From: March 8, 2026
“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat!’” (Numbers 11:4 ESV).
In the book of Numbers, Moses described how a group within the camp—called the “rabble”—began to crave the foods of Egypt and stirred dissatisfaction among the people. This “rabble” was likely the same “mixed multitude” that had left Egypt with Israel (Ex. 12:38), a group of non-Israelites who had joined the exodus but were less committed to the covenant with the LORD. Their craving was not merely about food; it revealed a deeper longing for the comforts of the life they had left behind in Egypt. And their complaining spread quickly: what began with the rabble soon became the cry of all Israel. The narrative illustrated how discontent can spread like a spiritual contagion. Instead of remembering God’s mighty deliverance and His daily provision of manna, the people began to romanticize Egypt, the very place of their former slavery. This temptation to “go back to Egypt” became a recurring metaphor throughout Scripture for the danger of longing for the old life instead of trusting God’s present provision.
We recognize that the same pattern can happen among us today. Grumbling often begins with a small voice of dissatisfaction, but if we listen to it long enough, it can infect our hearts and influence others around us. Like Israel, we may even begin to long for “Egypt,” forgetting the bondage that once enslaved us. Instead of joining the chorus of complaint, we must remember God’s faithfulness and give thanks for His daily provision. When dissatisfaction whispers for us to follow worldly ways and shortcuts, we must reject that lie and cling to the freedom He has given us. Let us guard our hearts and encourage one another so that we do not allow grumbling and ingratitude to grow.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for delivering us from the bondage of sin and bringing us into new life through Christ. Forgive us when we grow discontent and forget Your faithful provision. Guard our hearts from the spread of complaining and help us encourage one another to remain grateful and faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 8, 2025
“And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her” (Mark 14:9 ESV).
On the Wednesday of Passion Week, Jesus and His disciples took a day of rest a short distance from Jerusalem in a town called Bethany. While eating a meal at Simon the leper’s house, a woman anointed Jesus’ head with an expensive perfume worth a year’s wages. This was an incredible gift, so costly that some were offended by its extravagance. Yet, Jesus rebuked them and commended the woman for her gift. Her deed has been remembered to this day, just as Jesus said.
This story reminds me of a line from a poem by C. T. Studd:
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
What are your plans for today? Have you considered turning your plans and your day over to Jesus? What extravagant thing might you give Jesus today?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we give You this day. We do have plans and obligations, but we ask You to lead us. Show us where we can express our extravagant love for Your Son today. Empower us by Your Spirit to be salt and light in this world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 8, 2024
“Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp” (Numbers 10:2 ESV).
The LORD instructed Moses to have two silver trumpets made. They were to have a two-fold purpose, namely, for calling the congregation and directing the movement of the same.
Specifically, the trumpets were to be used to …
…call the whole congregation to gather at the Tabernacle,
…call the elders to gather to Moses,
…sound the advance to break camp,
…signal the time to gather to camp
…sound the alarm for war,
…and to celebrate a day of gladness for holiday feasts and sacrifices.
The LORD told the prophet Isaiah to write “Lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression” (Isa. 58:1). This is the symbol of the Gospel. For we are to sound the Gospel trumpet abroad, so that every nation hears, and every believer is called to gather to the Lord Jesus, our King and Savior. So let us make a sure sound (cf. 1 Cor. 14:8).
For one Day, “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16). And on that Day, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye… the last trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:52).
🎶”When the trumpet shall sound, what a day that will be, there with Jesus my Lord, I forever shall be.”🎶
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us to sound the Gospel trumpet until that Day when Jesus returns and the last trumpet sounds. Help us to make a sure sound as we call people to follow Jesus. O what joy it is to hearken to the sound of Your trumpet. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 8, 2023
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!'” (Numbers 11:23 NLT).
When Moses expressed doubt that God could keep them in meat for a month, God gave him a stern reply, “Has my arm lost its power?” Moses probably would have kept his doubts to himself, if God would have offered to make a meat delivery without asking him to announce it. But God wanted Moses to tell those grumbling Israelites that meat for a month was on the way.
Having to stand up in front of those growling stomachs and promise that God would provide was overwhelming to Moses.
It’s one thing to believe God’s Word and trust in His power for yourself. But when you have to stand up in front of a bunch of doubters and declare your faith… Well, that connects your credibility to God’s! And God still does this. He still asks His people to proclaim His promises and to believe that His “arm” is as powerful as ever.
The question is not whether God still does miracles. The question is who will trust God enough, so that they are willing to stand up and proclaim it!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are our provision and Provider. You have made us and You sustain us. Without You we are nothing. Forgive us when we doubt Your care and provision. We will announce Your faithfulness to the nations! Thank You for all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.