Doyle Smith Daily

 Numbers 13:20 (ESV) Originally published 08/14/2015  God could have ordered the people oi Israel to go immediately into Canaan, but he wanted them to know exactly what they were getting into and to be unified in obedience to him. He ordered Moses to form a committee of the leader of each of the 12 tribes. "Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them.  'Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land'" Numbers 13:20 (ESV). Lord, you know everything and have all power. It is amazing that you allow humans to participate in what you are doing. I ask that in our home we might ...

Numbers 12:11-14 (ESV) Originally published 08/13/2015 God chose Moses as the leader of his people, but Miriam demanded that she and her brother Aaron be equal spiritual leaders with Moses. God told her that he had chosen Moses and no one else. "And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said to Moses, 'Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he come out of his mother's womb.' And Moses cried to the LORD, 'O God please heal her---please.' But the LORD said to Moses, 'If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut outside the camp seven days, and after that she may be brought in again'" Numbers 12:11-14 (ESV). God gave her the death penalty for the most serious spiritual crime that a person can commit - the rejection of God as ruler of the world. Moses should have been angry a...

 Numbers 12:6-9 (ESV) Originally published 08/12/2015 Moses brother, Aaron, and sister, Miriam, were jealous of Moses position of leadership and thought they should be recognized as his equal. In their jealousy they began to criticize Moses. God told them to come to the tent where he met with Moses. "And he said, 'Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision: I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?' And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed" Numbers 12:6-9 (ESV). Moses could not have defended himself; it would have been his opinion against theirs, but there was no argument after God spoke. Lord, what a comfort to know that if I obey you and faithfully do what you tell me to do, you ...

 Numbers 12:1-4 (ESV) Originally published 08/11/2015  God promises those who obey him that he will protect them. "Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, 'Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? 'Has he not spoken through us also?' And the LORD heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.  And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, 'Come out you three to the tent of meeting'" Numbers 12:1-4 (ESV).  When we are faithfully serving God, Satan will find someone who will criticize us. Moses did nothing wrong, and he did not defend himself. He trusted God to defend him. Lord, give me the humility to listen to direction that you are giving me through your people. Give me the faith to believe that you will protect me from Satan inspired attacks that come from people. Most of all give me th...

 Numbers 11:26-29 (ESV) Originally published 08/10/2015 Moses needed help, and God gave him 70 men to help him. God sent his Spirit on them so they could teach the wisdom of God, but it was just for a short time. "Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered (of the 70), but they had not gone out to the tent (as the other 68 did), and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, 'Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.' And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, 'My lord Moses, stop them.' But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" Numbers 11:26-29 (ESV) Joshua was concerned for Moses’ position and influence, but Moses, in his humility, was more interested in the people hearing the message of God than i...

 Numbers 11:18-23 (ESV) Originally published 08.08/2015   The Israelites were freed from slavery and being led to a land that God would give them, but they are complaining that the food God was miraculously providing had no meat. God told Moses: "And say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt." Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?" But Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, 'I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!'...

 Numbers 11:16-17 (ESV) Originally published 08/07/2015 Moses told God that the demands of leading the people of Israel by himself was crushing him. "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone'" Numbers 11:16-17 (ESV). Moses’ help was already there and available. All that God was waiting on was for Moses to see his need and ask. Jesus told us to ask and we would receive what we need to do what he asks of us. Lord, I know how Moses felt. Open my eyes to the help that you have provided for me, and give me the humility to ask for it.

 Numbers 11:11-15 (ESV) Originally published 08/06/2015  Moses was overwhelmed doing the job God gave him, and he did the right thing. He told God how he felt. "Moses said to the LORD, 'Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me. 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child' to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness" Numbers 11: 11-15 (ESV).  God had given Moses this task, but Moses was trying to do it in his own wisdom and strength. God wanted Moses to r...

 Numbers 11:10 (ESV) Originally published 08/05/2015   The people of Israel were upset because God didn't give them meat to eat. "Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the LORD blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased" Numbers 11:10 (ESV). God was offended. He has all knowledge, and wisdom. He was providing for them miraculously, but they think he is not doing his job correctly. It is blaspheming and deadly to think that human wisdom is superior to that of God. God gets angry because of his love for us. He gets angry when he sees people choosing to reject what he tells them are the right choices. We are precious to God. He knows that when we live contrary to what he has told us is right, we are destroying ourselves and people around us. Then he gets angry because he cares for us. Lord, remind me that everything you tell me to do is in my best interest, even though I might not see how it could be at that tim...

 Numbers 11:4-6 (ESV) Originally published 08/04/2015 God had rescued the people of Israel from slavery and was going to provide every family with land to farm. He was leading them through unpopulated places so they would not be attacked. Miraculously, he was making it rain enough sweet bread every day for every single person. "Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, 'Oh that we had meat to eat. We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at'” Numbers 11:4-6 (ESV). God was saving their lives, feeding them, giving them a new future and they were complaining about the menu. Lord, because I have committed my life to you, remind me when things seem bad that you are in the process of giving me life in all of its fullness.

Numbers 11:1-2 (ESV) Originally published 08/03/2015   The Israelites had been set free from slavery for two years: "And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down" Numbers 11: 1-2 (ESV). When we have surrendered our lives to God's control and we complain about what has happened to us, we are insulting God. We are telling God that our judgment is better than his, and it is blasphemy. Lord, I know that you have not promised that everything that happens to me will be good, but you have promised that in all the things that happen, if I obey you, that you will bring good out of it. This promise always encourages me.

 Numbers 9:22-23 (ESV) Originally published 08/01/2015 "Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses" Numbers 9:22-23 (ESV).  The people of Israel could have gotten to the land of promise much faster if they had traveled as fast as they could, but God was not only taking them to the land of promise, but teaching them to follow him and to accept his authority. Lord, help me to remember that obedience has two parts. One is to know what to do or what needs to be said to someone, and the second part is to know when you want me to do or say it.

 Numbers 9:6-8 (ESV) Originally published 07/31/2015  God instructed Moses to celebrate the first Passover after leaving Egypt. "And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. And those men said to him, 'We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the LORD's offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?' And Moses said to them, 'Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you'" Numbers 9:6- 8 (ESV). This is the secret to Moses’ greatness. He didn't try to figure it out on his own, but went to God for guidance. Lord, I thank you for giving me principles that guide me in making decisions. Sometimes it is hard to apply those principles to situations I face. Remind me to ask for your guidance and give me patience to wait for your answer. Then give me the faith to do ex...

 Numbers 9:1-2 (ESV) Originally published 07/30/2015 "And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 'Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time'" Numbers 9:1-2 (ESV). God did not want the people of Israel to forget that he had delivered them from slavery, even though they were not yet at home in the land he promised them. Lord, I don't want to take for granted that you came into this world to show me how to live and died for my sins. Once a year at Easter does not seem enough. Every Sunday I want to thank you for saving me from Satan and the power of sin. Every day, when I ask for forgiveness for my sins, remind me of the price you paid for my forgiveness.

 Numbers 7:89 (ESV) Originally published 07/28/2015 The God of the Bible is living. "And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony from between the two cherubim, and it spoke to him" Numbers 7:89 (ESV). We don't know if God's speaking could have been heard by anyone but Moses, but every follower of Jesus knows that he clearly communicates with them. Our God lives and communicates with us. Lord, you clearly guided me yesterday, and I did what you wanted me to do. I was able to get so much of your work done. I praise you for that. Guide me to know what to do and give me the discipline to do what you tell me today.

 Numbers 7:12-88 (ESV) Originally published 07/27/2015 The tabernacle was completed and ready to be dedicated, and each tribe was to bring their offerings for the dedication of the altar. The chief of each tribe brought exactly the same offering, one tribe each day for 12 days in a row and each one is listed individually. Numbers 7:12-83 (ESV) Then in Numbers 7:84-88 (ESV) there is a total of all 12 tribes' gifts. It is hard to read because it is so repetitive. I think that God is telling us that he notices what every one of his people does, and he values what we do to show our love and commitment to him as our Lord. Lord, I want my life today to be an offering to you. Show me what you want to change in me and what I can do to bring you honor and praise.

 Numbers 8:22-26 (ESV) Originally published 07/25/2015 "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" Numbers 6:22-26 (ESV). This is what God wants to do for those who obey him. He wants to "keep" or guard us. He wants to treat us with favor (face shine on us). He wants to give us peace or well-being. It must be painful for God to want to provide those things for his people, but because of our rebellion he cannot. Lord, help me not to seek these blessings but to be passionate about obedience that you might do for me all that you want to do.

 Numbers 5:5-7 (ESV) Originally published 07.24.2015  In our human system of justice a thief would be required to return what was stolen and be put in jail to satisfy the law. God is more concerned with restoring relationships that are broken when theft occurs: "When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong" Numbers 5:5-7 (ESV). Stealing breaks one’s relationship with God and the person who has lost property. Both relationships must be restored to settle the issue as far as God is concerned. The thief confesses to God that he did not trust God to provide for him, and now he expresses his faith in God by giving back what he had stolen plus 20%. Now the thief is materially worse off and must depend even more on God to provide than ...

 Numbers 2:34 (ESV) Originally published 07/23/2015 "Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers' house" Numbers 2:34. God told his people how to organize and take a census, and they did it exactly as God commanded. It seems like a small thing, but they did all that God commanded them. Lord, I would love to hear you say that about me. Help me to ignore the things that waste my time and to do everything today that you want me to do.

 Numbers 2:32 (ESV) Originally published 07/22/2015   God had the people of Israel take a census of the 12 tribes: "These are the people of Israel as listed by their fathers' houses. All those listed in the camps by their companies were 603,550" Numbers 2:32 (ESV).  Each of the 12 tribes had a leader. The smallest tribe had 32,200 people and the largest 157,600 people. Moses was the leader of all the tribes, but he had to depend on these 12 leaders to get their people to do what Moses directed. There had to be many unnamed, but not unknown, people who made this succeed. Lord, your work around the world is enormous, and you have given a little bit of this big work to each one of your people. I want to be faithful today to do my little, but important, part of what you are doing to change the lives of the people that I meet today.

 Numbers 2:1-2 (ESV) Originally published 07/21/2015  "The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying. 'The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side'" Numbers 2:1-2 (ESV). The tent of meeting was symbolic of God's presence. Their lives were to be built around God and what he told them. Lord, I want you to be the center of my life today. I want the first graders that I teach tonight to see you in me. Help me make clear to the children at Vacation Bible School how you need to be the center of their lives.

 Numbers 1:44-46 (ESV) Originally published 07/20/2015  God was leading his people to take the land of Canaan, so he ordered Moses and Aaron to make a list of every single man who was able to fight. "These are those who were listed, whom Moses and Aaron listed with the help of the chiefs of Israel, twelve men, each representing his fathers' house. So all those listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel---all those listed were 603,550" Numbers 1:44-46 (ESV). Most of everything God does in the universe is without the help of people, but on this earth he chooses to work through people. God could have caused every one of the Canaanites to drop dead and the people of Israel could have walked into the land and settled where they wanted, but he gave them the task of taking the land. Every single follower of Christ also has a job to do to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and they will ...