In Psalm 11 David is faced with tribulation in a moment of crisis. What did he do? His refuge that offered lasting help and hope was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How do we find refuge in the seemingly untangle God? How did David hope in God? David’s faith was kindled as God drew Him closer to Himself. As David learned to cling to God and love Him with his heart, mind, soul and strength the hope to overcome calamity was developed. The faithfulness of God will renew your hope as you learn that He is always there for you. If you find yourself tossed about when difficult moments of life arise what hope do you have? Ask that God will draw you closer to Himself as you learn to cling to Him in all things. Take time to seek God on a consistent basis. If you run to God on a daily basis you will easily run to God for your hope and help in your moment of crisis.

Have you heard of the book The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson? I remember reading this book in 2001 when it was first released and I found it really amazing how this random prayer of this man Jabez was found in the middle of 1 Chronicles. I read the book multiple times and enjoyed it greatly as I found encouragement in the prayer Jabez prayed to God. Did I really understand the uniqueness of this mans prayer back in 2001 when I read the book? I honestly didn’t have a solid overall view of the story of the Bible up to and including 1 Chronicles. After I have read through the Old Testament and reflected on each chapter I am even more amazed by the prayer Jabez made. In context to the overall story of the Bible this man was unique in a time when many men were seeking their own desires with little regard for God. Why was his prayer included in 1 Chronicles? Why would the Israelites need to remember this mans story? Was the dependance upon God that Jabez displayed so uncommon within the post exilic Israelite community that he was singled out? It truly is amazing to see this prayer in the midst of all the genealogies of the people of Israel. Take time to read through this wonderful story contained within the Bible and you will be blessed in ways you will never expect.

In Numbers chapter 11 you can see the worn leader Moses as he laments to God about the headstrong and unbelieving Israelites. He wishes for death instead of being a nursemaid for the people. In weariness it is hard to remember the wondrous power that God has. Moses forgets that God’s power is limitless. When the people complained to God about lacking meat in chapter 11 God provided an abundance of quail. There quail was piled three feet high all around the camp for a days journey in all directions there was quail. That is a lot of meat. I hope and pray that I would have been thankful for the food but the Israelites took the food and ate it with out giving thanks to God. God’s anger was kindled and the camp was struck by severe plague.

Following the story of unbelief in Numbers chapter 11 we are given another account of people complaining against God in Numbers 12. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because they felt that God was not just speaking through Moses by saying, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken though us as well?” Here is what God says in response:

Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, shall make myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream.
Not so, with My servant Moses,
He is faithful in all My household;
With him I speak mouth to mouth,
Even openly, and not in dark sayings,
And he beholds the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant, against Moses?

Numbers 11:6-8 NASB

God was angry with Aaron and Miriam. Miriam became leprous after God departed and she had to live outside the camp for 7 days and then she became whole again. I am amazed that in the midst of seeing God’s wonder day after day that humans can still grumble and complain about what God is doing or how He does things.

What does Numbers 11 and 12 have for us to apply in our daily lives? I think it is crucial that we focus on God alone and find our satisfaction in Him. It was all too easy got the Israelites to look back upon their lives and think that their bondage in Egypt was better than living by faith daily with God. I’ll admit that it does take time to seek God daily today just as collecting manna for food took a lot of time. Developing a vibrant relationship with God can take time but what we reap in return is more precious than anything. Why should I choose a life of bondage to a life in sin when true freedom is mine in Christ Jesus? Heed the warning in Numbers and seek out and be thankful for that daily feasting we can have in God.