Much happens in this chapter. Jesus said of this incident with the bronze snake: 

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

 (John 3:14) Jesus says this history is prophetic of His ministry – the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy! (Revelation 19:10b) Jesus is the template for Moses – not Moses for Jesus. Moses is the shadow play that helps us understand Jesus!

* Dear God Above, thank You for preserving the life of Your saints, for writing our names in the Lamb’s book of life!

“Spring up, O well! – Sing to it! -“

It can often be the case that when we think of Israel wandering in the wilderness for forty years that we think that they were _only_ wandering.

Here we see that Israel settled at times, particularly in the land of the Amorites – descended from Canaan, son of Ham, son of Noah.

Israel settled for a time, taking possession of the land.

We begin to see God giving martial victory to the Israelite army itself.

Songs are important. We read here ballads of war, of victory, joy and excitement, of imagination and creativity.

Singing is important. Singing to the Lord and singing to one another. Re-telling His glory, His mighty deeds. Telling of His salvation.

We are blessed to have a long and deep church culture of song and singing.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”

You are our Maker, our Creator, our Sustain and Life-Giver.

You are the one, true and ever-blessed God.

May 10, Reading 1 – Numbers 21

Many of these proverbs have something to do with the tongue. There are for self-reflection as well as for understanding others. We all thank God for the Friend who sticks closer than a brother!

“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”

Here we read the peril of being a fool! Solomon shines a bright light on foolish behaviour.

Slacking off is a cousin to destruction (v9).

However, Solomon also points us to wisdom.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Do we practice this? Do we take hold of this and write it on our hearts?

God’s NAME is important. In and of itself there is _much value_ in the Name of the LORD; We can run to it, we can take refuge in it, it saves us.

We do this when we verbally name the Lord, in public and private, through prayer and through conversation.

But hallowing God’s Name is more than is more than what comes from our lips.

As God’s people we bear God’s Name as a standard as we walk this narrow road in life.

Your Name is holy, Your Name is to be kept holy, Your Name is a strong tower.

Thank You that we can run into Your Name and find safety; refuge from the storms of life.

May 10, Reading 2 – Proverbs 18

James is hard but fair here. Humility is not pretending that you don’t have certain attributes, skills or training, or that there’re not as good as they really are. Humility is the realisation of how far you are from God and His ways, even in your best times. Humility leads us to be merciful and gentle with each other.

* God of Light, Your word is a lamp unto our feet – Please light our path today.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

This message from James is the same as we read in Peter’s first letter.

Humility is the attribute that matters before the Lord – Submit!

If we have a mindset of wanting glory in the world’s eyes, of pride in our accomplishments, of planning in and of our own strength – This is a problem.

Instead, let our identity, our character, our decision-making be found in the humility that comes from submitting ourselves under God’s mighty hand.

Grow within us each day the humility that You desire in us. The humility and meekness we see in Jesus, God the Son, who submitted Himself unto death on a cross.

Daily Devotion Readings for May 10th