Big Mistake, Bigger Barns - Day 100 Month 4-10 Week 15-2
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
Numbers 13:25-14:19 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2013%3A25-14%3A19&version=NASB1995
Psalm 79 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2079&version=NASB1995
Jeremiah 2:29-37 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%202%3A29-37&version=NASB1995
Luke 12:1-34 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012%3A1-34&version=NASB1995
Big Mistake, Bigger Barns
1. In Numbers, we read that the spies who went to the promised land came back and gave a bad report—a report that they should not attack because the people were fortified and strong, and also, there were giants. Even though God had brought them miraculously out of Egypt, they thought they would just go to the promised land to die. That was, except for two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua. Caleb said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”
The majority effectively turned the camp against fighting, even though Caleb and Joshua reminded them “If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us...” The people wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua, and then God showed up. God was not happy with the Israelites and suggested taking them all out and making a new people of Moses. Then Moses prayed. A part of Moses' prayer has often been repeated. It spoke about some of God’s attributes: “The LORD is slow to anger”, “Abundant in lovingkindness”, “Forgiving iniquity and transgression”. Then he stated that God would “by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations.” Moses, the great leader that he is, approached God and asked forgiveness on behalf of the people. Though Moses would not need to remind God, I’m sure it was to remind the people that they need to turn their ways back to God. I think a lesson for us in this is to remember what God has done in the past for us and to look forward with those things in mind.
I mentioned, a number of posts ago, that I need my truck either repaired or replaced. I knew God would provide a solution because that’s what He’s done in the past. When I lost my job while we owned the B&B, we never missed a bill or mortgage payment. God provided. Last year when I needed to find money for repairs, debt and immediate mower replacement, the Lord provided. A call from Sun Life about a savings plan that I was not aware of covered even a little more than what I needed. Typical of me, I was silently hoping for the same kind of answer for the truck so I started looking online for used vehicles. I told a friend about my dilemma with the truck and the friend asked me if I tried “______ garage.” He said they do bodywork and mechanics. With a sad face (I really wanted a new truck), I called them. I got the truck back last Thursday and it’s good for another two years. In addition, it cost much less to repair than originally estimated. I knew God would provide a solution and He did. Of course, with the price of fuel right now, and not knowing if fuel will come back down in price, maybe a new gas powered vehicle would have been a bad solution. I guess we will find out.
2. In Luke we read a parable of a rich man. A quick synopsis: the rich man was doing very well with his crops. He had no place to store his abundances so he decided to tear down his old barns and build bigger barns to hold the extra so he could retire and take it easy. The man died with all the stuff he had acquired and not shared with those in need.
I have dreams. When Sylvia and I decided to retire to Nova Scotia, I designed the house I wanted. It was awesome. There was room for everything and because it was a bungalow, it would be the last house we’d ever need. I took the plans and sent them to my son Alex who has a 3D printer. He built the house for me. It’s about 3” wide by about an inch high. When we moved into the house we live in now, a 4 level side split, there was no garage so I designed a new garage and workshop that would have space for our RV, tractor, two vehicles and a large workshop. It remains in the form of diagrams. God doesn’t care about those things and I need to be grateful for the abundance of provisions He’s already given us. We don’t need a fancy house or a big garage! We have food on our table and a place to lay our heads in safety.
Jesus said to his disciples, after telling them the parable, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life , as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on…” I think what Jesus is telling us is to do the things He’s asking of us and let Him look after the rest. If you have excess, give it away. You don’t need it, because when you have needs, He will provide. So what are the two greatest commandments? You should know them by now……..go and do those and let God look after the rest! He’s faithful. Our lives are a living testimony of God’s goodness.
Have a great day!
Steve
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