Tues., 5/12/15 Devotion (Num. 21:4b-5a)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 21:4b & 5a, where we read these words:

" . . . and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses . . . "

The natural reaction of people walking in the flesh (and not the Spirit) is to lash out at God and His church leaders--especially when they (the grum-blers) are really discouraged or downhearted. This always happens--even among Christians--when faith (and its resultant humility and repentance) is not being exercised. Sometimes we are very sophisticated in our "speaking against God"; and instead of it taking overt forms of expression, it is the at-titude and verbiage of our hearts.

Let all the faithful church be careful to ascribe blame to ourselves and other sinners alone; and always to believe and assert (in earnest) the absolute righteousness and perfection of God. The Lord may send troubles our way--but instead of grumbling about them, let us seek to grow by and through them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ." --James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]