March 17

Numbers 26:1-51, Luke 2:36-52, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 11:15

Pray: Oh Father, “That your beloved ones may be delivered, give us salvation by your right hand and answer us!” Lord, You alone are our security and our defense. May we trust in Your unfailing love and faithfulness in our lives today. Amen.

Read: There were 601,730 people in Israel over 20 years of age not including teens and children. Amazing to think that this enormous group of people wandered around in the desert for 40 years. It’s no wonder the Lord had to set up the laws for living. I have to remind myself that these laws were for the good of the people. We have to remember today that the laws that God has established are not only a blessing to us but also for our good and for our well-being in living together as His Holy people.

Edify: We get a rare glimpse in Luke today of Jesus as a boy. There are a few things that we can gather about His childhood that are truly significant. The first is that even as a child, Jesus’ mind was on His heavenly Father. He wanted to be in His Father’s house. It is also powerful that even as a child He amazed the religious leaders with His understanding and answers to their questions. But what I believe is extremely encouraging is that this passage ends with saying “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Jesus being like us as a man had to grow in His relationship just like you and I. He had to read the law, He had to grow and love and care just like us. I am so thankful we have a Lord that we can relate to and learn from.

Practice: The reading in Proverbs this morning gives us a very practical practice “He who puts up security for a stranger will suffer harm, and he who hates striking hands in a pledge is secure." In other words, don’t be quick to make a deal. Especially if it is uncertain whom it is with or what it is about.