First things first

Week 40 Day 2

Numbers 32:20-24 (NLT)
²⁰ Then Moses said, “If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the Lord’s battles, ²¹ and if your troops cross the Jordan and keep fighting until the Lord has driven out his enemies, ²² then you may return when the Lord has conquered the land. You will have fulfilled your duty to the Lord and to the rest of the people of Israel. And the land on the east side of the Jordan will be your property from the Lord. ²³ But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. ²⁴ Go ahead and build towns for your families and pens for your flocks, but do everything you have promised.”


// Reubenites and Gadites

.. didn't have the intention of discouraging the Israelites of crossing the Jordan as their fathers did (v. 8)
.. they actually obeyed what Moses has told them to do in submission to his authority as God has given to Moses (v. 31-32)
.. they were concern of their welfare - their families and livestock - yet they didn't do this out of disobedience but with full submission
.. they listened to what Moses said to them and still was able to fulfill their responsibilities and desire to remain in Jazer and Gilead for their livestock and their families (v. 1)
.. were allowed by Moses to remain however, they had to fulfill their responsibilities first (v. 25-27) and they promised to do what Moses had said
.. because they fulfilled what they promised, the land was given to them

// Principles we can learn

.. we have desires that we like to be fulfilled - for ourselves, for our children, and for our families just like the Reubenites and the Gadites
.. unless they are evil desires, we know that God will give the desires of our hearts as long they are according to the fulfillment of God's will - not just for us, but especially for other people where God may use us to bring them across Jordan
.. we always have responsibilities to take care of, but before God allows us and gives us a go signal (whether through Godly leaders, parents, and esp God's word) it would great to do what we have asked to do first - fulfilling our first responsibilities before jumping into new ventures
.. just do what needs to be done first - the promises you've made before God to help other people cross the Jordan - then God will take care of the rest

// BELLE

.. awesome message and probably a confirmation of what I am praying for; need more confirmation for a solid foundation before stepping on it
.. I need to fulfill my responsibilities now to help others cross the Jordan first with my company before I settle down with other stuff
.. I will do my job faithfully as promised and prepare for the new ventures coming ahead
.. I will obey my leaders faithfully with full submission and authority to guide me through what I need to do

// Probable Parallels

"lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock" = go back to school - grad school to help open up more opportunities for a future stability with family

"But we are ready to arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place" = fulfilling my responsibility as youth director; leading the youth committee to get to where they are supposed to go for leading the youth


// LORD, you are awesome. I pray that you help me to be discerning always when these things are going to take place. I know you always speak to me clearly whenever you want to reveal your will and direction in my life. I pray that Your Spirit will continually infuse me and give me great power and ability to do this responsibility with your divine direction. You will be glorified in what you will let me do. In Jesus' name, amen.