Being Organized And At Peace
Did you ever notice how organized Moses was? In Numbers, we see how he sets out to methodically organize the Israelites who have been out from under the Egyptian rule for 1 year and 1 month. Moses orders a census to count the numbers of men 20 years old or more and able to serve in the army. Then he assigns leaders of each of those families, and then organizes them as to where they are to camp. He starts with the center being the temple, the “tent of meeting”, where the Levites set up their tents and camp and where the covenant law resides. The Levites are in charge of taking care of the tabernacle, all of the furnishings, set up and tear down if they are to move, and to guard the covenant law. Then he sets out camps to the east, south, west, and north, 3 camps in each direction.
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Scripture:
“The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.” – Numbers 2:2
Observation/Application:
So here Moses organizes and establishes leaders for each of the families, and gives them even how they are to be arranged. He made order out of chaos. Where can this apply in our lives? Lots of places. Where might we be unorganized, chaotic, messy? God sets things in order. In Genesis 1 we see that God is the Creator, the Great Orchestrator, He has the Greatest Plan of all. He built this city (on rock and roll).
- 1 Corinthians 14:40 tells us that, “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
- Luke 14:28-30 discusses the process for taking on a project, showing that we must first know what we have and what we need to complete a project. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’”
- Proverbs 27:23 challenges us to “know the state of our flocks, and attend to your herds.”
- Acts 20:28 gives us the same counsel to pay attention to our flocks – “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
- Colossians 3:23 reminds us that, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
But organization and preparation, like anything else, should not at the cost of relationships, as an idol above our God, spouses, children, and others. Remember Luke 10:38-42 and the story of Martha too busy working and preparing when Jesus was with her and Mary. The goal of organization, especially when it comes to our homes and being good stewards of our resources, must always be to create an environment that can grow our relationship with God, our family, and others, and to leave us free to spread the Good News without having to worry about what needs to be done in our homes.
So in Numbers we see early organization, so that the Israelites can be organized and at peace, and live in an environment where they can grow in their relationship with God. When we are not organized, we are wasting our time looking for things. We have taken great care in setting our priorities and setting up a plan, writing it down, and are clear on what needs to be done. “Write down the revelation and make it plain”, and “Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance.- (Habakkuk 2:2 – CEV).
Above all the result of our organization should be peace. And we should seek organization in our lives so that we can use the gifts that God gives us effectively. God only gives us so much time here on this earth. Let us make time to be organized, use our time wisely, and be at peace. God is the God of peace. He wants us to be at peace with Him, and with each other. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – (Romans 12:18). – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – (Colossians 3:15) – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 4:7)
#Making-Good-Use-of-Our-Time-and-Environment-to-Grow-in-our-Relationship-with-God
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this great Word today. Fill our hearts with the desire to be organized, so that we can be good stewards of time, and so that we can live in an environment where we can be at peace and grow in our relationship with You. Bless us and our loved ones with all of your goodness and peace and joy. Fill our hearts with love, and our minds with wisdom to make good decisions. Let all of our actions bring glory to You Lord. We receive You and all of your Promise today, in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Today’s full reading: Numbers 1,2; Acts 24
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