Today’s Reading:
Read Numbers 29:39-40; 31:1-6
The Israelites about to enter Canaan were not the same people who left Egypt. Remember, it had been 40 years since they left Egypt. The Israelites now were the children of the people who had left Egypt, and they were now ready to claim what God had promised His people.
It wasn’t quite time yet, though! God would use Moses to remind them of His covenant with them. Moses reminded the people of the importance of the Sabbath, the festivals, offerings and sacrifices.
God allowed Moses one more chance to lead the Israelites to victory before he “gathers him to his people” (Numbers 31:1). Moses was about to die, but God let him help the Israelites one more time. As the Israelites approached Canaan, many of the cities around them had heard of God’s promise to them and also how God had provided for them. Those cities were prepared to fight Israel to keep them from claiming the Promised Land. Midian was one of those cities. God gave the Israelites victory over the Midianites. God always keeps His promises and he always provides.
Application/Prayer:
The story of the Israelites reminds us that doing what God calls us to do is important, but following God’s call is not always easy. I mean, the Israelites are fighting wars in order to get to the Promised Land. Can you think of other examples of people who did what God asked them to do even though they faced challenges along the way? (Noah, Joseph, Job, Moses). Thank God that we can trust Him even when His plan is hard to follow.
March Memory Verse:
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4
Using the daily reading prompts from George H. Guthrie’s Read the Bible for Life, here’s how to use this devotional:
- Bring your Bible! Your kids need to see that everything you are reading to them or learning about comes from an actual Bible!
- Each day starts with a reading prompt. Read the selection as a family. If your kids are readers, encourage them to read along with you.
- After you’ve read the passage, read the short devotional thought that goes along with each passage.
- Prayer and application are important any time we read God’s word! After each devotional, there is a challenge to help apply what your family has read that day.
- There is a reading for six days of the week. The last reading of the week is a Gospel Conversation Prompt to help you connect the reading from the week with God’s plan for salvation.
Other Resources:
March memory verse coloring sheet