Seek A Pure Heart
Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. Numbers 21:6, ESV
In the book of Numbers, the Canaanites fought against Israel and took some of them captive. Israel made a vow to God that if He would give the Canaanites over to them, they would devote the cities of the Canaanites to destruction. God granted their request and Israel did as they had vowed to God.
After being set free, Israel set out by way of the Red Sea and the people spoke against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food” (Numbers 21). When I read that passage, I held my breath and began to pray for forgiveness. We serve a loving, gracious God but He will discipline those He loves, and at times, discipline can mean death. Scripture said, “Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6).
This passage just reminded me of how we can forget our blessing and, if we are not careful, curse God because we don’t like our circumstances. I remember complaining to God about my husband and some of the ways he behaved - mind you, I did pray to God for a husband. God began to show me all of my husband’s attributes and said, “Which one of these do you want me to take away so you can have what you want?” Thank God I understood I needed to shut my mouth and seek forgiveness. What God gives us is always best for us. And what He allows us to go through is because it is what we need. The next time you are tempted to complain, remember the fiery serpents God sent to His people that He freed from Egypt.
Father,
Thank you for being so gracious and kind to me. Thank you for your mercy! Scripture says no human being can tame his tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8). God, I seek forgiveness for my ungraciousness and careless words I have allowed to come out of my mouth. I pray for a guard over my tongue and a pure and righteous heart. Thank you for your forgiveness and the healing of my soul. This I pray in Jesus’s name. Amen!
Affirmations; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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