Growing up as the middle child in a pretty straight-laced family, I was a vehement rule-follower. I wouldn’t dare talk during class, take someone else’s crayon, or cut in the lunch line. What if I got into trouble? What if my parents found out? What if I hurt someone else’s feelings? The stakes just seemed too high to ever strive for anything other than perfect behavior.
But as I got older, I began to notice something. It seemed like the other kids, the rule breakers, were having a whole lot more fun than I was. I started to wonder if I was missing out on something. So somewhere along the way, I became an “in-between” kid. I did my best to give off the perception of a rule-follower and did what was right whenever people were watching. But when all eyes were not on me, I learned to cut corners and do things my own way. However, my shortcuts and little fibs always seemed to catch up with me in the end. I learned that the rules were there for a reason.
As we read about all the different laws and offering requirements God gave to the Israelites, the long list of dos and don’ts can seem pretty overwhelming. But like so many of us, these were people who had seen the rescue, salvation, and miracles of God. Yet here they were, wandering in the wilderness instead of walking into their promise. These instructions for their offerings were put in place to help point them back to God. The Lord knew that the nature of the human heart is deceitful and they would need guidelines for holy living when they entered the promised land. He put these instructions in place for the Israelites, not to put a major cramp on their style but to help them become more like Him. God’s commands are a gift to His people.
“This way you will remember and obey all my commands and be holy to your God.”
—Numbers 15:40
I don’t know about you, but reading through these laws and instructions just makes me appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus that much more. We are called to be holy because God is holy, and Jesus’s sacrificial offering covers every sin, mistake, and offense that prevents us from being set apart.
Lord, help us to not chase after the desires of our own hearts that can so often lead us astray. May our lives be a reflection of who You are and what You have done for us. Amen.
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98 thoughts on "Remembering and Obeying God’s Commands"
We were called to be holy, because God is holy.
So beautifully said ❤️
♥️
Wilderness season raised a different view for me. Wilderness season can draw my heart really close to God, and rid me of my “comfort” to the bare necessity that is HIM. Him and Him alone. Wilderness season could feel like the uncomfortable transition season, and it could be long, so long. But God is after our heart. Is there a “golden calf” popping up during, is there a murmuring and a return temptation? May we try our best to resist the temptation to run backwards to avoid the discomfort of the new. May we not take the process of the wilderness as His judgment or our failure. May we resist the temptation to rehearse the pain of the past, and sever ourselves from our “Egypt” and cut off the “good old days”, God wanted to cut off old sources of control and manipulation. May we resist opportunities to wallo in hopelessness and defeat. May we not believe the enemy’s lies over ourselves that our best days are done. For it’s not over, and the best is yet to come. March forth God’s soldiers for the Promised Land is ahead. Forget not the Lord your God and His goodness. The Lord is good all the time, even in the wilderness. Be blessed dear sisters ❤️.
Thank you, Mercy. Being honest, I confess comfort and fear are gods I tend to follow, similar to the Israelites in Egypt and the wilderness. Lord, help me follow after Jesus. May your love overcome the fears that I’ve inherited from the world.
Abby‘s reflection really resonates with me. I’ve gone through a similar journey, from being a stickler for the rules to realizing the deeper purpose behind God’s commands. Her reminder about Jesus’s sacrifice hits home for me. It’s a powerful motivator to strive for holiness in response to His love.
“Jesus Always” reading today I thought fit in with just what Jesus did for us.
“I am able to keep your from stumbling. I know how weak you are, how easily you would lose your footing if I were not holding onto you. You are growing in grace, but complete freedom from sin will not be possible as long as you live in this fallen world. So you need My help continually.
I am able to present you faultless – blameless, perfect, unblemished – before the Presence of My Glory because I have clothed you with garments of salvation and arrayed you in a robe of righteousness. I want you to wear these royal raiments with confidence. You are absolutely secure because it is My righteousness that saves you, not yours.
Exceeding Joy is for you and for Me. I delight in you now, but this Joy will be immeasurably magnified when you join Me in Glory. the jubilation you will experience in heaven is indescribable – far beyond any pleasure you could know in this world. Nothing can rob you of this glorious inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” (Sarah Young)
Such a message of love and hope.
Molly – Amen to your comment.
Taylor – praise the good news for your dad.
I have to say, I hesitate to comment as I read, because each time I do, I have to return to the reading and enter again. I like the fact that you can reply but this part is frustrating. Bless you all and have a glorious day! Saved by GRACE!
Same, almost don’t want to reply because I have to exit and come back…but finally it does take me back to the right spot now.
Also…glad you shared your thoughts!
Love this excerpt!! Thank you ❤️
Still feeding off what @Lindsey mentioned yesterday “if God (holy and perfect) considers His own actions, how much more should I (sinner) consider my own? Lord we thank you for your “guidelines” and “example” and we pray to become MORE like you! We thank you for your forgiveness and mercy so that we too can be set apart!!! Happy Tuesday She’s ! ☮️❤️ to you all!!!
I love this. Couldn’t have said it better myself, Allison!
I appreciated this quote from the reading. “These instructions for their offerings were put in place to help point them back to God…He put these instructions in place for the Israelites, not to put a major cramp on their style but to help them become more like Him. God’s commands are a gift to His people.” I am truly
thankful for God’s provision of a sacrifice then, and now through Jesus!
Good morning! I don’t have time this morning to read through all the comments but will come back later to do so, don’t want to miss any praises or prayer requests!
I’ve read this account so many times, but it just really stood out to me this morning that the 40 years in the wilderness was determined because it was one year for every day they were scouting out the land. Numbers 14:34 (actually this was from yesterday’s reading – catching up today). It also was made long enough so that all the guilty parties would die in the wilderness. The sad part is, the children suffered the consequences of the parents sin. What a great reminder that our sin not only effects us, but others as well.
In spite of all their disobedient history, God forgave them and still called Himself their God. (Numbers 15:41) What a loving and merciful God we serve!
Happy Tuesday – have a blessed day!
So many great comments! Thought provoking! I think for me, I’m so grateful for Jesus because I am a rule follower and trying to do all of these rules would have made me so anxious. Did I do this right? Is this really the best for the Lord, and then the unintentional sin….i would be questioning myself continually! Praise God that we have Jesus! He makes us holy! He sets us apart. Jesus covers it all! I am a rule follower but I’ve been set free by Christ! I can rest and relax in His presence because I could never make myself good enough!
Israel is an “if” people with a “when” God. What’s more, God knew this as this is the state of every human heart.
But God.
He NEVER stops making a way, so deep is the longing for relationship and intimacy.
Lord, help me to lay down my “ifs” and expectantly wait for your “when.”
LOVE this!!!! Amen!!!
Amen! ❤️
Good morning,
I was a week behind with the readings but now just one day!!
I’m having a very difficult time reading most of the comments (because I can’t get to nearly as many as the webpage says I’ll find) but have seen a few that indicate people are struggling as much as me….I agree that we should not grumble but I do hope the SRT Tech team will be able to work out the bugs.
I’m also having a difficult time with the style and size of font and headed over to HRT this morning (was surprised it hadn’t changed) to read the Devo…my eyes thanked me!
Please pray for me to live out the lessons from “Mama’s Knees” song (even in times when no children in my home…. always something / someone to pray for…always ‘battles to be fought ‘ on this side of Heaven).
@TINA (yesterday) I also have always had an unclear picture of what daily life and environment must have been like…. appreciated all the comments and responses
Praying for you. HRT hasn’t changed and the font size was great there for my eyes too:)
AMEN
Today I just have a question. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. In Numbers 15:32-36 a man is stoned to death for gathering wood on the Sabbath. What do you think God thinks about our Sabbath activities today? Are we supposed to be observing a strict Sabbath today?
Thanks for a great conversation starter, Kris!
R. C. Sproul reminds us that God ordained the Sabbath at creation so we should consider it important to our society.
I do my best to honor the Sabbath by resting from regular chores and only shop if absolutely necessary to grab something quickly – no big shopping trips. However, we are retired so I am in a place to accommodate my desire to honor God by honoring His Sabbath.
I found a great article on Crosswalk.
Here is a snippet:
“Going to church can be hard for young families, but it’s an important way to honor God and pass our faith on to our kids. What if we simplified Sunday by making church our first priority and letting go of the rest? Sometimes a few simple changes to how we approach our tasks during the week can free up more time on Sunday to rest or enjoy our families. Consider these ideas:
Run errands on your way home from work during the week instead of on the weekend.
Spend 15 minutes a day cleaning and maintaining your home, so you can rest more on Sunday.
Break down large tasks, like cleaning out the garage, into 4 or 5 mini-tasks that can be done during the week.
Plan your work week on Friday afternoon instead of on Sunday evening.
Rest from cooking on Sunday. Restaurants, fast food drive-thrus, and even grocery store takeout or frozen food can help you.
When we set aside Sundays for rest and worship, we follow the healthy rhythm God established for us, and we can start a new week on Monday refreshed instead of exhausted. If your job requires you to work on Sunday, ask the Lord for creativity and discipline to set aside another Sabbath time during your week.
Whether our Sabbath is Sunday or another day, we can trust God to bless our time of rest and make us effective when we return to work.”
This is copied from BibleProject: As followers of Jesus, God does not expect us to live by Israel’s laws. However, the wisdom of these laws remains, and the law of the Sabbath is rich with significance for us today. Sabbath is not a commandment we are bound to; it’s a promise we’re invited to enjoy.
Sabbath rest is an invitation to practice for eternity in God’s presence. It is an act of regular and intentional trust of God’s rule on Earth. We shabbat in order to nuakh—when we stop working, we can truly rest in God’s presence. When we practice this purposeful pause, we make room for God to take up residence in our individual lives and communities. And when we do this, we take part in the new creation story, setting the stage for God to make his dwelling place once again on Earth.
Just one final thought on this: I do believe that God would love for us to honor Him one day a week, to abstain from work, focus more on Him one day. I know in our society we are so driven to strive, compete, earn, gain… and all for what? to leave it all behind? I do not think we will necessarily be judged or condemned if we have a job that requires us to work on a Sunday, but we really should give our minds and bodies rest, and give Him honor. It’s a gift we’ve been given to enjoy, its a health benefit for us, it’s not meant to be restrictive. I’ve really tried to have a Sabbath day once a week, to do minimal chores, to spend more time in the Word, etc. and it’s really nice. Really nice.
I try to do nothing on Sundays and rest up for the week rather than prepare for it.
❤
Thank you CEE GEE for the practical advice. I really love this❤️.
❤
Such good points & questions! I do make a point to rest up on Sundays, as CAROLINE BRIDGES said, whenever possible. Life has thrown some curveballs lately and I’m not always in charge of my time. But – back before I understood I needed to respect the Sabbath, I clearly remember my Mom calling one Sunday afternoon and casually asking what I was doing. “Starting another load of laundry” … what? she said, You’re doing laundry on Sunday?!
Not anymore …
❤
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice.
As I read about all those sacrifices… I am so thankful that because of MY Jesus (MARI V), they are not required anymore! And while they are not required now, He wants us to be obedient, sweet sisters. He loves us and died for all our intentional and unintentional (but are they really?) sins.
Have a blessed day, sweet friends!
Today”s study reminds me of the song by Elevation Worship “Mercy.” We don’t deserve it, thank you Lord for your Mercy!
The author of today’s devo reminded me of myself growing up, knowing that I should be a good girl, and trying, yet slowing testing the “fun” side out. It always, always led to disaster. I always say I feel like my twenties were the ultimate disaster of bad choices and consequences. The funny thing is I thought I was better than most, so that made me good enough!
But we know it doesn’t work that way…We all, no matter how “good” has to atone for our sins, and receive Jesus and make him not only our Saviour, but LORD OF OUR LIFE! Sometimes it’s not as easy to see the MERCY of God through the little things and the crucial need for our sins forgiven until they snowball into a mess and you finally are left with the consequences of your choices, if that makes since.
When you hit your bottom, then you see the NEED of Jesus and his amazing sacrifice for all, for me.
Amen❤️
Amen ❤️ seeing the need of Him changes everything.
Today’s notes…
1 Peter 1:15-16 But as the One who called you is Holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
*hold me accountable Father!! Where You are is holy ground, help me respect and honor that!! Let me live as You alone have called me to!! No compromises!! Amen.
Leviticus 20:26 You are to be holy to Me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be Mine.
*set apart, holy and Yours. May I remember and choose You and Your Way above ALL else!!! Amen.
Numbers 15:32-41
*Sabbath Violation. SUCH a sobering reminder that God means and ACTS on what He asks of us, promises and says!!! Our God is a FAITHFUL God and He DOES what He says!!! Both in His judgment and in His blessings!! May we remember this, and obey & believe without doubting!! Amen.
**Tassels. Love the physical and tangible representation of what they mean: having God present and with us in whatever we are doing, thinking & saying. It brings in a much higher accountability!!! May we remember and obey Him in ALL we do!! Amen.
Have a BLESSED a day dear She’s!! ❤️
No compromises, Amen! Hope you are doing well Emily!? And your mom is all healed up!?
I am doing GREAT spiritually, not so great physically.
My Mum is doing AMAZING!!! Her wrist is all healed up and she is back to doing everything she was before her fall/surgery!! Quite the miraculous and quick recovery!!!
GLORY to God for ALL of it, the difficult along with the good!! ❤️
I’m sorry to hear that! I love that we started a chronic pain group at my church because it helps strengthen and encourage all of us, and to be able to pray for each other, I had it this morning. It’s just nice that other people understand. Have you ever heard of Kimberley Rae? She has some books that deal with chronic pain. We studied the first one in class and it was good called “Why doesn’t God Fix It.” And I started the second one last night called “You are sick not them” (I think), but the first chapter is on GUILT, of feeling guilty of the weight you put on your caregivers. I will pray for you and your condition to improve my friend!!
I couldn’t find my comment from yesterday, so am posting it here today..
Numbers 14:6-10 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!”
10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.
*I love the reminder here.. to obey, believe and trust!! To see with God’s eyes!! To know like David, that God is way bigger than Goliath and that He WILL deliver what He promises, no matter how far-fetched or impossible it may seem, God fulfills and delivers!!!
**I also love how it points out that the Glory of God comes and shuts up the naysayers!!! This is powerful!! ..and a much needed reminder, that all we need do is believe and obey God and nothing may rise against us!!! Wow!! God, please help me to be like Caleb and Joshua, to see You, to bring a good report, to believe and to trust You above all things!! Let nothing deter me from what You would have me do/say!! Amen.
***I also love the reminder that there are consequences, both good & bad, for our actions!! For me this brings in accountability, a much higher accountability!! Help me Lord in this!! Amen.
This is my first time commenting since the website changed and one of the first days I am reading the Numbers study. A lot going on over here, but I am glad to gather with you all <3 Praise God for our Great High Priest (Jesus) who covers and forgives all our sins so we can be in right standing with the Father whether we intentionally or unintentionally sin. I am thankful for His mercy and unending faithfulness.
Little update my dad's biopsy came back with NO cancer! Praise God! Lifting you ladies up in prayer today <3
Rejoicing with you!!
Thank You Father!!
❤️ praise Him!
Great news, Taylor
Praise the Lord for the good news ❤️
What a weight that has been lifted for you that God’s carrying for you. Amen.
I agree @Searching, I returned to the unintentional sin. They had to sacrifice even when they did not intend to sin. Christ sacrifice covers that for me as well, but how often do I take the time to pause and confess it or do I usually push past saying, “opps I didn’t mean to do that.”
The conclusion that she came to about seeing all the laws and commandments and being thankful that Jesus covered that all for us was the exact thought I was having while reading. Especially about the unintentional sin. The unknowing sin. Yikes. What a scary thought! Thank you Jesus for covering it all and giving us the Holy Spirit for guidance.
My app still won’t open. And I can only see a couple of comments on the website.
Same here. Really frustrating.I miss the online community in the app.
Yes me too!
Hi Peggy! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Some things that might help with your app…
Take off Wi-Fi (if on).
“Force quit” app. (If you have another device… “force quit” on both devices) then log out and then turn off your device(s) for five full minutes. Then turn back on and try to get in again.
Those were some things that we suggested when people were having trouble with the WW app. It might not work here, but it might. ❤️
I too agree. Not all the comments show up on the web and my app won’t open either. I sure hope they get the bugs worked out soon.
Hi Jodi! Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon.
Hi Kimberly! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Amen
One thing I found interesting in today’s reading is the fact that there is one correct God-directed way for worship or sacrifice. For the chosen people AND the alien who resides with you. “The same law and the same ordinance will apply to both…”
Also as others have already mentioned – extremely grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice to cover my sin!
Yes! He is a God of order and we should follow with obedience! We will never get it right and perfect, but through sanctification it is a beautiful growing process!! Thank you Jesus!
❤️
The word unintentional (vs 22-29) got my attention this morning, and also presumptuously/defiantly (vs 30-31) NKJV.
How quick I/we can be to say, “oops! Sorry, it was an accident” or “sorry, I didn’t mean it.” Really? Truly? Or was I careless in my words/actions? Or did I say/do something intentionally (presumptuously/defiantly), thinking I would get a pass on being unkind, irresponsible or ignoring a rule I didn’t agree with? Reminded of a previous study where devo and sisters commented that if you’re going to get caught, get caught doing something good.
Lord, please forgive my haste and disregard of caution, kindness and obedience in this hurry up world. May I take the time to pray, to seek Your guidance and wisdom ahead of my words and actions.
Love these highlighted words!! THANK YOU for sharing them!! SO good!!!
That’s so good! Thanks Searching!
Yes!!
Amen to your prayer! Great reflection as always! ❤
❤️
Amen with all! So grateful for God’s grace and mercy. Praying that I always work to send up a pleasing aroma to God.
This morning I am traveling “back home” for a few days for annual doctor appointments and tests. Please pray for me for safety, peace, and good results. Happy Tuesday all ❤️
Praying for safe travels and good reports
“God’s commands are a gift to His people.”
Indeed, how else would they/we know what is expected of us! Also how much we owe Jesus for doing for us.
Praying for your requests ❤️
Grr…did not mean to did to post here
Praying!
Praying for a great day all around!
Thank you Lord!
“Yet here they were, wandering in the wilderness instead of walking into their promise.” – ABBY FLYNN
… when you enter the land I am giving you to settle in. (v.2)
… after you enter the land where I am bringing you. (v.17)
…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 (v.41)
–
Though Israel walked away, God still led them. Though Israel sinned, God stayed near and gave them new instructions. Though Israel disobeyed God’s commandments, God kept His promises. He leads. He is near. He keeps His promises.
–
Dear Father,
Thank You for leading us, even when we stray.
Thank You for being near, even when we sin.
Thank You for keeping Your promises, even when we disobey.
May we remember Jesus’ perfect sacrifice.
May we respond with awe, gratitude, and obedience.
May we set our minds on Your heavenly promises.
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN.
Amen❣️
❤️amen
Amen!!
Amen and Amen..thank you God!
Amen!❤️
Amen, as usual! You chose the quote that stood out to me in the devo. ❤
Julia as I read your prayer this morning, I used “I” instead of plural. Thank you so much for your daily prayers!
I have never thought of the forty years in the wilderness as being anything other than just that. You know, the people moving, going around in circles trying to get to the promised land. I had never thought that they would have portable property, ie their livestock, which by all accounts in the Numbers reading, must have been vast, which then means that the places they roamed through must have been a great space for both people and livestock to camp, either overnight or a few days..
I had always thought it was just the people, but clearly not with the offerings that will have to be made in atonement for, or freewill to fulfill a vow, or at appointed festivals!
If the people moved around, where did they get the grain? Or wine? Did they stop long enough to grow the grain and grapes?
As one who cooks, professionally, I don’t make wine, but I do know the process is not as simple as treading the grapes and collecting the juice and leaving it to ferment.. or maybe back then it was. Talking of treading the grapes, how clean were their feet when they did this?
The sentence ‘ pleasing aroma to the Lord’ in this chapter alone appears a few times more than a few..
OMG, my head is spinning with all this new information/revelation!
I mean, with the mention of the various livestock, ox, ram, lamb, goat, they actually weren’t ‘poor’ folk, were they?
I’m thinking, how often did they have to do this here offering? And would they have been entering the promised land with grapevines, seeds, grains etc to start the process of growing and self sufficiency.
I have camped a few times, I could probably count on one hand and still have a few fingers free, but my point is, it was not to my liking, from the setting up to putting things in relevant places, children running around causing ‘wonderful’ mayhem, no siree, and this was in times of modern technology! I cannot begin to imagine life back then.. with your worldly goods, family, livestock on foot..
All I can say is.. boy am I glad I was born in these times..( AD)
And
THANK YOU JESUS..
Thank you, that by your sacrifice, I do not have to do as the people of old did, though I am still ‘to make a pleasing aroma’ to the Lord, in the way I live, my actions, my talk, my worship, my work. In all these things I am to be holy as the Lord is holy. I am to live as He would like me to live, as a reflection of who He is, and for Him.
AMEN.
I have waffled more than normal, oooops, sorry!
Happy Tuesday dear hearts, no waffling there, straight from my heart..❤️
Amen and amen, Tina! May we be like a pleasing aroma to the Lord!
(I also wonder where they got their food…)
Amen, TINA ❤️ I loved every waffling word, dear sister! Much to ponder from your musings, thank you.
Verses 2 and 18 say, “When you enter the land I am giving you to settle in” so the grain and wine may not have been offered until later.
In Joshua’s recounting of Israel’s history, he says, “I gave you a land you did not labor for, and cities you did not build, though you live in them; you are eating from vineyards and olive groves you did not plant'” (Jos. 24:13)
Thank you Kelly. There was so much to ponder this morning. Lol.
I did read the Numbers verse a few times.. then BINGO I did see that it said “..when you enter the land..”
But, thankful for the Joshua verse.. helps make sense of my thoughts..❤️
TINA – I love your thought provoking questions!
Love all these ponderings! And YOU!
Same (camping)! My husband’s schedule was so wonky… and so guess who got to go to Boy Scout camp with her two boys… me! Blek! I know some people love camping, but I don’t!
And… I also had never thought about all the livestock, flour and oil that had to be toted around by the travelers. I have a new appreciation for those sacrifices.
❤
All good things to ponder and praise God for!!!
Right in line with you on all these points, Tina.
Thanks for helping me sort thru this.
Numbers 15:1 “The Lord instructed Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land I am giving you to settle in”… This comes right after Numbers 14, when the Israelites are killed because of their unbelief. When God says they despise Him and don’t trust Him. And when He forgives them. And His forgiveness is complete. They will still have to deal with the consequences of their unbelief, but there are no hard feelings left. He will still bring them into the land and keep His promises. That’s how I have been forgiven. He doesn’t even remember my sin anymore. How merciful is our God!
Good to see you, Arina! And yes, I noticed the same things this morning. He forgives and keeps His promises.
Hi! Good to “see” you this morning!