Reading
SAA Notes
Attack is hardest when it comes from within family, workplace and congregation. Moses has to deal with Miriam’s and Aaron’s jealousy. God’s response brings Moses’ anguished prayer: O God, please heal her! God’s love is tough – Miriam learnt an unforgettable lesson!
SJA Notes
* God above, we would earnestly seek You, our soul thirsts for You as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. You steadfast love is better than life.
“Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
This passage has two stories of both faith and faith-less-ness.
Aaron and Miriam were jealous of Moses and let their selfishness, and dislike of his wife, override their faith and trust in the Lord.
The Lord gives a most wonderful encouragement about Moses, “He is faithful in all my house.”
Aaron and Miriam suffer for their faithlessness, and Moses is rewarded (God answers his prayer) for his faith in the Lord.
The second story is that of the spies sent into Canaan.
Ten spies show a distinct faith-LESS-ness. What they saw with their eyes impacted their thoughts and they forgot who their God was. They wallowed in unbelief.
But look at Caleb and Joshua, of great faith!
Caleb remembers this day in (the book of) Joshua 14,
“I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me;”
The Lord blessed him and Joshua for their faith. Of that whole generation they were the only ones who entered the promised land.
How good for us then it is that through Jesus we are able to enter His kingdom and look forward to the final and true promised land, the heavens and earth made new.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
* Gracious Lord God,
Thank You for taking care of us, for saving us and growing us.
Thank You that we are able to, in You, bear good fruit – Like Caleb and Joshua, and Moses, the fruits of faithfulness.
Lord please help us believe!
Amen.