Mon.’s Devo - Growing in Faith

Read: Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4 When the people heard the evil report of the spies they were very upset. They even toyed with the idea of going back to Egypt. They talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb since they were the only ones encouraging them to take the land. *** It is true that whenever we come up against a hiccup in the plan, we look for a way out or someone to blame. We usually end up blaming God, who is the only one who can help us around the stumbling block. *** The people had seen the power of God to deliver them from the Egyptians, and they had seen God part the Red Sea when there seemed no way of escape, and yet they had not learned from them. Every trial is a test. As we pass the test, we go to the next level. The test on the next level will be harder than the one on the lower level. Every time we have to have more faith which causes our faith to grow. Trials are our spiritual exercises. The more our faith grows, the greater things the Lord can trust us with. *** The children of Israel had not learned to fear the Lord. He struck down the spies that brought the evil report with a plague - the very thing he used against Egypt. Joshua and Caleb did not die with the plague because they trusted God. *** The people were sentenced to die in the wilderness and were given one year for every day they walked in the land. For forty years they would pay for refusing to see God’s goodness and believe his promise. Every day we are given a choice whether to see God’s goodness or complain about what is not going our way. They could have been in the promised land 40 years sooner if they had faith and chosen well. *** God gave Moses specific instructions about their sacrifices. When they brought an animal they must also give flour, olive oil and wine. It was the aroma that was pleasing to the Lord. God is looking for our sacrifice of our bodies, our anointing, our praise, and our spirit that he has made holy. When we give him all of these, it is a sweet aroma to him. *** In Mark, Peter was lurking in the background listening to the trial going on in the high priest’s house. He sat with the guards, hoping to blend in. He heard the false testimonies. When Jesus was asked to rebuttal, he remained silent until the high priest asked him if he was the Messiah. He answered “I AM and you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” *** That got him a “guilty” sentence of death. They blindfolded him, slapped him and beat him with their fists. They mocked him and finally took him away. I wonder if they had been able to see Jesus’ eyes if they would have had the courage to slap him. *** Peter was exposed as being a disciple of Jesus by one of the servant girls, but denied it three times. When he heard the rooster crowing, he remembered what Jesus had said and broke down crying. We are not as strong as we think we are on our own. Peter had been so bold as to cut the man’s ear off when Jesus was there with him and he was surrounded by his friends, but by himself, he was scared and weak. We need Jesus and we need each other for support and strength. We were not meant to do this life alone. *** Lord, may we accept the help of others and especially from you. May we see your goodness every day in every trial. May we pass the test of faith.