SINsation
I see a common theme running through each of the passages for today’s Bible reading. Sin. In Numbers 12 Miriam and Aaron sin with their mouths, talking against Moses (I think out of jealousy, and that‘s a sin also). They said, “Hasn’t the Lord spoken through us also?” I guess they forgot that the Lord was listening to their conversation (something we should remember!!). He called them on the carpet and said “Why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
Ten of the spies who were sent at the order from the Lord to spy out the land the Lord had promised them (Numbers 13) brought back a negative report. Instead of believing that God would go before them and bring victory, they saw themselves as grasshoppers because of the great size of the people living there. They caused the people to rebel. Their sin was negativity, unbelief and rebellion.
Psalm 49 talks about the fate of those who trust in themselves. We will all die one day, but those who have trusted in themselves instead of the Lord have no hope of eternal life. All their wealth and possessions count for nothing. But those who trust in the Lord have the hope that he will redeem their lives from the grave and will surely take them to himself. Psalm 49:15. Again the sin of unbelief; also being preoccupied with gathering wealth and possessions to the exclusion of thinking about your eternal destiny.
Several sins are mentioned in Isaiah 2; superstition and practicing divination which would correspond with getting involved in the occult in our modern time; arrogance, pride, and idolatry (which is anything that comes between you and God). The Lord has a day in store when everything will be judged.
The remedy for all this is seen in Hebrews 10: Jesus, because he made the sacrifice once and for all for all every kind of sin. “We have been made holy through the sacrificed of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Verse 10) He puts his laws in our hearts and write them on our minds. It is his word and the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live apart from sin. That doesn’t mean we won’t goof up and make mistakes, “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1 And “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
Pastor Ben began a series last weekend called “SINsation.” It’s a good reminder to all of us to examine our lives, be on our guard, and to determine to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”Heb. 12:1. The key to doing that is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 14, Psalm 50, Isaiah 3-4, Hebrews 11
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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