S – The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. ¹⁹ Have him stand before the priest Eleazar and the whole community, and commission him in their sight. ²⁰ Confer some of your authority on him so that the entire Israelite community will obey him

Numbers 27:18–20 CSB

O –  Commentary: 

Joshua had a solid background for the role . He had been Moses’ assistant for a long time (11:28; cp. Exod 33:11). He was also one of the faithful spies (chs 13–14) who knew the people of Israel well. Joshua possessed the Spirit and recognized the special presence of God in his life (cp. 11:25–29). His relationship with God also gave him wisdom for the tasks ahead (e.g., Deut 34:9). • lay your hands on him: This act symbolized the transfer of authority from an elder statesman to his assistant (cp. 8:10–14). Moses did this publicly so that Joshua’s leadership would be incontestable.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

*Moses publically recognizes that Joshua will be his successor.

A – Joshua’s life was in close proximity of Moses.  He gained wisdom, knowledge for daily leadership but notice he also built his own relationship with God.  He didn’t just rely on Moses’.  The passing of the baton of leadership is essential in any group so that those following will have a clear understanding of what is next.

R – Lord, thank you for allowing us to have leaders and authority over us that help direct our paths.  As we grow in our own leadership, we need to honor those who have gone before us.  We are grateful for their wisdom and leadership.  Help us to be strong and courageous leaders as well.

S – Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people

Lukw 2:51–52 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Luke was careful to point out that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary in case his readers would think otherwise from the previous paragraph. Mary treasured all these things in her heart, reflecting on and remembering her 12-year-old’s words, even though she did not understand them. Perhaps Luke received these details about the early years of Jesus from Mary herself or from someone in whom she had confided. Jesus continued to grow (proekopten, lit., “cut one’s way forward,” i.e., “increased”) in every way (spiritually, mentally, and physically) and had favor with God and men (cf. v. 40).

 “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

Jesus modeled the principle of honoring and obedience.  Since Jesus recognized his purpose at a young age, “cutting his way forward” would be intentional for what was to come.  The foundation was favor with God and others.

A – We can apply the same principles to our walk with God.  When we honor and obey Him it demonstrates how we view God.  It also applies to how we treat others.   Both bring in the law of sowing and reaping.  It allows us to “cut our way forward” and have favor with God and man.

R – Lord, thank you for another day to grow in our relationship with You and others.  We ask that Your Holy Spirit would lead us in our thoughts, words and actions today. We choose to honor and obey You.  

S – Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance. 

 Proverbs 11:14 CSB

O – Guidance –taḥbūlôṯ is a nautical term used of steering a ship.

“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A nation or an individual without the right navigation (strategy, plotting and execution of a course) will fall.  With diverse ideas, there is accomplishment and wisdom.

A – We need people we can trust in our lives to give us good counsel.  Individually, we should have a “personal council” that speaks into the various areas of our lives.  Each member should bring expertise to certain areas:  God, marriage, career, finance and other things important to us.  We should treat our lives with the same gravity businesses do when they set a board of directors.

R – Heavenly Father, the wisdom you give through Your Holy Spirit is the most important for us today.  Continue to reveal the people in our lives who will add value in all other areas that will help us to grow.  We are grateful for the men and women you have put in our lives that cause us to succeed.

S- Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a person with understanding keeps silent.

Proverbs 11:12 CSB

O – It doesn’t make sense to talk negatively about someone in close proximity – it will get back to them.  There is wisdom in listening and understanding the situation.

A – We need to listen more than we speak.  We need to not speak negatively or down on others.

R – Heavenly Father, help us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.  Help us to see the value in each person we interact with today.  Give us the strength and discipline to do this.

S – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.” ⁹ So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered

Numbers 21:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

that person looked at the snake of bronze, he lived In the ancient Near East, serpents were widely associated with life and healing because they shed their skin. The prescientific observance of this ability led people to assume the serpent had regenerative power. Even today, the most common insignia associated with the medical profession contains two intertwined snakes.

Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus alluded to this incident when discussing his identity and mission (John 3:14–15)

By Hezekiah’s day (around 700 bc), this bronze snake had become an object of worship in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:4

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

*The serpent appears in the garden and brings “lies masquerading as truth.”   The snake was put on a pole for healing and wrongful worship later in history.  Jesus refers to it as he references Him going to the cross. Jesus is the true God and brings truth, and healing, drawing all men unto Him through the cross.

R – Lord, thank you for Jesus going to the cross for us.  He paid the ultimate sacrifice with His blood.  We are grateful for the forgiveness of sins, healing, strength and peace that only He can provide.  We honor You above anything else that would pose as a false God.

S – You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. 

Are they not in your book? ⁹ Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. 

This I know: God is for me.

Ps 56:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary: 

He was confident because God knew him intimately, even recording his tears. The image of his tears being collected in a wineskin (niv marg.) means that God did not forget his suffering. Because of that fact, he could say in full confidence, God is for me.

  “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God knows our tears – that is amazing!  When we experience pain, it helps us to know we are not alone and someone shares in that pain.  God is that intimate.  Because we know Him without boundary or limitation, we can confidently say “He is for me.”  He will help me through this.

R – Heavenly Father, Your love has no end.  You meet us right where we are and envelop us in Your love.  Even when You don’t take us out of our pain, Your presence is real.  We invite Your Holy Spirit to minister to us and empower us to take the steps we need to take today.  

S – Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Psalms  55:22 CSB

O – Burden—(1.) A load of any kind (Ex. 23:5). (2.) A severe task (Ex. 2:11). (3.) A difficult duty, requiring effort (Ex. 18:22). (4.) A prophecy of a calamitous or disastrous nature (Isa. 13:1; 17:1; Hab. 1:1, etc.).

Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature 

In this scripture, a burden is not defined with a negative or a positive connotation.

A – Each of us has “burdens” to carry daily.  Taking them to the Lord, He strengthens us and gives us the courage to face them.  Many times, we let our pride or self-centeredness hold onto our burdens. There is freedom in knowing God is with us in our daily challenges.

R – Lord, I have a full load today.  I am grateful for Your Holy Spirit that enables me to approach my day courageously. I invite You to help me with my burdens.  Thank You for Your wisdom and the strength I need for today.  I will walk in freedom.

S – ¹⁴ Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” 

But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 

¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified. 

Mark 15:14–15 CSB

O – Pilate takes all the steps possible to release Jesus because he knows of his innocence.  “Wanting to satisfy the crowd” is a mistake.  Pilate is the most powerful man in Jerusalem.  Yet, he is allowing the crowd to direct his actions.

A – It is hard to stand alone.  Leadership is often about making decisions where some are happy and others are not. Today, we have the hindsight to see it was part of God’s overall plan. That is the key for us.  When we know it is God’s plan, we move forward with confidence.

R – Heavenly Father, thank You that You have a will and purpose.  Give us the courage and insight to see and lead.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today in all things.

S – The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. 

There is no one who does good. ² God looks down from heaven on the human race 

to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. 

Psalms 53:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary: 

David received a revelation of God’s view of the human race: they are all fools. His summary description is in this verse: the fool believes there is no God; thus his life is corrupt and vile (i.e., abominable to God). In fact no one … does good.

“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

David concluded that we are all sinners.

A – Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  We recognize that we start as sinners and the only way for transformation is the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.  God looks for the one who sees how to live with Him in a relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, we are all sinners.  We recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who came to earth as a man and was crucified and resurrected. We accept His blood as forgiveness of our sins.  We ascribe all

S – Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!” 

³¹ But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are!” 

Numbers 13:30–31 CSB

O – Caleb knows the promise of God and encourages the people to go after it.  The other spies (except Joshua) challenge him believing the enemy is stronger than they are.

A – Moses is faced with a “right and right” decision.  Joshua and Caleb are looking at it through God’s promise and want to take the land.  The other spies are looking at it from a natural sense and see they don’t have the manpower to defeat the inhabitants.  Both are correct.  It takes courage to obey God when it doesn’t make sense.  The key is to know God’s will and lead and then obey it decisively and quickly.

R – Heavenly Father, we will face challenges and decision today.  We invite you to make your will and lead clearly plain to us.  Give us the courage to obey quickly.  We want to know you intimately so we can walk in full confidence of your plans and prompting today.