Wednesday, 3/4/2015

"They say a person needs just three things in this world to be happy: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for." ~ Tom Bodett

NUMBERS 32, 33

The Reubenites and Gadites come to Moses and ask to settle in the land in which they currently are camped...instead of crossing into the promised land.

 10The Lord’s anger was aroused that day and he swore this oath: 11‘Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of those who were twenty years old or more when they came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob— 12not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the Lord wholeheartedly.’ ...14“And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the Lord even more angry with Israel. 15If you turn away from following him, he will again leave all this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.” 

50On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the Lord said to Moses, 51“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 

MARK 10:1-31

 13People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Jesus is then confronted by the rich young ruler who asks him what he needs to do to inherit eternal life...through the course of the dialogue Jesus says he must sell everything he owns and give it to the poor and follow.

22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is^e to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

JOURNAL

The texts from both the old and new testament are similar in that God is asking for obedience.  In both scenarios the Israelites and the rich ruler are unwilling to follow.  In the case of the two clans...they are satisfied with where they are.  They see no need to go further, with the rich ruler, he as well is satisfied with this part of his life...why does he need to go any further into obedience.  

Because God is after our heart not trying to satisfy us with things outside of him.  Yet I know that this is my tripping point as well, I listen often to that little dark voice that says, "God wants you to be happy, you deserve more, you have had a tough time and need to get your fair share".  Yet that is not God, God only promises that I will find joy and hope and love when I love him with all my heart...When I am willing to follow no matter where he commands me to go...no matter what he commands me to do.  Because he has given me everything already...his love, his grace, his redemption.  He has set me free from bondage and why would I ever choose to disobey him?

7“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,whose confidence is in him.8They will be like a tree planted by the waterthat sends out its roots by the stream.It does not fear when heat comes;its leaves are always green.It has no worries in a year of droughtand never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)