Our wives and our little ones will become plunder;  would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”  So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel.  Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes;  and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.  If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey.  Only do not rebel against the LORD;  and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey.  Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us;  do not fear them.”  But all the congregation said to stone them with stones.  Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.”  Numbers 14:1-10.

—————-

What does it mean: “If the LORD is pleased with us”?

Consider the following Scriptures.

“Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them.  And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today.”  Deuteronomy 4:37-38.

“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”  Deuteronomy 7:7-8. 

Are our works the cause of the LORD being pleased with us?

Is our will the cause of the LORD being pleased with us?   

No!  As the above Scriptures teach, God is pleased with us, because He set His love on us and chose us!

In other words, God is pleased with us, because He elected us.  

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.  As highlighted by bold font, “election is the fountain of every saving good”.

Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation.

This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than the others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by him, and effectually to call and draw them to his communion by his Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification and sanctification;  and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of his Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of his mercy, and for the praise of his glorious grace;   … 

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.  

Article 10. The good pleasure of God is the sole cause of this gracious election;  which doth not consist herein, that out of all possible qualities and actions of men God has chosen some as a condition of salvation;  but that he was pleased out of the common mass of sinners to adopt some certain persons as a peculiar people to himself, as it is written, “For the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil,” etc., it was said (namely to Rebecca):  “the elder shall serve the younger;  as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,”  Romans 9:11,12,13.  “And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed,” Acts 13:48.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

In summary, if the LORD elected us, then the LORD is pleased with us, and He will also guide, protect, and bless us and also bring us into this land and also give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey.  Heaven is ultimately that “land which flows with milk and honey”, and everything pales and is fleeting in comparison.  But, God gives us so many other good things in addition to our salvation that we cannot neglect to give thanks to God and praise Him for also giving us an earthly “land which flows with milk and honey” which is a foretaste of heaven to come. 

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 3, 2023

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers chapter 13.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses saying, “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel;  you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.”  …

When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there into the Negev;  then go up into the hill country.  See what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many.  How is the land in which they live, is it good or bad?  And how are the cities in which they live, are they like open camps or with fortifications?  How is the land, is it fat or lean?  Are there trees in it or not?  Make an effort then to get some of the fruit of the land.”  Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes.

…

When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh;  and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.  Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us;  and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.  Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large;  and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there.  Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.”

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”  But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.”  So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants;  and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size.”  Numbers 13:1-2 and 17-20 and 25-32.

———————

“The LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me?  And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?  I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.”  Numbers 14:11-12.

But, Moses interceded for the people.  “Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”  Numbers 14:19.

“So the LORD said, “I have pardoned them according to your word;  but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD.  Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it.  But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.”  Numbers 14:20-24.

But, there is hope for us too, because like Caleb, we have “a different spirit”!

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:26-27. 

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

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