On The Bible Show, we just finished recording our episodes in the Book of Numbers. Numbers follows the Israelites in the wilderness from Mt. Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. In the back half of Exodus, they receive the Tabernacle, and God’s presence fills it, showing his desire to be amongst his people. Leviticus outlines how they could draw near to worship him. It’s their invitation to be in his presence in a manner fitting for a Holy God. So when you open up the Book of Numbers, you expect a changed people! A people who no longer grumble and complain about everything that the Lord gives them. Yet, what do we find? They be grumbling. You want to be frustrated until the Holy Spirit convicts you. If you are anything like me, it’s more like a punch than a mirror, showing just how quickly my heart begins to grumble. The big things and the little things can always find something to grumble about. It’s a sin that naturally comes and must be fought against. Thanks be to God that he gave us a weapon against it. He’s given us gratitude. A heart that fits to be grateful slowly kills a grumbling one. Hear this invitation (and command!) as we prepare to worship together tomorrow from Psalm 100:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psalm 100:4
Set aside some time tonight or in the morning before worship to be blatantly grateful for all that the Lord has done! See you tomorrow!
Your brother,
Will
1 The strategy called “habit stacking” comes from James Clear’s book Atomic Habits.