Doyle Smith Daily

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; however, 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 exa...

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 8:22 (ESV) Originally published 07/29/2015 This is an example of what it means that God is the Lord or master of his followers: Aaron and his sons were told to be priests, not asked to be priests, and they obeyed. There was a lot of physical labor to keep up the tabernacle and burn the sacrifices, so God assigned this job to the males of the whole tribe of Levi. "And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them" Numbers 8:22.   When we surrender our lives to God, he has full authority to tell us what to do, and he demands obedience. He will provide all we need to do what he commands us to do. Lord, make clear what my assignments are, and when I see that I can't do them, remind me that you will provide all I need to do what you have assigned to me. If I start to worry, remind me that I am not trusting you.

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: 12-33; 84-88 (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 everyone 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 pleasure.

Numbers 6:22-26 (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 obedienc e so 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 be...

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: 43 (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...

Numbers 1: 2-15 (ESV) Originally published 07/18/2015 The people of Israel would have to fight to drive out the people who were living in the land that God was giving to Israel. God told Moses to: "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them company by company. And there shall be with you a man from each tribe, each man being the head of the house of his fathers. And these are the names of the men who shall assist you." Then God names one person from each of the 12 tribes. Numbers 1:2-15 (ESV). Building an army from scratch was an overwhelming job, but God told Moses how to start and who would help him.  Lord, when you ask me to do things, I look at my abilities and know I can't do what you tell me to do. Give me the courage to act on what I know to do, trus...

Leviticus 27:30-31 (ESV) Originally published 07/17/2015 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD.  If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it" Leviticus 27:30-31 (ESV). This is how God sees the material world.  It is his, and he allows humans to live in it and use it, but he wants us to remember that it is his.  The tithe is like a rent. God does not need the money or cattle, but he demands that we remember that he is the owner of everything, and the tithe is our reminder of his ownership.  The tithe is God's, and it is to be given first as a reminder to us of God's ownership.  Failure to give it is a denial of his creation, ownership, and authority. Every tenth animal born into the herd is to be given to God, but if the herdsman wants that animal, he can buy it back from God by paying 20% more than its value.  Lord, thank you for letting me li...

Leviticus 27:26-27 (ESV) Originally published 07/16/2015 Everything in this world is made by God, and it is his by right of creation. God does not need material things, but to remind his people of his provision to them he commanded: "But a firstborn of animals, which as a firstborn belongs to the LORD, no man may dedicate; whether ox or sheep, it is the LORD's. And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall buy it back at the valuation, and add a fifth to it, or if it is not redeemed, it shall be sold at the valuation” Leviticus 27:26-7 (ESV). Lord, I recognize that everything has been made by you and whatever material things you have given me to control are really yours. Whatever you need from me I will give joyously because you have been so generous to me, and it really belongs to you anyway.

Leviticus 26:40-42 (ESV) Originally published 07/15/2015 God's judgment is certain and severe on disobedience and rebellion, but he is ready for reconciliation. "But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me, so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies---if then their uncircumcised heart, is humbled, and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land" Leviticus 26:40-42 (ESV). God is willing to forgive completely and restore every  promise he has made to us if we humble ourselves, acknowledge our rebellion and accept his authority over our lives. Lord, reveal to me situations when it is more important to me to please myself than to please you, and convict me of my pride and arrogance

Leviticus 26:18, 21, 23, 27-8; 32-33 (ESV) Originally published 07/14/2015 God tells his people all the punishment that will come to them when they don't live by his law and commandments. Then, he says: "And if in spite of this you will not listen to me, then I will discipline you again sevenfold for your sin" Leviticus 26:18 (ESV).   "Then, if you walk contrary to me and will not listen to me, I will continue striking you sevenfold for your sins" Leviticus 26:21 (ESV). "And if by this discipline you are not turned to me but walk contrary to me, then I also will walk contrary to you, and I myself will strike you sevenfold for your sins" Leviticus 26:23 (ESV)   . . . . "But, if in spite of this you will not listen to me, but walk contrary to me, then I will walk contrary to you in fury, and I myself will discipline you sevenfold for your sins....And I myself will devastate the land, so that your enemies who settle in it shall be appalled at it. And...

Leviticus 26:14-16a, 17 (ESV) Originally published 07/13/2015 To those people who have promised to obey God he says: "But, if you will not listen to me and will not do all of these commandments. If you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you" Leviticus 26:14-16a, 17 (ESV). God is not talking about disobedience because of weakness or immaturity, but conscious rejections of his clear commands and resentment of his teachings. Then God will no longer keep his promises to protect us, and we live in fear and paranoia. Lord, there are many who claim to be followers of you, but who reject what in the past were considered your commands. Give me the wisdom to see when these new ideas are new understandings from you or ...

Leviticus 26:14-16 (ESV) Originally published 07/11/2015 God brings different kinds of punishment to those who promise to follow him but then ignore him: "But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments. If you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you:... you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it" Leviticus 26:14-16 (ESV). God promises to provide for his people, and financial problems can be one of the signs that God has withdrawn his provision because we are not keeping our promise of obedience to him. Lord, one of the great comforts I have had in my life is to know that when I was faithful to obey, you would provide my material needs.

Leviticus 26: 14-16 (ESV) Originally published 07/10/2015 There are consequence for breaking our commitment to God: "But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments. If you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consumes the eyes and make the heart ache” Leviticus 26:14-6 (ESV). Failing to keep our commitments to God can bring psychological, emotional or physical problems. Lord, I know that not all of these  problems are always the result of your judgment, and I know that when you do bring judgment on me, it is intended to correct something in my life. I know that you do not bring this kind of judgment without telling me why it is there. Give me a humble spirit to submit to you when I recognize your judgment in my life.

Leviticus 26:3, 9 (ESV) Originally published 07/08/2015 God's promise to his people: "If you will walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them,… I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you" Leviticus 26:3,9 (ESV). When I trust God enough to live the way he tells me to live, he will notice, and he will keep the promises he made to those who trust him. That person will see that God is guiding their choices, providing their needs, protecting them, and they will be a blessing to those around them. Lord, help me to live today exactly as you want, using my time and life as you direct, trusting you to take care of my future.

Leviticus 26:6-7 (ESV) Originally published 07/07/2015 God's promise: "If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, I will give you peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove the harmful beasts from the land and the sword shall not go through your land. You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword" Leviticus 26:6-7 (ESV). Our peace does not come from the absence of danger or difficulty, but from the confidence that God will remove the dangers and give us the ability to overcome the people who are a threat to us. Lord, give me the trust in you to do whatever you tell me to do and not to look at my ability for peace, but to trust your wisdom and strength. 

Leviticus 26:3, 5 (ESV) Originally published 07/06/2015 God's promise: "If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest and the grape harvest shall last to the time of sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely" Leviticus 26:3,5 (ESV). If God's people put into practice what God tells them to do, he promises the necessities of life and security. Lord, you have kept this promise to me. I ask you to give me a greater passion to do what I know you want me to do and trust the material things to you.

Leviticus 26:3-4 (ESV) Originally published 07/04/2015 God promises to provide for his people." If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit" Leviticus 26:3-4 (ESV). God's provision for his people was conditioned on living in obedience to him and working. Then he will bless their efforts with success. Lord, help me to grow in my obedience and faithfulness to you, and help me to discipline my time to do what you have assigned to me.

Leviticus 25:23-24 (ESV) Originally published 07/03/2015 When God brought the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he took them to the land he had promised to Abraham's descendants. He gave each family a plot of land and he told them: "The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land" Leviticus 25:23-4 (ESV). God allows us to live on his ground. We may get a title to it and build on it or farm it, but we are only temporary residents. Lord, how do you see me? Am I renting from you the place in which I live? Help me understand what it means that you own everything that you have placed in my hands. What are your rules for handling what you have let me use?