READING: Numbers 8-10, Mark 7:14-37
As I look back at the decades of my Christian walk, I can think of many, many times when I wish I had read – and followed – Moses’ words to the unclean men we read about in today’s Old Testament passage. They wanted to observe the Passover, but they were unclean because they had come into contact with a human corpse. Sensitive to their concern and wanting to guide them properly, Moses responded to their request with these words: “Wait here until I hear what the Lord commands for you” (Num 9:10).
So many times, I wish I had taken no steps before seeking the Lord’s instruction! I’m generally impatient, and too often I’ve stepped first and then asked the Lord to bless my steps. And, I have sometimes made some decisions and simply sought a biblical text to support my conclusions – not truly listening to the Lord’s Word so I might hear Him above everything else. I can only wonder how many false steps I could have avoided (and helped others avoid as I shepherded them as pastor) had I just said, “Let’s not decide yet; let’s seek the Lord until we have clarity from Him.”
My prayer today is that I’ll remember these words no matter what I face.
PRAYER: “God, slow me down and lead me to listen before acting.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: With your decisions today, always ask the Lord what He wants.
TOMORROW’S READING: Numbers 11-13, Mark 8:1-9:1