Tag: faith

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Ouch, that hurts

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by ArWeltAtty Attila from pexels

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 20.

“I’m so angry I could…” Spit. Scream. Explode. Everyone has a favorite way to finish that sentence. Unfortunately, reacting in anger or frustration rarely serves us well.

I think Moses was perturbed when he had to deal with grumpy people demanding water. Again. “What are we doing out here in the middle of nowhere? We’re all going to die.” I wonder if Moses rolled his eyes? Come on. God provided before. God will provide this time, too. Haven’t you learned anything?

God’s instructions to Moses are simple. Speak to the rock and water will come out. There will be plenty to drink for everyone.

Not far from the end of his rope, Moses says,  “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock (Numbers 20:10,11).

It sounds like another happy ending until God says, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” (20:12).

No one saw that coming. But when Moses takes control of that moment, he robs God of his glory. The consequences are severe. At the end of the journey, Moses will not be entering the promised land with everyone else. He loses that ultimate reward for one brief moment in the spotlight.

Today I heard a pastor say, “Don’t give up something you want for something that feels good.” In the moment, though, it’s easy to take our eye off the prize.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

You might want to step back.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Megan O’Hanlon on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 16.

“You might want to step back.”

Especially if he’s just made that second cut on a tree trunk and it’s about to fall. Or it’s time to lower the turkey into the peanut oil. Or the dog in the front yard is baring his teeth. Or a sign warns of alligators and snakes on either side of the path through the marsh.

Or when God says to Moses, “Tell everyone to step back.”

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram’” (Numbers 16:23,24).

In Numbers 16 a group of two hundred and fifty leaders challenge Moses’s leadership: “Who made you the boss of us?” In response, the earth splits open to swallow up the instigators, fire incinerates the 250, and a plague wipes out another 14,700 malcontents.

Whoa. Yeah, you might want to step back.

Those in leadership have a lot of authority and responsibility and get a lot of flak. That’s just the way it is. That’s why you should think long and hard about an offered promotion, running for elected office, or pastoring a congregation. Your approval rating will drop. Guaranteed.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A second chance? Nope.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Will Porada on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 13 and 14.

I’m not a golfer, but I got dragged into a scramble fund-raiser for our church about twenty years ago. When I arrived that morning, borrowed clubs in hand, they asked me how many mulligans I wanted to buy. “What’s a mulligan?” “It’s a do-over.” I think I they were selling a dozen for ten bucks. What the heck, it was for a good cause. Golfers will be amused to know I used them up the front nine. Our four person team finished last, not even breaking 100. It was the last time I played. I’m not a golfer.

Who doesn’t like the idea of a mulligan? A bad note, a lousy drawing, over- or under-cooked food, a false start. Whatever. Start over. Try again.

We like to think of God as someone who gives you another chance. That’s true to a certain extent. Grace is powerful. So are consequences. After siding with the unfaithful majority, the nation of Israel doesn’t get another chance.

The vote was ten to two. Ten spies said, “We can’t go up against the people of Caanan. They are too big, too strong for us.” Two, Joshua and Caleb argued, “Let’s go; we can do it!” (Numbers 13:30-31)

God is ready to ditch them all (14:12). But Moses steps in. Moses appeals to God’s abounding love and forgiveness. “Please pardon the iniquity of this people” (14:19).

The Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers” (Numbers 14:20).

They are forgiven, that is, God doesn’t obliterate them with pestilence and disown them. However, they will live with the consequences of their unbelief. They will not enter in to the land. Forty years later, their children will. But they will not.

Wait a minute. Isn’t he a God of mercy? Isn’t he abounding in steadfast love? He sure is. But he’s also your heavenly father. A father who truly loves his children disciplines them (Hebrews 12:6). How else are you going to learn?

A police officer might let you off with a warning. But a speeding ticket might be more effective in getting you to lighten on the gas.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The obstacle course

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by cottonbro studio on pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 13 and 14.

One rainy day when they couldn’t go outside and play, the kids decided to make an obstacle course. Jumping from chair to chair, crawling under tables, and hopping over pillows can keeps them plenty busy. The more obstacles the better!

Life can be like an obstacle course. It’s just not as much fun.

Ten of the twelve spies Moses sent across the Jordan so spy out Canaan reported, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31).

Joshua and Caleb insisted, “The Lord is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9).

Either the obstacle will block your view of the Lord, or he will obscure your view of the obstacle. Which will it be?

The obstacles were huge: strong, tall, ruthless people living in large fortified cities. They felt small. Tiny.

But it’s not just about perspective. God said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?” (Numbers 14:11). It was unbelief. They chose not to trust the God who had done amazing things to deliver them.

The storm is huge. The diagnosis is grim. The cost is out of sight. Your hate runs deep. The tears won’t stop. You burned the bridge.

Get a good look at God each day before you’re faced with an obstacle. Turn over the baseball card and check out his stats. He’s brought you this far. He’ll get you through today. You can trust him with tomorrow, too. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Manna again?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Star of the Sea on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 11.

What’s something you could eat every day?

Great question. Some would say pizza. Ice cream comes up a lot. I have a granddaughter who would choose potatoes. Other granddaughters can’t get enough peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Plenty of people begin their day with a donut to go with their coffee.

Once in a while I hear someone extol the virtues of Waffle House. I’ve only eaten their once and that was enough. A friend of mine proudly tells the story of eating at a Waffle House all three meals one day. Better him than me.

Manna was the miracle provision of God to keep his people fed in the wildernss. After a couple of years, though, it was getting old. “There is nothing but this manna to look at” (Numbers 11:6). At that time they didn’t know they still had thirty-eight years to go.

In his song “So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt,” Keith Green imagines some creative ways to serve up manna (skip to 3:36 if you’re in a hurry):

Oh, manna waffles
Manna burgers
Manna bagels
Fillet of manna
Manna patty
BaManna bread!

So what blessings are you sick and tired of? Family? Job? House? Car? Church? Closet full of clothes? Food?

Chances are you prayed for those things. God provided. God’s been providing for a long time. And all you can do is complain.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

From temple service to retirement: Lessons from the Levites

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 8.

“You’re too young to retire!”

Yeah, I’ve heard that a few times since my retirement from full time pastoral ministry two years ago.

  • I heard that from people who took early retirement in their fifties.
  • I heard that from folks who didn’t even know how old I was.
  • I heard that from a few who were still working well into their seventies.
  • I heard that from some who simply didn’t want me to retire.

Sometimes I would reply with the Lord’s instructions to Moses, “This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work anymore” (Numbers 8:24,25). I often got a puzzled look from those who didn’t know what a Levite was. Whatever.

I detect a double standard there. It’s fine to retire from other occupations but not from church work. If you’re called to be a pastor, you’re in it for life. But if you’re called to be an engineer, a roofer, a police officer, or a graphic designer, retirement is expected.

A Levite engaged in tabernacle or temple work when he was twenty-five and retired at age fifty. Theirs was not an easy job. The Levites attended to the daily, weekly, monthly, and festival sacrifices of Israel. They cared for the facilities and equipment, the oil, incense, and bread, played music and sang songs, and collected the animals, grain and wine used for worship.

I’ve found retirement to be surprisingly busy. My time is filled with grandparenting, writing, teaching, travel, learning, reading, home improvement, and baking. I’ve added new dogs, new friends, new neighbors, and new grandchildren to the adventure, blessings, and joy of life.

Too young to retire? Too old to keep working? I’m not sure you can put a number to it. It’s better to take it one day at a time.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Every gift matters

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Good Free Photos on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 7.

Not long after my family moved from northeast Philadelphia to a suburb south of the city, our church built a new sanctuary. At the dedication, I paged through the memorial book which listed many specific donations made by members of the congregation. Families donated pews, stained glass windows, tall brass candlesticks, communion ware, hymnals, and everything else needed to furnish the new church. Every gift was needed and everyone could give something.

Numbers chapter 7 reads like such a memorial book. Every tribe brought a gift for worship at the altar. In this case, every offering was identical and significant. Each tribe is equally important. Each tribe makes possible the work of the priests, worship at the tabernacle, and sacrifices on the altar. It’s like commencement, when every graduate’s name is listed in the program and read aloud as he or she walks across the stage to receive their diploma.

How often have you compared yourself with someone else? I know, too often. We all do it. We look up to some and down on others. However, in God’s eyes, you are the most important person he created. So is the one you put on a pedestal and anyone you disparage. Each is precious enough to die for, demonstrated by Jesus’s death on the cross.

And so are you.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Taking a break from the barber

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Number 6.

If you want to start a new habit or break an old one, it might help to cut things out of your life. Get the junk food out of your house if you want to eat healthier. Delete social media apps off your phone so you don’t waste time scrolling through them. Charge your phone in another room at night, so you aren’t tempted to check your messages before you go to sleep. A lot of life changes are a matter of changing your environment.

Maybe that’s the idea behind the Nazirite vow. It’s interesting that there’s a whole chapter in the bible defining what it means “When a man or woman makes a special vow, namely, the vow of a Nazirite” (Numbers 6:2). It’s not that tough, really. You don’t drink, you don’t get a haircut, and you don’t come near a dead person for a period of time. You cut some things out of your life.

It’s a time to consecrate, or separate yourself, from some of the normal things of this world. It’s a spiritual discipline that sounds like giving up something for Lent. You don’t have to do it. But if you do, you do it for God and you do it for good.

We know of a few who did this. Samson was raised in that lifestyle. John live like that when he was preaching in the wilderness. Paul did it to show that he had not abandoned his Jewish roots by embracing Christ.

I ran into J.C., a car salesman we’ve bought several vehicles from. I almost didn’t recognize him with shoulder length salt-and-pepper hair. He said, “No more haircuts for me!” He was with customers, so I never got a chance to find out why.

I’ve often wondered, “Why would you do that?” Why would you take a Nazirite vow? Josephus writes that some did it in times of need, kind of like a time of praying and fasting. Maybe someone would do it to prove their commitment to God. Or as part of a promise to leave a part of their life behind to start something new.

Jesus said, ““If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Sounds like the same kind of practice, updated for New Testament believers, doesn’t it?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

God counts. And so do you.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Austris Augusts on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 1.

“Numbers” is an appropriate title for the fourth book of the bible as God instructs Moses to “Take a census” (Numbers 1:2).

I’m a math guy. I like numbers, equations, statistics, calculations, and graphs. I love the truth that God is a math guy, too. God counts things.

  • “Does [God] not see my ways, and count all my steps? (Job 31:4)
  • “The Lord will count when He registers the peoples” (Psalm 87:6).
  • “[God] counts the number of the stars” (Ps. 147:4).
  • “Even the hairs of your head are all counted” (Matthew 10:30).

This census of Israel is impressive. It reveals an impressive fighting force, “all in Israel who are able to go to war” (Numbers 1:3). It’s not going to be easy. God will give them the victory, but they will have to fight. And it’s not just physical. It’s the “good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). You’ll need armor to take a stand (Ephesians 6:13). Christian soldiers march onward into war, right?

I’m just one person on a planet where eight billion people live. And yet I am not just a number. I am somebody. God knows my name. He listens to my prayer. I count. I matter. I’m important enough that he sent his son Jesus to die for me.

One of the most important things you can do is let someone know they’re important. They matter. They count. Always start with that, before you tell them they matter to God. Make it real.