Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

7 March 2024

Reading From Numbers 31-32

“Then they came up to him and said, ‘We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children. But we will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance. We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.’”

–Numbers 32:16-19

     Two tribes, the Reubenites and the Gadites had vast flocks and herds.  When they approached Canaan, they saw that the land on the east side of the Jordan was good pasture for grazing.  Reuben and Gad wanted to settle there, but Moses warned them that they must help the rest of Israel conquer the Promised Land and not to shrink back.  They needed to move forward in courage and faith, unlike their forefathers.  The tribes agreed, and committed to standing together with their brothers and sisters in pursuing what God had for them as a nation.

     The people of God need to focus on what brings us together.  The Lord Jesus has given us the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to love Him, love others, love ourselves and make disciples of all nations.  Rather than tearing each other apart or losing our way in pursuing selfish ambition, we should set our sights on what is important.  What does God want us to do?  We must be about our Father’s business.  In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

“Lord, bring unity to Your Body.  Fill us with Your love and a renewed sense of purpose.  I pray that we will work together instead of judging and criticizing one another.  Remove selfish ambition from our hearts.  Help us to put others needs before our own.  Amen.”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

–Hebrews 12:1-3