Bible In One Year-Day 60 (Saturday, March 01, 2014)

Commentary: Numbers1-3. The Book of Numbers is mostly referred to as the ‘Book of Wanderings’. It gives an account of 39 years journey from Mount Sinai (where the first census was taken, a year after leaving Egypt) to the Plain of Moab (where the second census was taken just before launching into Canaan). Through this journey, the Israelites experienced a lot in the hand of God. Whoever wants to understand the huddles of life and how to handle it should just prayerfully read along with us through this book. Everybody, at one time or the other, will go through the wilderness experience; in ministry, career, marriage, business etc. These are what make up the spices of life. The first four chapters are the basis for the name of the book, NUMBERS. We could see that God is a God of numbers, i.e. STATISTICS and ACCOUNTABILITY. Statistics was taken before the journey at Mount Sinai and accountability at the plain of Moab after 39 years, just before entering Canaan. You must have this in mind. Every stage you go through in life, God is aware and these two entities (statistics and accountability) are very important. By the time you go through 39 years of the mid-point of life, you will look back and glorify God with testimonies. These huddles make up the testimonies with time. The Psalmist expressed it as “my tears into thy bottle”, Ps56:8. Through this journey, two generations were seen; those who left Egypt but never entered the Promised Land and the new ones the Lord refined for the Promised Land. The wilderness experience is not to kill you but to make you, it is not to destroy you but to refine you and not to put you to shame but to put you to fame. This is the work of God. The only thing is that the bad things that came out with you from Egypt should not enter the Promised Land with you; jealousy, anger, lying, murmuring, immorality, envy, rivalry, self-centeredness, gluttony, drunkenness etc have no landing place in the Promised Land. Egyptian anger ruined Moses’ career and his appointment was terminated, i.e. he was fired. The manner you lived and left Egypt should not be (and it isn’t) the same manner you will enter the Promised Land; there must be transformation. When I look into my past and present, I consider the Lord’s goodness; unimaginable and I thank Him for taking me through the refining furnace (though not a sweet memory). It was in the transition that they received the word of God through the mouth of His servant, Moses; the word is supposed to work, change and transform your life after your salvation; a process of SANCTIFICATION (which makes you acceptable to God).

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

A new heart and a new spirit is the best for that Promised Land. The mere fact that the situation is so severe does not mean that God is not walking with you. It is not to damage you but to manage and pattern you for that wonderful end, Jer29:11. There is a day called the day of gladness, Num10:10, a trumpet shall be blown that day and all creation shall cooperate with your testimony. That day, the tears that will come out of your eyes will be different from the ones you shed during the wilderness experience; that is what we call the tears of joy. The simple message that tears of joy will pass is “why did I ever worry?”, i.e. you will regret ever worrying because of the unusual thing the Lord will do for you. Another simple message is that your wanderings are turned to wonders. Do you know the prophecy behind those tears of joy? Read Isa61:3.

Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Because the Spirit that provoked that prophecy is not dead, the prophecy is still alive and working just for the glory of God. That Spirit can’t miss you and you will not miss Him either in the name of Jesus. However, let Jesus reign supreme in your heart. Instead of murmuring, pray; instead of crying, sing; instead of worrying, meditate on God’s testimonies and His words. Rather than being fearful, let faith take root. LOOK AT YOUR SITUATION FROM GOD’S VIEW POINT. Jesus has never failed and will not. When God decorates you with His testimony, even if you wear a T-Shirt (which I love so much because of the comfort), it will become a style of fashion that the man in 3-piece suit will be regarded as too common and too official. I am leaving you with this 3-worded statement ‘DON’T GIVE UP’ but keep the fire burning and alive. Next mile on the trip is Num4-6. JESUS IS THE ANSWER!!!