Today's Devotional

Today’s Scripture: Numbers 21-25

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name." – Hebrews 13:15

In Numbers 21, we find the children of Israel murmuring and complaining for lack of bread, although manna was in constant supply. When they despised God’s provision and called it “light bread,” fiery serpents came among them and killed many of those who shook their fists in the face of God.

When Moses prayed, the Lord gave Him instructions to set up a serpent of brass on a pole so that if a serpent bit anyone, that person could look up at the serpent of brass and live. (The acts of Moses are a clear picture of Christ, and so is the brass serpent itself.) Immediately, those who had looked upon Moses as their enemy now sought him out as their intercessor and their advocate with God.

One of the most difficult, continuing battles we face as Christians is the battle against a thankless spirit. In Romans 1:21-31, we’re given a long list of people’s heinous crimes and sins against God. On that list are the words, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.” Now that puts a thankless spirit in some pretty bad company.

How do we turn our grumbling and discontent around and receive life with a grateful heart? How do we develop a thankful spirit? We simply have to see all that we have as the gracious provision of God and thank Him for it each day.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You for my life and for all that I have. There’s nothing that comes my way that doesn’t go through Your hands. Amen.

To Ponder: Thankfulness in any situation depends a lot on your perspective.