The Daily Dose

Do not be afraid of giants

And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’ ~ Deuteronomy 3:2

Have you ever known God was leading you forward, yet felt intimidated by what stood in front of you? Sometimes the next step in obedience brings you face to face with obstacles that feel bigger than your faith, stronger than your experience, or beyond your ability. Today’s scripture reading reminds us that moving forward with God often includes confronting giants, but it also shows us that God never sends us into a battle He has not already planned to win with those who follow His directions.

The three truths below reveal how God strengthens His people to move forward courageously and how that same kingdom principle applies to your life today:

1. God goes before you into every battle.

The Israelites faced Og king of Bashan, a powerful enemy with a reputation that was greatly feared by all people. Yet God spoke before the battle ever began and declared the victory. The outcome was settled before the fight started.

This can be an inspiration to you when a challenge feels overwhelming. Start by listening for God’s truth instead of rehearsing your fears. Pray and ask God what He says about the situation you are facing. Write down His promises and choose to move forward based on His word rather than what looks intimidating.

2. Victory builds confidence for the next step.

Each battle the Israelites won strengthened their trust in God for what was still ahead. God used those victories to prepare them for future territory and responsibility.

Take time to remember what God has already brought you through. When fear rises about a new assignment, remind yourself that the same God who helped you before will help you again. Use past victories as fuel for present obedience.

3. God’s promises are meant to be possessed, not just admired.

The land was given to the Israelites, but they still had to step into it. God’s promise required action and courage. Standing still would have meant missing what God had already provided.

Ask God where He is calling you to move forward instead of staying safe. Take one obedient step even if it feels uncomfortable. Growth often happens on the other side of fear, not before it disappears.

I have just come through a victory after facing a giant in my life. God clearly showed opened up a door for me to take a next step, yet the obstacles in front of me felt far bigger than my confidence and experience for the opportunity. There were moments when fear whispered that I was not ready or capable. Each time I chose to trust God, rely on His empowering grace and move forward anyway, I saw Him show up with strength I did not have on my own. What once felt impossible became a testimony of His faithfulness. God used those moments to show me that courage grows through obedience and taking the next step, not before it.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God when He calls you to face what feels bigger than you. Do not let fear stop you from stepping into what He has already placed in your hands. The same God who defeated the giants before you is still fighting for you today. Move forward with confidence, knowing that obedience releases victory and prepares you for even greater things ahead.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 3

1 “Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan; and Og king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. 

2 And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’

3 “So the Lord our God also delivered into our hands Og king of Bashan, with all his people, and we attacked him until he had no survivors remaining. 

4 And we took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we did not take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 

5 All these cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a great many rural towns. 

6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city. 

7 But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as booty for ourselves.

8 “And at that time we took the land from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were on this side of the Jordan, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon 

9 (the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir), 

10 all the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, as far as Salcah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

11 “For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the giants. Indeed his bedstead was an iron bedstead. (Is it not in Rabbah of the people of Ammon?) Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the standard cubit.

The Land East of the Jordan Divided

12 “And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the River Arnon, and half the mountains of Gilead and its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and the Gadites. 

13 The rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to half the tribe of Manasseh. (All the region of Argob, with all Bashan, was called the land of the giants. 

14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and called Bashan after his own name, Havoth Jair, to this day.)

15 “Also I gave Gilead to Machir. 

16 And to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave from Gilead as far as the River Arnon, the middle of the river as the border, as far as the River Jabbok, the border of the people of Ammon; 

17 the plain also, with the Jordan as the border, from Chinnereth as far as the east side of the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.

18 “Then I commanded you at that time, saying: ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel. 

19 But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall stay in your cities which I have given you, 

20 until the Lord has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’

21 “And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. 

22 You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.’

23 “Then I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying: 

24 ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? 

25 I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.’

26 “But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: ‘Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. 

27 Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. 

28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’

29 “So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor.

Journal:

• What challenge in my life feels like a giant right now
• Where might God be asking me to trust Him and move forward despite fear
• How can I remind myself of God’s past faithfulness when I face new obstacles

Trusting God’s Timing and Direction

You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. ~ Deuteronomy 2:3

Have you ever felt like you’re in a season where you’re just going around in circles, not really moving forward? It can feel frustrating when progress seems slow or when the next step isn’t clear. But what if God is asking you to trust His timing and direction, even in seasons where it feels like you’re stuck? In today’s passage from Deuteronomy, the Israelites were told to stop wandering and head in a new direction. This instruction came after a long period of waiting and uncertainty. God had a specific plan for them, and when it was time, He led them forward with a clear purpose.

Here are three lessons we can take from this passage:

1. Trust God’s Timing

God told the Israelites that they had been going around the same mountain long enough. Sometimes in our lives, it can feel like we’re stuck in a cycle, waiting for something to change. But God is faithful, and when His timing is right, He leads us into new opportunities. Trust that your waiting is not in vain and that God will open doors at just the right time.

If you find yourself feeling stuck, take a moment to pause and ask God for clarity about the next step. Be patient with the process, trusting that God is preparing you for what’s ahead, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. Prayerfully consider the areas where you feel God might be calling you to move forward.

2. Follow God’s Clear Direction

The Israelites were given clear instructions to go north. Sometimes we are waiting for God’s direction but are unsure of where He wants us to go next. When God speaks, His direction is clear, even if it challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. Following God’s direction requires faith, even when we don’t fully understand the journey ahead.

Spend time in prayer asking God to guide you. If you feel like you’ve been going around in circles, be open to His voice, whether through Scripture, prayer, or wise counsel. When God gives you direction, take that first step in faith. It might feel daunting, but His plans for you are always good.

3. Remember God’s Faithfulness

As the Israelites made their way to the promised land, they had seen God’s faithfulness to them over and over again. Even when they faced challenges, God was with them, providing and leading them every step of the way. Remembering how God has been faithful in the past strengthens our faith and helps us trust Him for the future.

Look back on your own life and reflect on the ways God has been faithful to you. Write down moments where you’ve seen His provision, guidance, and love. This will remind you that, even in seasons of waiting or uncertainty, God is always working behind the scenes for your good.

I’ve had times in my life where I felt like I was going in circles, unsure of my next step. I knew I was supposed to be growing, but I didn’t know exactly how. It wasn’t until I slowed down, focused on God’s faithfulness, and waited for His direction that things began to shift. The moment I took that step of faith in response to His clear leading, things started to fall into place. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. God had been preparing me all along, even in seasons where I felt like nothing was happening. Looking back, I can see that God was guiding me with purpose all along, even when I couldn’t see it in the moment.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God’s timing and direction in your life. If you’re feeling like you’ve been wandering or stuck, remember that God is never wasting your time. Trust that He is preparing you for something greater and is always with you, leading you step by step. Don’t be afraid to take that next step, even if it feels uncertain. God has a clear direction for your life, and His faithfulness will see you through.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 2

1 “Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.

2 “And the Lord spoke to me, saying: 

3‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. 

4 And command the people, saying, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brethren, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore watch yourselves carefully. 

5 Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. 

6 You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat; and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink.

7 “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” ’

8 “And when we passed beyond our brethren, the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir, away from the road of the plain, away from Elath and Ezion Geber, we turned and passed by way of the Wilderness of Moab. 

9 Then the Lord said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’ ”

10 (The Emim had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. 

11 They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. 

12 The Horites formerly dwelt in Seir, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the Lord gave them.)

13 “ ‘Now rise and cross over the Valley of the Zered.’ So we crossed over the Valley of the Zered. 

14 And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the Lord had sworn to them. 

15 For indeed the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp until they were consumed.

16 “So it was, when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people, 

17 that the Lord spoke to me, saying: 

18 ‘This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab. 

19 And when you come near the people of Ammon, do not harass them or meddle with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’ ”

20 (That was also regarded as a land of giants; giants formerly dwelt there. But the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 

21 a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, 

22 just as He had done for the descendants of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, even to this day. 

23 And the Avim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and dwelt in their place.)

24 “ ‘Rise, take your journey, and cross over the River Arnon. Look, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to possess it, and engage him in battle. 

25 This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.’

King Sihon Defeated

26 “And I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, 

27 ‘Let me pass through your land; I will keep strictly to the road, and I will turn neither to the right nor to the left. 

28 You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink; only let me pass through on foot, 

29 just as the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord our God is giving us.’

30 “But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as it is this day.

31 “And the Lord said to me, ‘See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it, that you may inherit his land.’ 

32 Then Sihon and all his people came out against us to fight at Jahaz. 

33 And the Lord our God delivered him over to us; so we defeated him, his sons, and all his people. 

34 We took all his cities at that time, and we utterly destroyed the men, women, and little ones of every city; we left none remaining. 

35 We took only the livestock as plunder for ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we took. 

36 From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all to us. 

37 Only you did not go near the land of the people of Ammon—anywhere along the River Jabbok, or to the cities of the mountains, or wherever the Lord our God had forbidden us.

Journal:

• In what areas of my life do I feel like I am going around in circles?
• How can I trust God’s timing in my current season?
• When have I seen God’s faithfulness in my life before? How can I use that as encouragement to move forward?

Moving Forward with God’s promises

“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. ~ Deuteronomy 1:6-7   

Have you ever found yourself stuck in one place for far too long, unsure if it’s time to move forward or take the next step? Sometimes, we grow comfortable with where we are and wonder if there’s more ahead, or if it’s just too hard to move past what feels safe. The Israelites found themselves at the foot of Mount Horeb for a long time, and God had to remind them that it was time to move forward, step into the next chapter, and claim the promises ahead.

In the same way, God calls us to step out of our comfort zones, to trust His timing, and to move forward into the promises He has for our lives. He doesn’t want us to stay stuck in one place forever. He wants to lead us into greater things and all that He designed our lives for.

Here are three powerful points to consider as you think about how to move forward in faith:

1. There’s a time to stay and a time to move forward.

God called the Israelites to move forward from Mount Horeb, but they had to be willing to hear His voice and obey His direction. Sometimes, we may feel stuck, but it is important to remember that God knows the right time for us to move. Whether it’s a career change, a relationship, or a new season of growth, we need to be sensitive to God’s timing.

When you feel uncertain about a decision, take time to pray and ask God for clarity. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a promise from His Word and seek counsel from wise and godly people in your life. Then, take a step of faith and trust that God will guide you as you move forward.

2. Moving forward requires courage.

The Israelites were hesitant to enter the land of Canaan because of the challenges they would face. It took courage to step out in faith and trust God’s promises. In your life, moving forward might mean facing fears, doubts, or unfamiliar situations.

Identify an area in your life where God is calling you to move forward. It might seem overwhelming, but remember that God is with you. Ask Him to show you just the next step so you can begin heading in that direction. Choose to step out of your comfort zone and face your fears with the courage He provides. Start small, but keep moving.

3. The promise is greater than the current comfort.

God had a promised land full of blessings for the Israelites, but they had to take that first step into the unknown. Sometimes, we resist moving forward because the unknown feels uncomfortable. However, God promises that what lies ahead is greater than where we are now.

Ask yourself if you’re holding back from something God is calling you to because it feels too risky or uncertain. Trust that God’s plans are always good, and His promises are worth the step of faith. Even if the road seems difficult, God’s provision is with you every step of the way.

There have been many times in my life when I felt stuck, like I wasn’t moving forward in my calling. I wasn’t necessarily comfortable where I was, but I was afraid to take the next step because I didn’t want to step out of God’s plan for my life. I had spent so many years making my own decisions and living with the weight of regret that I didn’t want to make another wrong choice. As a result, I became paralyzed with fear, afraid of making the wrong decision. I knew God was calling me to take a bold step of faith, but there was fear, doubt, and so much uncertainty about what would come after that step. Despite all of that, I chose to trust God. As I took that first step, He began to move in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The blessings on the other side were far greater than anything I had imagined when I hesitated to move forward. God’s promises were more than worth the risk.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God is calling you to move forward. He has amazing promises ahead for you, and though the journey may not always be easy, it will always be worth it. Don’t let fear or comfort hold you back. Step into the unknown with faith and confidence, knowing that God has already gone before you. He is leading you to something far greater than what you have now.

Today’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy 1

1 These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain opposite Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 

2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. 

3 Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him as commandments to them, 

4 after he had killed Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who dwelt at Ashtaroth in Edrei.

5 On this side of the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying, 

6 “The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. 

7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. 

8 See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them.’

9 “And I spoke to you at that time, saying: ‘I alone am not able to bear you. 

10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. 

11 May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you! 

12 How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints? 

13 Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’ 

14 And you answered me and said, ‘The thing which you have told us to do is good.’ 

15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.

16 “Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him. 

17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 

18 And I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do.

19 “So we departed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw on the way to the mountains of the Amorites, as the Lord our God had commanded us. Then we came to Kadesh Barnea. 

20 And I said to you, ‘You have come to the mountains of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. 

21 Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

22 “And every one of you came near to me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.’

23 “The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. 

24 And they departed and went up into the mountains, and came to the Valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 

25 They also took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought back word to us, saying, ‘It is a good land which the Lord our God is giving us.’

26 “Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God; 

27 and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the Lord hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 

28 Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’

29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 

30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 

31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 

32 Yet, for all that, you did not believe the Lord your God, 

33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.

34 “And the Lord heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, 

35 ‘Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, 

36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the Lord.’ 

37 The Lord was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, ‘Even you shall not go in there. 

38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

39 ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. 

40 But as for you, turn and take your journey into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea.’

41 “Then you answered and said to me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord; we will go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And when everyone of you had girded on his weapons of war, you were ready to go up into the mountain.

42 “And the Lord said to me, ‘Tell them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; lest you be defeated before your enemies.” 

43 So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the Lord, and presumptuously went up into the mountain. 

44 And the Amorites who dwelt in that mountain came out against you and chased you as bees do, and drove you back from Seir to Hormah. 

45 Then you returned and wept before the Lord, but the Lord would not listen to your voice nor give ear to you.

46 “So you remained in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you spent there.

Journal:

• Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to move forward?
• What fears or doubts are holding you back from stepping into God’s promises?
• How can you take a small step of faith today to move closer to where God is leading you?

God honors order and faithful choices

_{This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father’s tribe.’ ~ Numbers 36:6}

Have you ever wondered if the choices you make today truly matter in the long run, or if God is really involved in the details of your decisions? Maybe you even think that what you do today only counts for today. Today’s scripture reading closes the book of Numbers with a powerful reminder that God cares deeply about order, legacy, and obedience, even in matters that may seem ordinary or personal. This chapter shows that God’s instructions were not meant to restrict His people, but to protect His promises. As believers today, this is still true today. God is watching over how you live, choose, and steward what He has placed in your hands.

The three truths below show how obedience, wisdom, and trust work together in God’s plan and how you can live them out in today’s world as a citizen of heaven:

1. God’s instructions protect what He has promised.

In this chapter the boundaries God set were designed to preserve the inheritance He had already given. His guidance was not about control, but about safeguarding what mattered most for future generations.

Ask God to show you where His instructions are meant to protect you rather than limit you. When making decisions about relationships, commitments, or direction, pause and seek His wisdom before moving forward. Trust that His boundaries are an act of care, not restriction.

2. Obedience today shapes blessing tomorrow.

The daughters of Zelophehad chose to honor God’s command, and their obedience ensured that the inheritance remained intact. Their willingness to follow God’s direction impacted more than just their own lives.

Choose to seek God’s wisdom in the small decisions you face right now. Whether it is integrity at work, faithfulness in relationships, or consistency in prayer, honor God in what feels ordinary, knowing He leads you through present obedience to shape future blessing.

3. God values order because He values people.

This chapter shows God’s concern for fairness, structure, and consistency. His order brought clarity and peace, not confusion. God’s heart was always for His people to thrive within His design.

Invite God into the details of your life instead of only the major decisions. Ask Him how to manage your time, responsibilities, and relationships in a way that honors Him and serves others well.

I have seen this truth lived out in my own life. There was a time in my life when I wanted to rush decisions or choose what felt like in the moment, trusting my instincts more than God’s direction. Each time I slowed down and chose obedience, even when it required patience or surrender, God protected me from outcomes I could not see coming. Looking back, I can clearly see how His guidance preserved relationships, opportunities, and peace that would have been lost if I had continued to go my own way. What felt like restraint in the moment was actually my loving heavenly Father guarding the future He had prepared for me.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God cares about the details of your life and that His instructions are always rooted in love and purpose. Choose obedience even when it requires patience or humility, knowing that God is protecting what He has promised you. Honor Him in your decisions today, and trust that He is building a future filled with stability, blessing, and peace as you walk faithfully with Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 36

1 Now the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the chief fathers of the children of Israel. 

2 And they said: “The Lord commanded my lord Moses to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. 

3 Now if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and it will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so it will be taken from the lot of our inheritance. 

4 And when the Jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”

5 Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the Lord, saying: “What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right. 

6 This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father’s tribe.’ 

7 So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 

8 And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be the wife of one of the family of her father’s tribe, so that the children of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers. 

9 Thus no inheritance shall change hands from one tribe to another, but every tribe of the children of Israel shall keep its own inheritance.”

10 Just as the Lord commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad; 

11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to the sons of their father’s brothers. 

12 They were married into the families of the children of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father’s family.

13 These are the commandments and the judgments which the Lord commanded the children of Israel by the hand of Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

Journal:

• What area of my life might God be asking me to trust His instruction more fully
• Are there decisions I am rushing that need prayer and patience instead
• How can I honor God in the small choices I make this week

There is always more

Then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. ~ Numbers 35:11

Have you ever wondered if where you are right now is truly all God has for you, or if there is more ahead that you have not stepped into yet? Today’s scripture reading reminds us that God never leads His people without provision, protection, and purpose. Even before Israel fully settled the Promised land, God prepared cities of refuge, places of safety and order, showing that His plan always reaches further than what is immediately visible. The kingdom of heaven still operates this way today. God always has more prepared, and He invites each one of His people to keep moving forward instead of settling too soon.

The three truths below show how God’s plan continues to unfold and how you can live from a kingdom of heaven perspective without stopping short or settling for less:

1. God prepares what you need before you realize you need it.

The cities of refuge were established before the people faced the situations that required them. God anticipated their future and made provision ahead of time. Showing that His plan does not react to circumstances, it leads them.

Trust that your heavenly Father has already prepared answers, strength, and provision for what lies ahead. When uncertainty arises, choose prayer over panic and obedience over fear, knowing that God has gone before you and His provision is waiting for you.

2. God provides safety without calling you to settle there permanently.

The cities of refuge were places of protection, not final destinations. They served a purpose for a season, but they were never meant to replace the inheritance God promised. Settling there would have meant stopping short of the blessings that came next.

Thank God for the seasons that bring rest, healing, or protection, but stay open to His leading forward. Ask God if there is a next step you are hesitating to take because comfort feels safer than growth.

3. God’s justice and mercy work together to move you forward.

This passage also shows both boundaries and grace. God made room for mercy while still establishing order and responsibility. His plan was not limited to survival but pointed toward restoration and forward movement.

Allow God’s mercy to lift you out of past mistakes without using His grace as a reason to stay stuck. Choose obedience today as a way to move toward the more your Father in heaven has prepared for your future.

I have seen this truth unfold in my own life. There have been many occasions when God gave me safety, provision, and stability, and I was tempted to stay there because it felt manageable and familiar. Over time, I began to realize that what once felt comfortable was no longer where He was leading me. A restlessness grew in my heart, not from dissatisfaction, but from His gentle invitation to take the next step. Each time I chose to trust Him beyond my comfort zone, God revealed that He had more prepared than I could see in the moment. What looked like risk became growth, and what felt uncertain became purpose. My heavenly Father never asked me to abandon the safety He provided, He simply asked me not to confuse a time of refuge with the full purpose and plan He had designed for my life.

The truth is, there is always more when you continue to grow and take the next step God places before you. Growth is not optional in the kingdom of heaven, it is part of staying on course with your purpose. When you settle into the status quo and choose comfort over obedience, stagnation slowly sets in, and drift follows not because God moved, but because you stopped. God is always calling His people forward, inviting them into deeper trust, greater impact, and fuller purpose. When that invitation is ignored long enough, it can lead to a quiet disconnection where one day you wake up asking, “How did I get here?” Not because your heavenly Father withheld direction, but because there was always more available and the next step was left untaken. Staying responsive to His leading keeps your life moving in step with His purpose and opens the door to the greatest fulfilment, joy and satisfaction in life.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God always has more ahead for you. Do not stop in a place that was meant to sustain you for a season when God is calling you forward into deeper purpose. The kingdom of heaven is active, advancing, and full of provision for every step of obedience. Keep moving, keep trusting, and believe that what God has prepared is greater than what you have already known.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 35

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: 

2 “Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities. 

3 They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals. 

4 The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around. 

5 And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.

6 “Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities. 

7 So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land. 

8 And the cities which you will give shall be from the possession of the children of Israel; from the larger tribe you shall give many, from the smaller you shall give few. Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites, in proportion to the inheritance that each receives.”

9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 

11 then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. 

12 They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment. 

13 And of the cities which you give, you shall have six cities of refuge. 

14 You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge. 

15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there.

16 ‘But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 

17 And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 

18 Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 

19 The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 

20 If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies, 

21 or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

22 ‘However, if he pushes him suddenly without enmity, or throws anything at him without lying in wait, 

23 or uses a stone, by which a man could die, throwing it at him without seeing him, so that he dies, while he was not his enemy or seeking his harm, 

24 then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments. 

25 So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. 

26 But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, 

27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, 

28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.

29 ‘And these things shall be a statute of judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 

30 Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty. 

31 Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. 

32 And you shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest. 

33 So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 

34 Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.’ ”

Journal:

• Where might I be settling because it feels safe rather than stepping forward in faith
• What past provision has God given me that now invites gratitude instead of staying
• What is one next step God may be asking me to take toward the more He has prepared

Bring others too

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ~ Mark 2:3

Do you have friends, loved ones, or neighbors who do not have Jesus in their life? Maybe you have tried to share God’s love but felt like it never landed like you thought it would? Maybe fear or intimidation has kept you quiet. If you have or if you haven’t, I have good news for you today. Sharing Jesus does not always start with words. Sometimes it simply starts with bringing people along.

Your influence as a believer grows through genuine relationship. When you bring others into your everyday life, your faith becomes visible and tangible. This is not about forcing someone to listen or convincing them to believe. It is about loving them where they are and trusting God to work through that love and kindness that is flowing out of your life. Inviting someone to run errands, sharing a meal, or spending intentional time together can open hearts far more than a polished speech or forceful words ever could.

In today’s passage, four friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. When the crowd blocked the way, they did not quit. They cared too much to settle for obstacles. Their persistence and love created a path for healing and salvation. Their faith moved them to action, and Jesus met them there.

Here are a few practical ways to live this out in your life today:

• Intentionally include others in your everyday rhythms. Invite a coworker to lunch, ask a neighbor to join you for coffee, or include a friend in a family activity. Start by choosing one person and one simple invitation this week.
• Let love lead instead of pressure. Focus on listening, serving, and caring without an agenda. Begin by praying daily for God to show you how to love them well right where they are.
• Stay persistent even when it feels inconvenient. Do not give up when schedules clash or progress seems slow. Decide ahead of time that people are worth the effort and ask God for strength to keep showing up.

I have seen this play out in my own life. There have been many times when I wanted the people I cared about to encounter God so deeply, but I felt unsure how to help them get there. When I stopped trying to say the perfect words and simply started inviting them into my life, everything changed. Shared meals, long conversations, ordinary moments, and consistent presence opened doors I never could have forced open. Over time, I watched God use simple togetherness to soften hearts and draw people closer to Him. It reminded me that my role was not to save anyone, but to love them faithfully and bring them as close to Jesus as I could, trusting Him to do the rest.

Today I want to encourage you to bring others along as you follow Jesus, just as the four friends did in Mark 2. Consider reaching across generations, pouring your wisdom into someone younger or honoring someone older by listening to what they have learned through life. Either way, your time, care, and commitment will communicate God’s love and draw hearts closer to the day of salvation. Let your love create a pathway for God’s power to move, trusting that when people matter to you, they matter deeply to Him. As you live this out, you will fulfill the mission God has given you and help others encounter the Savior who changes everything.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 2:1-12

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 

2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 

3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 

4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 

7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 

9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 

10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 

11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 

12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Journal:

• Who is one person God may be asking me to bring along in my daily life right now?
• What fear or hesitation has kept me from inviting others into my world?
• What is one simple step I can take this week to show someone they are seen, valued, and loved by God?

None too great or small

But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” ~ Mark 1:38

There are moments when life feels steady and then suddenly everything shifts. Problems appear without warning and it can feel like a storm has settled in with no clear end in sight. In those moments, confusion, exhaustion, and discouragement can come on very quickly. That’s when we need to remember to cry out for peace, for comfort, and for restoration to be reminded that our Lord Jesus is still the source of triumph and deliverance.

The remainder of Mark chapter one is filled with real life encounters. Jesus cast out demons, healed the sick, restored those suffering with disease, and cleansed a leper. People came to Him carrying burdens of every kind and He met them with compassion and power. Nothing brought to Jesus was ever too big to overwhelm Him or too small to matter to Him. Every need received His attention and care.
That truth still stands today. When pressure builds and answers feel far away, every concern can be brought to Jesus. Whether the weight is emotional, physical, relational, or spiritual, He remains willing and able to meet you where you are. He does not rank problems by importance. What weighs on your heart matters to Him.

Here are some practical ways to apply this passage:

• Bring every concern to Jesus, begin by naming the situation honestly in prayer instead of minimizing it or carrying it alone.
• Ask Jesus for His peace before answers appear, take a moment each day to pause, breathe, and invite His presence to calm your thoughts and emotions.
• Trust His compassion in the waiting, remind yourself daily that Jesus sees your need and is already working even when answers feel slow in coming.

In my own life, I realized that when I carry struggles silently, they grow heavier. When I bring them openly to Jesus, peace begins to settle even before circumstances change. Time and again, He has met me with strength when I felt weak and clarity when confusion tried to take over. His faithfulness has proven that nothing I place in His hands is ever ignored.

Today I want to encourage you to bring every burden, worry, and need to Jesus without hesitation. Trust that nothing in your life is too great for His power or too small for His reach. Let His presence be your peace, His compassion be your comfort, and His power carry you through to victory.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 1:21-45

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 

22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 

24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 

26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 

27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 

28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 

30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 

31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 

33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 

34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 

36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 

37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”

39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 

42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 

43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 

44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

Journal:

• What situation am I carrying that I need to place fully in Jesus’ hands
• Where do I need to invite His peace instead of striving for control
• How has Jesus shown His faithfulness to me in past struggles    

To good to be true  

“These are the names of the men who shall divide the land among you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. ~ Numbers 34:17

Have you ever understood that God had promised you something, but it seems like it was just too good to be true? Maybe you’re waiting for a breakthrough or striving for a vision He has placed in your heart, but it feels as though you’re stuck at the starting line, overwhelmed and afraid to take that next faith step. Today’s scripture reading is a reminder that God has already set apart the “land” or the victory He promises His people, and He gives us the plan to step into it.

As God’s people in the world today, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle of trying to make things happen on our own. But God’s promise still stands, and He will lead us into the places He has planned and arranged for us. The key is to trust His direction, follow His instructions, and walk in His timing.

Here are three truths to consider as you read this passage in Numbers 34, especially when God’s promises feel too good to be true.

1. God has a designated an inheritance for each one of us.

God did not give the Israelites a vague or general promise. He clearly defined the borders and boundaries of their inheritance, showing that what He had prepared for them was intentional and specific. In the same way, God has a personal and purposeful plan for each one of our lives, even when it feels bigger or better than expected.

Be intentional in seeking God for His vision for your life and the calling He has placed within you. When His plan feels overwhelming or too good to be true, remember that God works in seasons. Trust that He is guiding you step by step into the blessings and purpose He has already prepared for you.

2. God’s promises require action.

Although the land was promised, the Israelites still had to step in, possess it, and fight battles along the way. God’s plan did not unfold without obedience and courage. A promise that feels overwhelming or too good to be true still requires faith to move forward.  It will not happen without your cooperation and following His leading.

Ask God to show you the next step of faith He is asking you to take. You do not need to see the entire plan or understand how it will unfold. Keep moving forward, trusting that God will equip you for each step as He reveals them to you.

3. God is the One who divides the land.

The distribution of the inheritance was not left to human decision but was entrusted to God’s appointed leaders. This reminds us that God’s plan inclueds the timing, placement, and path of every blessing. What He prepares for you is never accidental and requires you to be intentional with each step.

Surrender the outcome to God. Trust that He will bring you into the right place at the right time, even when the path does not look easy or logical. God strategically places His blessings along the path He designed, and following His direction positions you to receive what He has already planned.

I remember when I finally began pressing in to hear God’s direction instead of asking Him to bless my own plans. At first, it felt slow and uncertain. He had to walk me out of pits and traps I had fallen into by doing things my way. There were moments when His plan felt too good to be true, especially when I could not see how I would ever get from where I was to where He was leading me. Step by step, He stayed with me, even when I felt like I was not making progress. As I chose obedience and pressed into the Holy Spirit for His guidance for each decision, God began to reveal His purpose and gently redirected me from my own path onto His blessed plan. Ultimately, I realized that He had been trying to lead me into my inheritance all along.

My experience of God’s goodness showing up in my life only came after I surrendered my way of thinking and chose to believe that He wanted more for me than I could ever design on my own. That truth was revealed in practical ways, including the home I moved into when I was convinced I wanted to live somewhere else. I kept searching in the wrong places, focused on the moment, while God was seeing my lifetime. Following His leading to that location became one of the greatest blessings of my life and spared me from many heartaches. After that, I learned to trust Him with every decision, from custody of my children to my place of ministry and employment, to stepping into His blessed plan for my marriage and new and existing relationships. Each time I released control, I discovered that God’s plan, though it once felt too good to be true, was always better than anything I could have forced or manipulated on my own. All of these areas required me to take the steps that He gave, even when most times I had no idea how it was going to work out.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God has already set your inheritance before you, and even though you may not see all of it yet, He is faithful to lead you into it. Remember that He has a “too good to be true” life designed for you as you keep taking steps of obedience, and know that He is with you, guiding you every step of the way.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 34

1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance—the land of Canaan to its boundaries. 

3 Your southern border shall be from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom; then your southern border shall extend eastward to the end of the Salt Sea; 

4 your border shall turn from the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and be on the south of Kadesh Barnea; then it shall go on to Hazar Addar, and continue to Azmon; 

5 the border shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and it shall end at the Sea.

6 ‘As for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea for a border; this shall be your western border.

7 ‘And this shall be your northern border: From the Great Sea you shall mark out your border line to Mount Hor; 

8 from Mount Hor you shall mark out your border to the entrance of Hamath; then the direction of the border shall be toward Zedad; 

9 the border shall proceed to Ziphron, and it shall end at Hazar Enan. This shall be your northern border.

10 ‘You shall mark out your eastern border from Hazar Enan to Shepham; 

11 the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain; the border shall go down and reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth; 

12 the border shall go down along the Jordan, and it shall end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land with its surrounding boundaries.’ ”

13 Then Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: “This is the land which you shall inherit by lot, which the Lord has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half-tribe. 

14 For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and the half-tribe of Manasseh has received its inheritance. 

15 The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan, across from Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.”

16 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

17 “These are the names of the men who shall divide the land among you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. 

18 And you shall take one leader of every tribe to divide the land for the inheritance. 

19 These are the names of the men: from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh; 

20 from the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud; 

21 from the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon; 

22 a leader from the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli; 

23 from the sons of Joseph: a leader from the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod, 

24 and a leader from the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan; 

25 a leader from the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach; 

26 a leader from the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan; 

27 a leader from the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi; 

28 and a leader from the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.”

29 These are the ones the Lord commanded to divide the inheritance among the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Journal:

• What is one area of my life where I feel God is calling me to move forward?
• How can I trust God more fully in the steps He is asking me to take?
• What is one way I can surrender the outcome to God and trust His timing?

Remember the Journey

Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points: ~ Numbers 33:2

Have you ever looked back on your life and wondered why God allowed certain things to take as long as they did, or why the road felt so winding when you trusted Him? Today’s scripture reading is a detailed record of Israel’s journey, step by step, place by place. It reminds me that God was paying attention to every move, even when the people did not always understand where they were or why they were there. This chapter speaks powerfully to God’s people today who are walking by faith in a world that values speed, shortcuts, and instant results.

The journey listed in this chapter shows us that God is intentional in every season, so these three truths can help anchor our heart as we keep moving forward with Him.

1. God remembers every step, even the hard ones.

Israel’s journey was written down, not just the victories, but every camp and every stop along the way. Nothing was wasted or forgotten.

Acknowledge that even difficult or confusing times in your journey are part of God’s care over your life. Thank Him for carrying you through places you did not choose, trusting that He is still working through them.

2. Progress with God is often made one step at a time.

The chapter shows movement from place to place, not one giant leap into the promise. Growth happened gradually as they obeyed and moved when God said to move.

Focus on receiving and following God’s direction in the next right step instead of worrying about the entire future. Choose faithfulness today, whether that looks like staying committed, forgiving someone, or continuing when you feel tired.

3. God calls you forward without forgetting where you have been.

Israel was reminded of where they had come from as they prepared to settle the land ahead. Remembering the journey strengthened their understanding of God’s faithfulness.

Look back and notice how God has already carried you through past challenges. Let those reminders build confidence to trust Him with what lies ahead.

I have seen this truth in my own life. There have been many times where I questioned why progress felt slow or why I had to walk through certain places at all. Over time, I realized that God was marking each step, even when I was only aware of the struggles. Looking back on my journey, I can see how each step shaped the person I have become today and prepared me with endurance, humility, and trust that I could not have gained any other way. God was faithful in every stage and walked right with me every step of the way.
Today I want to encourage you to trust that God is present in every step of your journey, not only the moments that feel successful or clear. He sees where you have been, He knows where you are now, and He is faithfully leading you forward with purpose and care, strategically placing you to make a great impact in the world around you.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 33

1 These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 

2 Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points:

3 They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians. 

4 For the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had killed among them. Also on their gods the Lord had executed judgments.

5 Then the children of Israel moved from Rameses and camped at Succoth. 

6 They departed from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness. 

7 They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is east of Baal Zephon; and they camped near Migdol. 

8 They departed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, went three days’ journey in the Wilderness of Etham, and camped at Marah. 

9 They moved from Marah and came to Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there.

10 They moved from Elim and camped by the Red Sea. 

11 They moved from the Red Sea and camped in the Wilderness of Sin. 

12 They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. 

13 They departed from Dophkah and camped at Alush. 

14 They moved from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

15 They departed from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai. 

16 They moved from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah. 

17 They departed from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth. 

18 They departed from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah. 

19 They departed from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez. 

20 They departed from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah. 

21 They moved from Libnah and camped at Rissah. 

22 They journeyed from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah. 

23 They went from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. 

24 They moved from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah. 

25 They moved from Haradah and camped at Makheloth. 

26 They moved from Makheloth and camped at Tahath. 

27 They departed from Tahath and camped at Terah. 

28 They moved from Terah and camped at Mithkah. 

29 They went from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah. 

30 They departed from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth. 

31 They departed from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan. 

32 They moved from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Hagidgad. 

33 They went from Hor Hagidgad and camped at Jotbathah. 

34 They moved from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah. 

35 They departed from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber. 

36 They moved from Ezion Geber and camped in the Wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh. 

37 They moved from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the boundary of the land of Edom.

38 Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the Lord, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. 

39 Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

40 Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

41 So they departed from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. 

42 They departed from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. 

43 They departed from Punon and camped at Oboth. 

44 They departed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, at the border of Moab. 

45 They departed from Ijim and camped at Dibon Gad. 

46 They moved from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim. 

47 They moved from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 

48 They departed from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. 

49 They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jesimoth as far as the Abel Acacia Grove in the plains of Moab.

50 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, 

51 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 

52 then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; 

53 you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 

54 And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone’s inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers. 

55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. 

56 Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’ ”

Journal:

• Where have I seen God carry me through seasons I once questioned
• What is one step of obedience God is asking me to take right now
• How can remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen my trust in my current situation

Choosing faith over comfort

But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. ~ Numbers 32:23

Have you ever found yourself settling for what feels comfortable now, even when you know God may be calling you to something more later? In today’s world, it is easy to choose what looks good, feels safe, or meets immediate needs, rather than trusting God’s long-term promise and direction. In Numbers 32 we will read about the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who saw fertile land and wanted to settle there instead of crossing into the Promised Land. Their request reveals a tension every believer faces, choosing between comfort and calling.

Below are three important truths from this chapter about following God faithfully, especially when comfort and obedience seem to pull in different directions.

1. Short term comfort can distract from long term purpose.

The land looked perfect for livestock, and on the surface their request made sense. But Moses challenged them because settling early could discourage others from fully obeying God.

Ask God to show where comfort may be influencing your decisions more than calling. Make a simple list of what feels easy right now and compare it with what God has already asked of you. Choose one step of obedience that may feel uncomfortable but honors Him.

2. God cares about how choices affect others.

Moses reminded them that their decision could weaken the courage of the rest of Israel. Faith or unbelief is never lived in isolation, it always impacts those around you.

Pay attention to how personal decisions affect family, church, or coworkers. Choose actions that strengthen others in faith, even if it requires extra effort or sacrifice from you.

3. Obedience requires follow through, not just good intentions.

Reuben and Gad promised to help fight alongside Israel before settling down. Moses held them accountable to keep their word.

Finish what God has already placed in front of you. As you committed to serve, forgive, give, or step out in faith, ask the Holy Spirit for strength to complete it, even when enthusiasm fades.

I still have moments in my life when I want to settle into what feels manageable and familiar. I know God is continually asking me to trust Him beyond my comfort zone and take the next step, yet it can feel easier to pause and stay where I am. Even though I understand that delayed obedience often comes from fear rather than wisdom, every time I choose to move forward anyway, God meets me with clarity, strength, and growth I could never grow in by staying comfortable. In those moments, I remember that obedience always carries purpose, especially when it requires a step of faith and complete reliance on God’s empowering grace to meet me there.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God beyond what feels comfortable and familiar. Choose obedience over ease, follow through on what He has asked, and believe that His promises are worth the journey. God sees your faithfulness, and through your obedience He will strengthen you and those around you as you move forward into all He has prepared.

Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 32

1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, 

2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 

3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, 

4 the country which the Lord defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” 

5 Therefore they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.”

6 And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: “Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here? 

7 Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord has given them? 

8 Thus your fathers did when I sent them away from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. 

9 For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that they did not go into the land which the Lord had given them. 

10 So the Lord’s anger was aroused on that day, and He swore an oath, saying, 

11 ‘Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not wholly followed Me, 

12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the Lord.’ 

13 So the Lord’s anger was aroused against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone. 

14 And look! 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 once again leave them in the wilderness, and you will destroy all these people.”

16 Then they came near to him and said: “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones, 

17 but we ourselves will be armed, ready to go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones will dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 

18 We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance. 

19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this eastern side of the Jordan.”

20 Then Moses said to them: “If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the Lord for the war, 

21 and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies from before Him, 

22 and the land is subdued before the Lord, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the Lord and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. 

23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. 

24 Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what has proceeded out of your mouth.”

25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying: “Your servants will do as my lord commands. 

26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock will be there in the cities of Gilead; 

27 but your servants will cross over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, just as my lord says.”

28 So Moses gave command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel. 

29 And Moses said to them: “If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man armed for battle before the Lord, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as a possession. 

30 But if they do not cross over armed with you, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.”

31 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying: “As the Lord has said to your servants, so we will do. 

32 We will cross over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, but the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us on this side of the Jordan.”

33 So Moses gave to the children of Gad, to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land with its cities within the borders, the cities of the surrounding country. 

34 And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, 

35 Atroth and Shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, 

36 Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran, fortified cities, and folds for sheep. 

37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kirjathaim, 

38 Nebo and Baal Meon (their names being changed) and Shibmah; and they gave other names to the cities which they built.

39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. 

40 So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he dwelt in it. 

41 Also Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its small towns, and called them Havoth Jair. 

42 Then Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and he called it Nobah, after his own name.

Journal:

• Where might comfort be influencing a decision God is asking me to surrender
• What has God already asked me to follow through on
• How can my obedience encourage someone else in their faith today