Doyle Smith Daily

Numbers 30:1-2 (ESV) Originally published 10/12/2015 "Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, 'This is what the LORD has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth'" Numbers 30:1-2 (ESV). God demands honesty and integrity of his followers. Lord, I always want to help people and do what they ask. Remind me to think about whether or not I have time or can do what they ask before making a promise. When I promise to pray for someone or about something, keep reminding me until I fulfill every promise I make to people and to you.

Numbers 27:12-14 (ESV) Originally published 10/10/2015  "The LORD said to Moses, 'Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people as you brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation, quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes'" Numbers 27:12-14 (ESV). I am sure that God forgave Moses of his sin of rebellion, but he still had to accept the consequences of his sin. God will forgive us of our sins, but he does not always remove the consequences of our sin. Lord, it is frightening to think that I might do something that would destroy my usefulness to you. Please, warn me when temptations come to me so that would damage my usefulness to you.

Numbers 26:51-54 (ESV) Originally published 10/09/2015 God's contract with Abraham was that he would provide for his descendants. God had Moses count every single person. 'This was the list of the people of Israel, 601,730. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Among these the land shall be divided for inheritance according to the number of names. To a large tribe you shall give an inheritance according to the number of names, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance; every tribe shall be given its inheritance in proportion to its list'" Numbers 26:51-54 (ESV). God provides for the needs of his people, not everything they want. He requires us to work and manage what he provides for us. Lord, give me the wisdom to manage what you have trusted to me. Help me to be a good steward of what you have given to me and use it to benefit your Kingdom.

Numbers 25:1-5 (ESV) Originally published 10/08/2015 God blessed Israel and they defeated the Amorites who were trying to destroy them. Israel had a place to live, and they were safe. "While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said to Moses, 'Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the LORD, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.' And Moses said to the judges of Israel, 'Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor'" Numbers 25:1-5 (ESV). No army could destroy God's people, but lust did. God is the Lord of those who live as he commands. The men of Israel abandoned God's commands with regard to sex to live like pagans. To ...

Numbers 22:31-32 (ESV) Originally published 10/07/2015 Balaam had agreed to curse the people of Israel for pay, but as he went his donkey saw the angel of the Lord in his way and would not go where Balaam wanted it to go. The donkey finally laid down. "Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the LORD said to him, 'Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me'" Numbers 22:31-32 (ESV). This struggle between God and Balaam was going on to save Israel, and they never knew about it and didn't even know to pray for protection. Lord, I wonder how many battles you fight for me, and I never even know about them. What a wonderful thing to know that because I have given my life to you, I have you as my own personal guard, the most powerful person in t...

Numbers 22:20-22a (ESV) Originally published 10/06/2015 Balak king of Moab was afraid that the people of Israel would invade his country, so he sent for Balaam to put a curse on them. Balaam said he would ask God what to do:  "And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, 'If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.' So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God's anger was kindled because he went..." Numbers 22:20-22a (ESV). The story will show that Balaam went, not to obey God, but for the financial reward, even when he said he would not do it for money. God wants us not only to obey him, but to obey him for the right reason. Lord, you know I want people to like me, but I count on you to guide me so I will do what you want and say what you want, regardless of what people think or say about me. You know my motives better than I do, so please alert me when my motives are no...

Numbers 22:12-14 (ESV) Originally published 10/05/2015 The people of Midian saw how God had given Israel the victory over the Ammonites, and they were afraid they would be defeated next. They sent people to get Balaam to put a curse on Israel. "God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people because they are blessed.' So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, 'Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.' So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, 'Balaam refuses to come with us'" Numbers 22:12-14 (ESV). The people of Israel were in danger and did not even know about it, but God took care of them without their even knowing about it. Lord, it is a great comfort to know that you take care of me even when I don't know that I am in danger. I praise you that you allow me to live without fear of the future.

Numbers 21:23-24a (ESV) Originally published 10/02/2015 The Israelites needed to pass through the land of the Amorites and asked permission. "But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok" Numbers 21:23-24a (ESV).  Israel did everything right. They asked permission to go through Sihon's country and promised to stay on the road, not take any of the crops and not drink any water. Sihon responded by trying to destroy Israel, but God gave them the victory, and they had their first place to live since leaving Egypt. There are times when we are living in obedience to God, but everything seems to fall apart. If we continue to obey God, he transforms the disaster into a great blessing. Lord, when things don't go as I expect...

Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV) Originally published 10/01/2015 The people of Israel rebelled against God's authority, complaining that he was not providing food and water as they wanted. God sent poison snakes among the people, and many died. The people admitted they were wrong and asked God to remove the snakes. "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live" Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV).  To answer their prayers God could have destroyed the snakes or made them nonpoisonous, but God was more concerned with their spiritual rebellion than their physical problems. So, he gave them a remedy that required them to submit to his authority. Lord, I know that all you want me to do is for the good of your kingdom and to help me grow to be more like you. But I can see that sometimes I...

Numbers 21:6-7 (ESV) Originally published 09/30/2015 The people of Israel were in rebellion against God and Moses, the leader that God gave them. "Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us'" Numbers 21:6-7 (ESV). Lord, how many of my problems are the natural result of my actions, and how many of them are things you bring on me to reveal my resistance to you? When you give me corrective punishment, help me to recognize it, and give me the humility to acknowledge my rebellion. I ask you to give me a passion to obey you in everything I think and do.

Numbers 21:4-5 (ESV) Originally published 09/29/2015 "From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food'" Numbers 21:4-5 (ESV). When I started reading this, I thought, "This again. Why do they keep committing the same sin over and over?" Then God began to show me the things in my life that he has been trying to change in me so I would be more like him. Lord, I don't want to be stuck in the same way of life. Give me the ability to do what you want without delay and to not be bound by fears.

Numbers 21:2-3a (ESV) Originally published 09/28/2015  God's people were doing exactly what God had told them to do, and they were attacked, and some were taken as prisoners. "And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, 'If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.' And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction" Numbers 21:2-3a (ESV). Logically, it seems, if we are obeying God, that he would keep tragic things from happening, but he doesn't. This time Israel did the right thing and asked God to give them the ability to defeat the enemy. He answered their prayers. Lord, when I am trying my best to obey you, and there are bad results, remind me to ask you for the wisdom and power to overcome the problems. Give me confidence that when I obey, you will take care of me in the long run no matter what happens in the short term.

Numbers 20:12 (ESV) Originally published 09/26/2015 "And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them'" Numbers 20:12 (ESV). God told Moses exactly what to do, but he didn't do exactly what God told him to do. (hit the rock instead of speaking to it). God counts the failure to do exactly what he instructs us to do as unbelief. We trust our own judgment, not his. God is holy (different from humans). The major way he is different is that he rules the world, and when Moses rejected God's instructions, he replaced God’s plan for his own plan, which put Moses on an equal plane with God. Complete obedience to what God tells us recognizes his authority and shows that we believe he is the ruler of the world. Lord, give me clear directions today as to what you want me to do and leave undone and the determina...

Numbers 20:8a, 9-12 (ESV) Originally published 09/24/2015 This was one of the best days of Moses’ life and one of the worst. The people of Israel had no water for themselves or their animals and were complaining that Moses was trying to kill them. God told Moses: "Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water."...And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, 'Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?'   And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I ...

Numbers 20:11 (ESV) Originally published 09/23/2015 There was no water for thousands of people and animals. "And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly and the congregation drank, and their livestock" Numbers 20:11 (ESV). Lord, your power is overwhelming. I know that there is nothing that is impossible for you. I have to confess that sometimes things seem impossible, and they are to me. Help me to live by what I know to be true, instead of what appears to me to be true so that you might demonstrate your wisdom and power for all to see who you are.

Numbers 20:6a (ESV) Originally published 09/22/2015 The people of Israel had a meeting with Moses, and they were angry at him again because they had no water for themselves or the animals. It looked as if everyone would die, and they accused Moses of bringing them into the wilderness to kill them. "Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces” Numbers 20:6a (ESV). This was the fourth time in the book of Numbers that they did this. Each time it appeared that God's plan to take the people to Canaan was destined to fail. They prostrated themselves flat on the ground to show their complete submission to God and their helplessness. Each time they were pleading with God to intervene in a situation that would save the people who were mad at Moses. Moses and Aaron were begging God to save the very people who wanted to kill them. Lord, Moses did what you did on the cross. He pleaded for those who mistreated h...

Numbers 20: 2-5 (ESV) Originally published 09/21/2015 "Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, 'Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink'" Numbers 20:2-5 (ESV). They knew what God had done for their parents and grandparents, but that was in the past. While reading the Bible it was just a few pages back, but for them it was many years ago. Lord, it is not that I doubt your power, but like the people in this story, I don't expect it in our time. I don't think of myself as worthy of such care as you gave them. Help me to live in obed...

Numbers 18: 8, 20 (ESV) Originally published 09/19/2015 God provides for his workers. "Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, 'Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to me, all the consecrated things of the people of Israel. I have given them to you as a portion and to your sons as a perpetual due.'  . . . And the LORD said to Aaron, 'You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel'" Numbers 18:8, 20 (ESV). Every Israelite family got a farm that would provide their physical need, but Aaron and his family had to depend on God to provide without the security of land they could farm. They were dependent on something they could not control, people giving offerings. To the followers of Christ 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession." We inherit the promise made...

Numbers 18:6-7 (ESV) Originally published 09/18/2015   "And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting. And you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death" Numbers18:6-7 (ESV). It is sad that some people see being asked to serve God as a burden, but God sees it as a gift for us to be able to work with him. Then he gives us  the people we need to help us as another gift. Lord, I thank you for giving me the gift to serve you. I can see in all that you have asked me to do; you have also sent many people to help and support me. Thank you for allowing me to have a little part in your great plan of building your Kingdom.

Numbers 17:3b-5 (ESV) Originally published 09/17/2015 God is the ruler of his people. Some of the people of Israel rebelled against Moses’ leadership (14,700 died in the plague sent on the rebels). God uses his power to affirm his choice of workers. "For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers' house. Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you" Numbers 17:3b-5 (ESV). In his church he gives abilities to people to do the work he needs to have done, and when they do it, he makes it effective. This affirms that the person doing the work is chosen of God. Lord, make clear to me the things that you have given me to do, and give me the ability to do them. You have promised that, if I am faithful, the results will be greater than my human skill. Help me not t...

Numbers 16:41, 43-45 (ESV) Originally published 09/16/2015 More than 250 leaders of Israel rebelled against God's chosen leader, and God opened the ground, and they were crushed. "But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, 'You have killed the people of the LORD.'...and Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Get away from the midst of the congregation that I might consume them in a moment.' And they fell on their faces" Numbers 16:41,43-5 (ESV). Moses had every reason to be angry that he was being blamed for what God had done and to want the people who were blaming him to be punished. But Moses and Aaron fell on their faces to plead with God for the people who were falsely accusing them. Lord, you did more than turn the other cheek when you were crucified. You, like Moses, prayed for those who were killing you. Teach me, even whe...

Numbers 16:31-32 (ESV) Originally published 09/15/2015 God had found in Moses a man who would do whatever he told him to do, and God was building a nation from whom his Messiah would come. But Korah and his followers rejected God's plan, and Moses told them what would happen. "And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods" Numbers 16:31-32 (ESV). God was determined to bring Jesus into the world to die for our sins, and nothing would stand in his way. Satan was trying to stop God's plan. This battle was fought for us. Lord, it is amazing what you were willing to do so that we might know you through Jesus. I want you to do whatever is necessary in my life to make sure that I fulfill your plan for my life.

Numbers 16:29-30 (ESV) Originally published 09/14/2015 God sees people who refuse to accept his authority as his enemies, as shown by his judgment to Korah and his followers. "If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up w ith all that belongs to them, and they go down into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the LORD" Numbers 16:29-30 (ESV). I have observed that most of the problems that people have in their lives, relationships, and marriages can be traced to refusal to live as God has commanded. Lord, I want to live in obedience to you, but sometimes I don't recognize that I am doing what I think is best and not what you command me to do. When things do not go as they should, remind me to search my heart, and as I do, reveal to me my   rebellion so that I can submit to your will.

Numbers 16:3-5 (ESV) Originally published 09/12/2015 Moses and Aaron were faithfully obeying God, but Korah and more than 250 people confronted them. "'You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?' When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, 'In the morning the LORD will show who is his, and who holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him'" Numbers 16:3-5 (ESV). This had to be painful to Moses, but he does not argue with them or try to fight them. First, he goes to God (fell on his face). Then God assures Moses that he will take care of this. Lord, serving you is not easy, and many times there is conflict and opposition. Remind me that in times of conflict and criticism that if I obey you, that you will show me what to do, and you will solve the proble...

Numbers 16:3 (ESV) Originally published 09/11/2015 When Miriam and Aaron rebelled against Moses' leadership, Numbers 12:3 says: "Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (ESV). Now in Numbers 16:3, (ESV) Kohath with three friends, many Israelites and 250 leaders "...assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, 'You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'" No matter how much we try to obey God there will always be those who are critical and condemning. Lord, when I am doing and saying what you have directed me to say and do, remind me not to be discouraged by what people might say. Give me satisfaction from your approval.

Numbers 15:37-41 (ESV) Originally published 09/10/2015 "The LORD said to Moses, 'Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God'" Numbers 15:37-41 (ESV). God wanted his people to have a constant reminder of his commands so every waking moment they could look at the blue tassel and be reminded of how they should live. Now, every person who surrenders their lives to the authority of Christ has God present in their minds to guide them to do and think what is righteous and ...