https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Psalm+67%3B+Numbers+27
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 13 April 2025:
Listen to this message from John Piper on Evangelism and Missions from Psalm 67 — https://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/light-heat-2011-national-conference/evangelism-missions
Psalm 67:1-3 — May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Is your primary prayer that God’s grace and blessings upon your life will cause you to radiate His glory and character to those around you so they would also come to know Him and praise Him? Or is your prayer to be blessed primarily for your benefit, comfort, and security?
The psalms prays for a relationship with God which would make God known to others, but also notice that the psalmist didn’t say, “May God be gracious to me and make His face to shine upon me….” No, he said, “us.” There is no such thing as a loner Christian. A member of a body that is detached from the body cannot serve its purpose or continue to live.
Compare the psalmist’s song to Jesus prayer before going to the Cross – “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:22-23) Jesus’ prayer for us was that we would be one with Him, both individually and collectively. Why? “That the world may know….” What does the world learn about Jesus observing your life and how you relate with fellow Christians?
Psalm 67:7 — God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Again, our goal is that our lives would be used by God to turn the whole world to Jesus Christ. Don’t let anything about you distract people from Jesus. It is not about you. It is all about Jesus. Also, appreciate that a small but faithful local church can and should have a global impact. The brighter the light, the further it can be seen. What role are you playing in your church to fulfill the Great Commission.
- Matthew 28:18–20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….”
- Mark 16:15 — He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
- Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Romans 10:13–15 — For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?… And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
- Revelation 7:9 — After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb….
Numbers 27:14-17 — “You also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes…. Moses said to the LORD, ‘May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
Moses had the heart of a true leader. He had just been told by the Lord that it was his time to die — he would not lead the people into the Promised Land because Moses had failed. Moses didn’t complain, blame-shift or defend himself before the Lord. Rather, Moses’ immediate concern was for the people and their welfare. Moses asked God to provide the people with a leader who would ‘shepherd’ them because Moses had the heart of a shepherd. As someone once said, “If you can’t stand the smell of sheep, you can’t be a shepherd.” These people were hard to lead, constantly drifting into sinful, destructive practices, often rebelling against Moses himself, even threatening his life more than once. In fact, as today’s verses point out, it was the quarrelling of the congregation that incited Moses to temporarily lose his temper and dishonor God. Yet Moses remained committed to them. There aren’t many leaders like Moses. Of course, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Despite our infidelity, Jesus remains faithful. It is His leadership we seek to emulate.
Numbers 27:18 — Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
Joshua was God’s choice to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land; Moses didn’t choose Joshua, God did. Joshua was uniquely qualified for the job. First and foremost, he was filled with the Spirit. True leaders are led by the Spirit and lead by the Spirit for God’s glory. So, true leaders are followers, guided by the Spirit. And true leaders are always leading others closer to Jesus as their ministry of reconciliation. Someone once said, “Leaders know the way and show the way.” Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)
Of note, Joshua’s name means, “The Lord is Salvation,” and is the Hebrew version of “Jesus.”
Joshua was a man of great experience, character, competence and commitment. For 40 years Joshua served as Moses’ faithful aide, commanded the Israelites’ victory over Amalek, and was one of the two spies (Caleb the other) that encouraged the Israelites to enter the Promised Land in faith, despite the strength of their enemies. He served the Lord wholeheartedly and was a great example to others.
People and nations need mighty, faithful leaders such as Joshua who are led by the Spirit and equipped with character and competence. Who are the Joshuas of today?
Numbers 27:18 — So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.”
Many theologians refer to the new covenant era as “the age of the Spirit,” and with good reason. Since Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41), the Holy Spirit has been poured out in a new and powerful way upon all who belong to Christ. However, this doesn’t mean the Spirit was absent or inactive during the old covenant period. Rather, His presence and ministry were real then—just expressed differently than today.
The Holy Spirit has always been the One who brings spiritual life. Jesus expected Nicodemus, a respected teacher of Israel, to already grasp that the Spirit must bring about new birth (John 3:1–15). In both covenants, it is the Spirit who grants faith: in the old covenant, faith in God’s promises yet to be fulfilled; in the new, faith in the accomplished work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8).
Though the Spirit regenerated hearts under the old covenant, His empowerment and gifting were more selective. For example, Joshua is uniquely described as a man “in whom is the Spirit” (Numbers 27:18)—a phrase reserved for a few special leaders, such as Joseph (Genesis 41:38) and David (1 Samuel 16:13). These were exceptional, Spirit-filled individuals raised up for Israel’s leadership.
But in the new covenant, the Spirit is poured out on all believers, not just leaders. As Paul explains, the love of God has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). And John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize His followers with “the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11), signifying a universal and refining work among God’s people.
Although Christians today may go through seasons of doubt or feel distant from the Spirit, the scope and reach of the Spirit’s ministry is clearly broader and more intense in this age. A compelling example of this is the global gathering of Gentile believers. Unlike in the old covenant, where Israel largely remained distinct, now people from every nation are being drawn to God through the gospel and the work of the Spirit (Acts 15:1–11).
Despite its flaws, the church today is actively functioning as a light to the nations, something old covenant Israel often failed to achieve.
The church still wrestles with sin and imperfection. But even so, it is clear that God has granted to His new covenant people a deeper, more widespread experience of the Spirit. The global diversity and spiritual vitality of the church are evidence of that.
Under the new covenant, all believers receive the Holy Spirit—not only for personal renewal but for global mission. What was once reserved for a few is now poured out on many. This truth is foundational to the Christian life. Every believer, upon placing their faith in Jesus Christ, receives the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). The same Spirit who empowered prophets, kings, and apostles is now poured out upon all who belong to Christ (Acts 2:17-18). Yet, though we all have the Holy Spirit, we do not always walk in the fullness of His power.
Believers are warned throughout the New Testament not to hinder the Spirit’s work in their lives:
“How much worse punishment… for the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God… and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29) The worst case are those apostates who persistently and willful make a habit of sinning after knowing the truth—treating God’s grace with contempt.
- 1 John 3:6, 9, 10 — No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him…. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) We quench the Spirit when we suppress His promptings—choosing comfort, sin, or fear instead of obedience, worship, and bold faith.
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30) We grieve the Spirit through bitterness, slander, impurity, unforgiveness, and disunity—anything that contradicts His holy nature.
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) The Spirit leads, but we must choose to follow with every step. Distractions, compromise, and spiritual laziness break rhythm with Him.
There is a temptation in the church today to exalt gifting over godliness—to pursue the impressive displays of the Spirit (like prophecy, healing, tongues) while neglecting the character of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22–23: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The gifts of the Spirit include wisdom, knowledge, healing, faith, prophecy, and more (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). But fruit must come before function. The gifts mean nothing without the fruit. Paul makes this brutally clear in: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong… if I have prophetic powers… but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Jesus said those who abide in Him bear the fruit of His Spirit, and apart from Him, whatever you think you are doing is really nothing at all, dead works. (see John 15) Works without fruit are not coming from the Spirit of God but rather the spirit of the world, the flesh. There are many very talented people out there, but what the world needs isn’t more talented people but rather more faithful people, empowered by supernatural power far more powerful than their natural abilities.
Samson is a tragic example of someone anointed with supernatural gifts but who lacked spiritual fruit. His strength was unmatched, but his pride, lust, and disobedience led to devastation—not only for himself but for many others (Judges 13–16). He serves as a warning: spiritual power without spiritual maturity leads to ruin.
- Matthew 7:16-20 — “You will recognize them by their fruits… Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
When Christians operate in “giftings” but lack the fruit of the Spirit, it becomes nothing more than an empty shell of true godliness, “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:5) This is religion without regeneration. Ministry without humility. Futile power without purity. When we walk in step with the Spirit, producing His fruit and stewarding His gifts, the result is unmistakable: supernatural impact that can only be explained by God.
- John 15:5 — Apart from Me you can do nothing.
- Philippians 2:13 — For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
What we do in the Spirit is not merely impressive—it’s impossible without God. That’s why Paul says: “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) Again, the world doesn’t need to see one more talented, polished, charismatic Christian. The world needs to see what God can do through a faithful, yielded vessel. Let us not settle for gifting without godliness, or power without purity. Let us not quench, grieve, or resist the Spirit, but walk in step with Him—bearing fruit that lasts and exercising gifts that build up the body. When we manifest the Spirit rightly, our lives shout: “This is not me—this is God!” And there is no limit to what He can do through someone fully surrendered. Let us rejoice in the privilege of living in this Spirit-filled age and seek to glorify God by bearing fruit and spreading His light. Our response should be twofold: first, gratitude for the Spirit’s ongoing work, and second, willingness to be used to help expand God’s kingdom. May we walk by the Spirit, serve in His strength, and point the nations to Christ.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 13 April 2025: Today, seek the Spiritual fruit, which can only come from being essentially connected to the Vine (John 15) and which will come naturally from the Vine, before seeking spiritual gifts and blessings. Remember, when a branch produces fruit, it gets nothing from the fruit but the fulfillment of serving its purpose of spreading the life of the Vine into the world around it. Any gift God gives you cannot be for you and still be fruitful. You aren’t truly living until you completely give your life away.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 