I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     After hearing the report of the spies sent into the land of Canaan the Israelites began grumbling against Moses and plotting to choose a leader to take them back to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb attempted to convince the people that the Lord would be with them if they followed His command and went into the land of Canaan. They proclaimed to the people that God would defeat the residents of that land for them. Rather than listen to them the people talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting bringing a halt to the plans for rebellion.
     God told Moses and Aaron to lead the people back into the wilderness, that every one of the people who had been counted in the census as twenty years old or older and had grumbled against God’s instruction to invade would die in the wilderness. God promised to lead their children into the land He had promised to them. The men Moses had sent to explore the land who had returned and caused the people to grumble against Moses were struck down and died. Of those Moses had sent to explore the land only Joshua and Caleb survived.
     The morning after these events the people decided that now they were ready to invade the land. Moses told them not to go, because God was not with them. Despite this warning and the fact that neither Moses nor the Ark of the Covenant went with them, the invaded the land. The people of the land defeated them soundly and drove them back out. There is an important lesson for us in this passage. It has to do with the fact that some of God’s calls to us expire. Sometimes there is a window of opportunity that will close if we do not act within it. We need to be aware of when God tells us that we did not respond to His call in a timely fashion and now He is calling us to something else.

     After arresting Jesus they took Him to the high priest’s house, where the religious leaders gathered to decide what to do. They attempted to gather evidence to justify putting Him to death, however the many witnesses gave conflicting testimony. Finally the high priest directly asked Jesus if He was going to answer the testimony against Him. Jesus remained silent and would not answer. Jesus knew that the testimony against Him was useless to those prosecuting Him since it conflicted and thus did not call for an answer but anything He said could be twisted to make their case. The high priest follows up by asking Jesus a direct question as to whether He is the Messiah. Jesus answers this question in the affirmative. The high priest declares that His answer is blasphemy. The gathered religious leaders declared that it made Him worthy of death. I am not sure about this, but I believe that Jesus’ behavior in this situation presents a model for us in certain situations. When people are making inconsistent accusations against Christianity, we should remain silent and not answer their charges. Those making that type of accusation will not listen to our defense of our faith, they will merely twist what we say to support their preconceived conclusion. However, when asked a direct question about what we believe we should answer it truthfully and in full, even though those same people will use it to justify their attacks on our faith.
     While this was going on Peter had entered the courtyard. One of the servant girls recognized Peter and spoke up saying that she recognized him as one of those who had been with Jesus. Peter claimed to have no idea what she was talking about and went over to the entryway. The servant girl then told those standing around that Peter was one of Jesus’ followers. Peter again denied this allegation. After a short period one of those standing nearby told Peter that since he was a Galilean, he must be one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter vehemently denied even knowing who Jesus was. No sooner had he done so than the rooster crowed and Peter remembered what Jesus had said. When Peter realized what he had just done, he broke down and wept. How often have we followed Peter’s example here and denied knowing Jesus in order to avoid social condemnation? Are we as heartbroken as Peter was when we realize what we have done?

     The psalmist tells us that those who believe that there is no God are fools. That such a belief inevitably leads to corruption and evil actions. The psalmist goes on to remind us that all of us have turned away from God and no one does good. None of us has any basis for condemning another, in the sight of God we are all evildoers deserving of destruction. It is only through the grace of God that we can have faith in God’s salvation. I am no better than the worst sinner out there. If my actions and thoughts appear better than those of others, that is no credit to me. It is only so because of the grace of God. I will seek to give glory to God for those times when I do good rather than evil because it is only because of His intervention in my life that such times occur.

     On the day of wrath and destruction, wealth will not protect us. Only righteousness will provide protection on that day.