Numbers 7-9 Ready or Not

It had been a year since they’d walked out of Egypt – a year since the death angel had taken the lives of all of the Egyptian firstborn sons.  Now, God instructed them to celebrate the Passover again – in remembrance.

Yet some people came to Moses.  They said they couldn’t celebrate it at that time because they’d become ritually unclean from touching a dead body.  They asked Moses what they could do.  Rather than deciding for himself, he said, “Wait, and I will find out what the Lord says about you.”  That should be solid advice for all of us!

God allowed those so affected to celebrate the Passover on the same day the following month.  There would not, however, be such consideration again the next month.  Those people were responsible to see that they were ritually pure.  Otherwise, they’d be cut off from the people.

Because we never know when God may call us for service, it’s vitally important that we not disqualify ourselves because of our sin.  It may be so tempting to give in to sin just once, but God may have already planned to use us at a time and in a way that requires our readiness.  We can unknowingly prevent our own service to the Lord by giving in to sin.

Father, I want to be ready and able to do whatever You call me to do, whenever You call.  I don’t want to disqualify myself by my sin.  When I am tempted, remind me that You may have something just around the corner that I cannot yet see, and help me not to succumb to sin.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford