Numbers 30, Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: Never Too Late - February 3, 2022

I was called to the bedside of a dying man, an eighty-year-old scoundrel. He spent the final decade of his life with time on his hands, money at his disposal, and women on his mind. But he made a deathbed confession of faith. That’s too easy, I thought. A guy like him deserves to be routed through purgatory on the way to paradise.

John 14:23 says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” And, according to God’s great grace, if my scoundrel friend’s confession was sincere, he is walking the same heavenly streets as Paul and Peter and King David. Each a scoundrel in his own right.

It’s never too late to come to Christ for help. That knock at the door of your heart? That’s Jesus. All you have to do is open the door.

Numbers 30

Vows

Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the People of Israel: “This is what God commands: When a man makes a vow to God or binds himself by an oath to do something, he must not break his word; he must do exactly what he has said.

3-5 “When a woman makes a vow to God and binds herself by a pledge as a young girl still living in her father’s house, and her father hears of her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on all her vows and pledges. But if her father holds her back when he hears of what she has done, none of her vows and pledges are valid. God will release her since her father held her back.

6-8 “If she marries after she makes a vow or has made some rash promise or pledge, and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on whatever she vowed or pledged. But if her husband intervenes when he hears of it, he cancels the vow or rash promise that binds her. And God will release her.

9 “Any vow or pledge taken by a widow or divorced woman is binding on her.

10-15 “When a woman who is living with her husband makes a vow or takes a pledge under oath and her husband hears about it but says nothing and doesn’t say she can’t do it, then all her vows and pledges are valid. But if her husband cancels them when he hears about them, then none of the vows and pledges that she made are binding. Her husband has canceled them and God will release her. Any vow and pledge that she makes that may be to her detriment can be either affirmed or annulled by her husband. But if her husband is silent and doesn’t speak up day after day, he confirms her vows and pledges—she has to make good on them. By saying nothing to her when he hears of them, he binds her to them. If, however, he cancels them sometime after he hears of them, he takes her guilt on himself.”

16 These are the rules that God gave Moses regarding conduct between a man and his wife and between a father and his young daughter who is still living at home.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion    
Thursday, February 03, 2022

Today's Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:16–20
(NIV)

 So from now on we regard no one from a worldlyl point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,m the new creationn has come:a The old has gone, the new is here!o 18 All this is from God,p who reconciled us to himself through Christq and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.r And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,s as though God were making his appeal through us.t We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Insight

Paul’s critics had accused him of being out of his mind (2 Corinthians 5:13). Their insults probably hurt, but he wasn’t surprised. He knew he had a different way of thinking. His idea of good news was a resurrected Messiah King who conquered the world and rescued humanity by allowing Himself to be crucified. Paul admitted that embracing such thoughts led to a Christlike way of thinking that required living by faith rather than sight (5:7). And for Paul personally, it meant taking risks of love that meant sounding as if he’d lost his mind for the sake of his readers (11:23). Yet he took the chance of boasting of what he’d suffered in the love of Jesus so that his readers could answer those who took pride in “what is seen rather than in what is in the heart” (5:12; see also chs. 10–12). By: Mart DeHaan

A Fresh Start

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17

Chinese New Year celebrations are observed by Chinese families everywhere. These festivities are tied to the lunar calendar, usually falling somewhere in late January to mid-February. These times for family reunions come with many traditions—some of great significance. Buying and donning new clothes, giving our homes a good cleaning, and paying off outstanding debts remind us we’re putting the past behind and starting the year with a clean slate.

These traditions also remind me of our new life in Christ. No matter who we used to be or what we’ve done, we can put it all behind us. We can stop beating ourselves up over our past and let go of the guilt, knowing we’re completely forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross. And we can start afresh, knowing we can rely on the Holy Spirit to daily transform us to be more like Jesus.

That’s why Paul reminds believers “the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We too can say this because of the simple but powerful truth: God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and no longer counts our sins against us (v. 19).

Others around us may not be willing to forget our past wrongdoing, but we can take heart that in God’s eyes we’re no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). As Paul points out, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31). Let’s enjoy the fresh start He’s given us through Jesus. By:  Leslie Koh

Reflect & Pray

How can you remind yourself that you’re fully forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross? How can you encourage new believers to start life afresh?

Thank You, Jesus, for Your saving work on the cross that reconciles me to God and gives me a new life in You.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Thursday, February 03, 2022
Becoming the “Filth of the World”

We have been made as the filth of the world… —1 Corinthians 4:13

These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or “filth of the world.” “Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration— being “separated to the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1).

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, “I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.” And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the “skin of your teeth” if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel….” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ‘the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me…” (Galatians 1:16).

Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

Am I getting nobler, better, more helpful, more humble, as I get older? Am I exhibiting the life that men take knowledge of as having been with Jesus, or am I getting more self-assertive, more deliberately determined to have my own way? It is a great thing to tell yourself the truth.
The Place of Help

Bible in a Year: Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:1-22

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft
Thursday, February 03, 2022

Keep the Child Alive - #9149

There's a little boy or girl inside of you. Yeah, and you don't want to lose that little person no matter how many birthdays you have. Oh, the little boy in me, well, he's brought out by - well, let's say maybe three life experiences. The first snowfall - that's one.

The second one is Christmas. And I think that in many of us there's a little kid that sort of comes out at Christmas, and if we can't get toys for ourselves, we go buy them for our kids. Right? So, Christmas sort of brings out the kid in you. And then, I have to admit, well, this isn't a commercial. But it's like going to Disney World ... You know, when you walk into the Magic Kingdom something happens and you feel about five years old again. Actually, there's one life experience that should bring out the kid in all of us.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "Keep the Child Alive."

Now, for our word for today from the Word of God we go to Mark 10:15. "Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth. Anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'" So, Jesus is speaking here about our attitude toward the Kingdom of God. What does He mean by that? Well, if you wanted to give a simple definition, the Kingdom of God means God's rule in your life.

Now, what's your attitude toward God ruling your life; God's plans for your life? Well, it's supposed to be like a little child. I wonder if we don't over-complicate our faith sometimes. We accumulate biblical insights and we get these theological categories, these big words, and pretty soon we've got a name for everything spiritual. We've got everything nicely organized and categorized. And then maybe we carry extensive spiritual responsibilities; I know I do. And we start to develop this analytical, kind of clinical approach to what was once just grabbing Jesus' hand like a little child.

You ever been to a children's program at church? It's so refreshing to see their little faces all lit up, and sometimes singing off key; but singing from their heart these praise songs to the Lord. There's just innocence. They're unpretentious; they've just got this happy love for Jesus. You can see it when a child sings. You remember when you first learned those words, "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so." I can remember. They don't carry a tune so well, and their theology is not very well developed, but these kids just love Jesus.

Could it be that you've lost that trusting little child under all your layers of spiritual sophistication? The joy of knowing Jesus is for those who daily grab His hand and say, "Where to today, Jesus? Anywhere You take me is fine." The glow is for those with the openness of a child who can drop all the theological language and just say, "Jesus, I'm scared. I'm hurt. I'm lost. I'm weak. I need You."

Maybe for you it's time to re-awaken that childlike faith that got you started in Christ in the first place. He'll do the leading. He'll do the providing. He'll do the protecting. He'll do the carrying.

The first snow? Christmas? Amusement parks? They may or not bring out the child in you. But knowing Jesus, trusting Jesus? That should keep the child alive in you. And I am so grateful that what Jesus did for us He said it simply requires the faith of a little child to possess it. What He did on the cross, dying for our sins, loving us enough to pay the penalty we deserve, that is something a child can grasp, and theologians can never explore the depths of.

I sometimes think we've over-complicated knowing God. When it comes back to what that little child learned to sing, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I wonder for all your years in church and all you know about Jesus, maybe you've missed a relationship with Him. You've missed it with all your Christianity, because there's never been that reaching up and just grabbing His hand and saying, "Jesus, what You did on the cross is my only hope. I'm Yours."

Would you get that settled today? I think our website might help. Would you go there and check it out? It's ANewStory.com. I hope by the end of the day you'll be able to say with full confidence, "Jesus loves me. This I know."