March 16

Reading: Numbers 13 & 14:1-19

In Numbers 14:1 the Word tells us, “so all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night”. There was a distinct and sad reason for the mourning of the people. God was not going to make all their problems just disappear and grant them an easy life. The attitude of resentment towards God permeated their lives and flowed over into their emotions. The people had given in to fear and unbelief which turned in to mourning and they allowed themselves to be controlled by their unreliable emotions instead of a completely reliable loving God. It is impossible to please God without faith, and the experiences of our lives provide us distinct opportunities to exercise our faith. As we experience pleasures and pain in this life God desires for us to cherish Him above all our pleasures and to trust Him fully in our pain. Satan wants us to idolize our pleasures and curse God for our pain. Our faith allows us to choose the former instead of the latter.

Prayer: Thank you God for never changing. Thank you for being all that I need. Please surround me with your presence as I move through the highs and lows of this life. I want to experience the fullness of joy in your presence.

Matt LaValliere, Executive Pastor