Justin Houtz

Numbers 32, Psalm 77, Isaiah 24, 1 John 2

DateVersionReading Plan
@May 23, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Numbers 32

Numbers 32:14–15 (ESV) 14 And behold, you have risen in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to increase still more the fierce anger of the LORD against Israel! 15 For if you turn away from following him, he will again abandon them in the wilderness, and you will destroy all this people.”

The tribes of Reuben and Gad sought to settle on the east side of the Jordan because it was a place for their great number of livestock. However, Moses saw this as an act of rebellion against conquering the land across the Jordan, accusing them of being like their fathers who spied out the land and gave a bad report. Moses warned them that their actions would result in the Lord abandoning His people, comparing the consequence of their insolence to that of the previous rebellious generation. By this, Moses reminded them (and us) of what awaits those who possess a heart of defiance and distrust in the Lord.

Psalm 77

Psalm 77:11–12 (ESV) 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

The psalmist begins in lamentation but then turns a corner and declares that he will remember the deeds of the LORD and his wonders of old. In times of deep distress, we must look to the mighty works of our Lord and be reminded of His goodness. God fulfills every promise and and we can rest in meditation knowing that He will bring to completion everything upon which He sets His hand.

Isaiah 24

Isaiah 24:17–18 (ESV) 17 Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth! 18 He who flees at the sound of the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.

The wicked flee at the sound of the terror and fall into a pit, then climb out of the pit only to fall in the snare. As Matthew Henry makes clear, “evil pursues sinners”. It clings to them and they cannot be freed by their own effort. Only in Christ is this achieved, the One who has made us clean by His blood. It is when we realize our complete inability for self-cleansing and self-renewal do we collapse into the One in whom it is provided.

1 John 2

1 John 2:15–17 (ESV) 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

John gives an exhortation to not love the world which is passing away with its desires but rather to do the will of God. This is a particularly impactful admonition in this season as I struggle with cares of the world. What a helpful cue to keep my focus on the Lord and be refreshed in the truth that those who do His will abide forever.

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