Wen-Wei's Devotion - 21 Jan 08

Having completed the book of Joshua, I've started reading Numbers. My intention is to provide a background or context to better appreciate Joshua. I came to Numbers 11 this morning.

In summary, Numbers 1-10 is a lot of preparing, counting, ordering, consecrating ... lots of good stuff and a very supportive Israel to all that God, through Moses, prescribes. Numbers 11:1 takes a sharp turn and the Israel becomes complaining and grumbling. It is a sharp contrast. What happened? What caused them to become so self-centred instead of God-centred?

It seems to me that the difference is that in Numbers 1-10, they had spent a little over a year seeking the Lord, hearing from the Lord, receiving His Word, receiving the vision, making preparations to act and finally in Numbers 10, Israel sets up from Sinai, the Mountain of the Lord. Now in Numbers 11 they are on their way. They move from the excitement of planning and visioning to the actual doing and implementing. Now after just 3 days journey, the harsh realities of life set in, and the complaining begins (and effectively continues for the rest of the book of Numbers).

What I hear from God this morning is a caution: It is exciting to be planning and visioning as we as a Church are doing now. Also the plans of our E-Group (this blog, for instance). Add to the fact there is an overarching New Year sentiment of newness and renewals, my mood (and I suspect the mood of many) is very buoyant at the moment. But in the months to come, we will begin to implement our vision. Faithfulness and perseverance are required in the day-to-day of ministry. Will I last? Or will I become complaining like Israel? (Alicia's last blog was a great inspiration to read to anchor my thoughts as I came to blog this morning. Thanks Alicia :-)

What I said to God this morning is a plea: As we step out in faith this year and as we act out our plans, Lord, go before us. When we pause to reflect and for a rest, Lord, may Your presence abide strongly with us. In Your grace and mercy, may we go the distance with You this year. This is the very prayer of Moses in last verses of Numbers 10, vereses 35-36...

Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, "Rise up, O Lord! And let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before You." When it came to rest, he said, "Return O Lord, to the myriad thousands of Israel."

Amen.