From Egypt Until Now

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Pete

As I read Numbers 14 this morning, if I had to put myself into the story, if I had to pick one of the cast members that I thought probably was there to reflect me, I’m not sure I’d like where I landed.

Certainly not Moses. And, though I’d like to think that Joshua or Caleb represent the material I’m made of, that might be a bit of a stretch. And so, I’m left with “the people” — the rank and file . . . the average Joe amidst the people of God — as the ones that serve as my mirror. The weary and the worn. The grumblers and those who think way too often, “Let’s just go back.”

They’re on the outskirts of the promised land — aka the land promised by God — the land that He said He would give to them (Num. 13:2). So God says to Moses, send 12 guys to go check it out. And they do, for 40 days. And they come back and report out that the land is beautiful, it’s bountiful, but its inhabitants are big. For most of them, way too big! While Caleb and Joshua are ready to go and take the land, the other 10 say, “Nope. Too big. Too hard. Can’t be done.” And the people (my people?) go with the majority.

And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? . . . ” And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

(Numbers 14:2-4 ESV)

Wrong thing to say. The glory appears. And the God of glory says to Moses, in effect, “I think I’m done with this people.” And Moses the intercessor says, in effect, “LORD, for the sake of Your Name — for the sake of Your glory, You can’t be done with this people” (Num. 14:11-18).

“Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of Your steadfast love, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”

(Numbers 14:19 ESV)

From Egypt until now . . . That’s the phrase I’m chewing on this morning.

From Egypt until now . . . From the moment of deliverance, along the way of sojourning to the destination, Father You have been pardoning the iniquity of this pilgrim, one of the people.

Because of Your steadfast love, Your grace has over-flowed. Though You have rescued the boy out of the world, this journey continues to reveal how hard it is to remove the world from out of the boy. And through it all, You have forgiven . . . from Egypt until now.

Oh, how thankful I am for a God who is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression” (Num. 14:18) . . . from Egypt until now.

We’re not home yet. But almost. Not without sin yet. But if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin (1John 1:9).

From Egypt until now . . .

By His grace. For His glory.

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Vigilant 50+

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Pete

Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, what began as an ad campaign, became, for many, a life’s goal. Freedom 55.

The idea was that with the right investments (and the right company to invest them with, of course) one could retire from working and be “free” from full-time jobs and pursue whatever would allow them to “live happily ever after.” And for many, retiring at 55 became their life’s objective.

As I read in Numbers this morning, it’s another retirement plan that captures my thoughts. Vigilant 50+.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

(Numbers 8:23-26 ESV)

Keeping guard . . . being aware, taking heed, circumspect, attentive . . . literally, “to hedge about” . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Twenty-five years. That was the career of a Levite. Twenty-five years, then forced retirement. Twenty-five years — “That’s a lot of slicing and dicing”, as an old buddy of mine would say. And not just butchering sacrifices, but setting-up and tearing-down the tabernacle. Loading it up and moving it with carts and oxen, and for some, carrying the “holy things” on their shoulders (Num. 7:9). Heavy labor over many miles while sojourning in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. Thus, twenty-five years and then . . . they shall do no service.

But at 50, they didn’t retire and were free to do whatever they wanted. While at 50 they would do no service, they were still expected to minister to their brothers and be found keeping guard. They may have retired from active service, but they were always enlisted for protective service. Still found around the tabernacle. Still helping out. And with a vigilance and a wisdom and awareness born from years of experience. Remaining engaged. Wanting the holy to remain holy. Wanting the next gen to rightly carry the baton. Always keeping guard.

Vigilant 50+. A “retirement program” instructive for us senior saints?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. Forever for His glory.

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Let’s Go to Work

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Pete

They never knew what it was to go look for a job. Never had to apply for a position. Never had to wonder what to do after waking up every morning. They just went to work. For they had been “brought near” the Lord and “set before” the High Priest. They were the Levites. And they were not their own.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be Mine, for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for My own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be Mine: I am the LORD.”

(Numbers 3:11-13 ESV)

The Levites shall be Mine, for all the firstborn are Mine . . . That’s the meal for the morning.

More than just stand ins, the Levites were substitutes. Substitutes for the firstborn of Israel — those who, on the night of deliverance from Egypt, were redeemed by blood (Ex. 12). And so, Moses was told by the Lord to “bring the tribe of Levi near” and to “set them before Aaron the priest” (Num. 3:5-6) — the language of bringing an offering, of presenting a sacrifice — because they were to take the place of those who had been bought out of slavery. And so, says the LORD, “They shall be Mine.”

And as I mull over those words, other words echo in my mind . . . “You are not your own”.

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

(1Corinthians 6:19b-20 ESV)

Not your own. For they shall be mine.

Bought with a price. Ransomed not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1Peter 1:18-19).

So glorify God. No need to wonder what to do after waking up each morning. No need to apply for the position. For I have been brought near and set before the Lord — by the grace of the Father, because of the finished work of the Son, through the life-giving power of the Spirit.

I am His.

And He is mine.

So, let’s go to work.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Always Facing the Glory

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Pete

They couldn’t get close — something I read said about 3 football fields away — but they could get centered. Too dangerous to be adjacent, but too important not to be aligned. While they couldn’t go face-to-face with the glory of God, they were expected to be facing it.

The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.”

(Numbers 2:1-2 ESV)

Facing the tent of meeting . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The tent of meeting. The place where the glory of God dwelt in the midst of His people. A pillar of cloud over it by day, a pillar of fire by night. The place where “the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex. 33:11), yet the place from which the rank-and-file needed to keep their distance. But distance didn’t preclude direction.

When it was time for Israel to pitch its collective tents at night, the Levites camped around the tabernacle — “so that there may be no wrath on the congregation” (Num. 21:53) — and the twelve tribes camped around the Levites. Three tribes to the east of the tent of meeting, three tribes to the south, three tribes to the west and three tribes to the north. All at a distance, lest the glory consume them, and yet all to be directed — facing the tent of meeting.

Every tent flap from the 186,000+ tents of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun pointed towards the west. All the front doors of the 151,000+ tents of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad opening towards the north. Each front porch of the 108,000+ front porches of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin pointing east. All the welcome mats of the 157,000+ homes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali welcoming to the south. Everyone — like, everyone — facing the tent of meeting.

How big a deal was being oriented to the place where the glory of God dwelt? Pretty big!

And it would continue throughout Israel’s history. When they prayed, wherever they prayed from, they would face Jerusalem, the place where the temple stood and the glory of God dwelt. Such a big deal for the ancient people of God to camp facing the tent of meeting.

And I think to myself, “Self, why are you so not concerned with facing the right way when it comes to facing the glory?” Because . . .

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

(2Corinthians 4:6 ESV)

In Christ, I’m always aligned to the glory. Not from afar, but up close and personal. Me abiding in Him, and He in me (Jn. 15:4). Not needing to face the tent but resting and rejoicing in the reality that I am the tent (1Cor. 3:16-17).

Able always to be centered. To be aligned. To be near. Always able to be facing the glory as, through my union with Christ, by faith I can look into the face of Jesus.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Kids Keep Singing (2014 Remix)

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Pete

Hear the word “Hosanna” and most of us will go immediately to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Cloaks spread on the road . . . branches cut from trees and laid before this One coming to them humbly, mounted on a donkey — the coming king foretold by Zechariah (9:9) and the other prophets.

The crowds surrounding Him . . . shouting at the top of their lungs, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9).

But as I was reading in Matthew this morning, I was surprised at a second mention of a choir of people crying “Hosanna.” The din of the crowds having died off, there was still a small group who continued the “Hosanna” rhythm after He entered the temple area. A small group . . . literally . . . as in a group of small people. The kids keep singing . . .

And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise’?”

(Matthew 21:14-16 ESV)

You can imagine that those who had been singing the song outside the temple started losing the tune when they started seeing Jesus turn the place upside down — like literally turning the place upside down. Jesus is overturning tables and flipping over chairs. Change is bouncing off the pavement. Animals are bleating in excitement. Pigeons are in a flap. Not hard to imagine a bit of chaos in this place of unholy commerce.

And then there’s the disapproving presence of the priests and scribes as they cast a steely glance at this Jesus of Nazareth. Already determined to find a way to put him to death, you can just see in their hardened faces that they are done with Him. So, I’m guessing the song has died out and the crowd has stopped singing altogether. No more, “Hosanna!” from this group.

But not the kids. The kids keep singing.

The children, having seen the “wonderful things” Jesus’ was doing — having taken note of His healing of the blind and lame — take up the song the adults have determined is no longer politically correct. Amidst the chaos of the cleansing of the temple and despite the cold, condemning eyes of the religious leaders — even though the crowd has gone silent — the kids keep the chorus going, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” And so, the praise continues, ordained of God, prepared for the kids.

I imagine they cried out with joy and excitement. The same way you hear a kid crying out, “Again!” as you push them on a swing or give them some other ride. “Again!”

In this case though, the children are not asking to receive something more. Instead, they delight in giving something more — adoration to the One who is worthy of all adoration. They desire to declare the Name of Him whose name is Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace. Their joy is in offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of their lips, a sweet-smelling aroma offered to heaven’s portal. All out of the mouths of babes.

Undistracted by the activity. Undaunted by the animosity.

Though the crowds have gone quite . . . the kids keep singing!

O’ that I might be such a kid. The song fresh despite the circumstance. The voice determined regardless of disapproval. The praise which God has prepared for me to deliver, offered wholeheartedly.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Crossing the Fault Line

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Pete

At first, it might seem counterintuitive. But as I hover over part of my reading in Matthew 18 this morning, I’m thinking that if those of us in the church talked more about other believers’ sins, we’d have a closer, tighter, more transparent and authentic fellowship.

I’m not saying that we should all want the “gift of judging” others. I’m not saying that ours is to call out every sin we perceive in a brother or sister. Actually, it’s a pretty limited set of sins we’d be talking about.

And, I’m not saying that this would be a public calling out. I’m not talking about online posts, or offline gossiping or politicking. Not a crowd-sourced condemnation for the purposes of cancellation. Instead, it would be a private, loving, gentle conversation with the desire for reconciliation.

Oh, and one more thing . . . I don’t’ think it’s optional.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 18:15 ESV)

Go and tell him his fault . . . That’s the command-to-obey I’m chewing on this morning. I’m not focused on the escalation (v. 16-17), just noodling on the initiation.

Long ago, I learned from some teacher or some commentary that what is translated as “if” could equally be translated as “since”. So, the possibility of a brother or sister sinning “against you” is really less about an unlikely “if” than it is an unsurprisingly “when.” Put a bunch of sinners saved by grace — who are battling the old nature every day when they wake up –together in community, and how likely is it that someone’s gonna sin against someone else? Pretty likely.

When that happens . . . go and tell them their fault.

Don’t go tell everyone else, keep it between you and them alone. And this isn’t about cataloguing all their faults; it’s just a conversation about that fault against you. Because it’s not about “giving it” to your brother, it’s about gaining your brother. It’s not about fracturing fellowship — that’s what sin wants to do. Instead, it’s about building up the fellowship. Reinforcing real relationship through reconciling, grace-filled conversations about things we’d just as soon avoid talking about. Things when not discussed will, over time, inevitably fracture the fellowship.

Seems to me that we (aka me) need to be willing to cross the fault line with one another.

Only by God’s grace.

To show a fractured world authentic unity for God’s glory.

Amen?

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A Conversion Thing or A Sanctification Thing?

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Pete

Hovering over the opening verses of Matthew 18 this morning and I’m struck that while as parents (and grandparents) we’re focused on wanting our kids to grow up, the Father wants His to “grow down.” And I’m asking myself, is that a conversion thing or a sanctification thing?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to Him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 18:1-3 ESV)

Turn and become like children . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

At first, it sounds like a command to obey, something I must do. But with a little digging, the word “turn” is in what’s called the “Passive Voice” which “represents the subject as being the recipient of the action.” That’s why the NASB and the NKJV translate it as “unless you are converted.” While we all need to repent and “turn”, only God can change the heart.

But with a little more digging, the word “become” is, in all likelihood, in the “Active Voice” where “the subject is the doer or performer of the action.” So, if I’m picking up what Jesus is laying down, entering the kingdom of heaven is not just a matter of being turned — a “born again” once forever work of conversion, but it’s also a matter of becoming like — an on-going work of sanctification.

Becoming like children . . . an on-gong work of sanctification . . . hmm . . .

Do I see that as part of the Spirit’s lifelong work in me? Do I think of it as part of what submitting to the Spirit’s work involves? I’ve spent so much of my life trying to “grow up”, am I really ready to “grow down”? Thinkin’ I should be . . .

Sounds kind of humbling, doesn’t it? It’s meant to be . . .

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus

(Matthew 18:14 ESV)

Buckle up for growing in humility. And don’t be surprised if growing a little in humility is going to come about at the expense of going through a certain amount of humiliation. If becoming more mature in the faith doesn’t look a lot like becoming increasingly meeker in the fray. If increasing doesn’t look a lot like decreasing.

Becoming like children . . . A conversion thing or a sanctification thing?

Yes.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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A Sighing Savior

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Pete

I hover over the words and there’s a bit of a feeling of discomfort. And I say to myself, “Self, how come? Do you really want a monotone Jesus?”

I’m reading in Matthew 17 this morning where the “thrill of victory” from the high experienced on the Mount of Transfiguration is immediately followed by the “agony of defeat” encountered through the low of being stymied by a demon. While three of the disciples were facedown amidst the glory, the others were red-faced before the darkness. And while Jesus said to the three, “Fear not”, with the others He seems frustrated. And that’s where my discomfort comes in.

And when [Jesus, Peter, James, and John] came [down from the mountain] to the crowd, a man came up to Him and, kneeling before Him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”

(Matthew 17:14-17 ESV)

“O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?”

“How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this?” (MSG)

How can you read those red-lettered words in your bible and not be taken back a bit? How do you not hear the frustration,the exasperation, and the weariness? And this from the Son of God.

Hover over it. Chew on it. And tell me you’re not tempted (at least a bit) to just wanna move on from it. But pause — behold your sighing Savior.

My discomfort comes because I know what frustration can fuel within me. I cringe because I recall how my exasperation has too often been expressed. I want to skim past this because I know that so often my weariness has led to inappropriate words.

But thank God, I’m not the starting point when it comes to Jesus.

Jesus is the starting point when it comes to Jesus. The holy Son of God fully entering into the human condition and human experience.

And because He has been frustrated, He understands my frustrations. Because He has thrown up His hands in a situation, he gets it when my hands go up. But because He did so without sin, “perfectly” frustrated and without spot in His exasperation, He can cover me with His righteousness and forgive me for my failure.

No monotone Jesus here. But a reminder that a sighing Savior is a saving Savior.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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Bring It

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Pete

Started in on Leviticus this morning. Whole lotta burnin’ goin’ on. Different types of sacrifices, one common destination — “the altar that is at the entrance to the tent of meeting” (Lev. 1:3). And what becomes clearer to me is that, at the heart of these sacrifices, there’s a lot more than just a destination involved, there’s a determination. A determination to bring it.

The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.

“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD.”

(Leviticus 1:1-3 ESV)

When any one of your brings an offering . . . bring your offering . . . bring it . . .

Not just about making a delivery but about drawing near. Not just a drop off at some remote depot where the offering can get picked up and taken for processing. But a desire for closeness to God, the offering brought to the doorstep of the place where the glory dwells. You know, the tent of meeting, the place filled with the glory of God, the place where the presence of God could be known (Ex. 40:34-35).

So, bring it. Approach. Draw near. Let the offering be what brings you up close. Let it cause you to be present.

Not just a ritual but a pleasing aroma (Lev. 1:9, 13, 17). Not just a duty but a delight. Not because of our own offering, but through Another’s. Not content with just the entrance but longing to enter the holy of holies.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

(Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV)

Let us draw near . . .

Bring it . . .

To experience His grace. To know His glory.

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Behold, They Had Done It

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Pete

My grandson gets a kick out of completing a Lego kit. At his age, they’re small and simple projects (not yet ready for a 1,500-piece Mustang or a 3,600-piece Star Trek Enterprise), yet they still require him to sort the pieces, follow the instructions, and (at least to a certain degree) maintain focus. I mostly hang around for moral support as he works his way, page by page, through the instruction booklet. I always get a kick out of seeing him snap that last piece in place. That look of joy from his sense of accomplishment is pretty cool. Perhaps a bit reflective of the feeling in the air when the tent of meeting was assembled for the first time in Exodus 39 and 40.

Over 2,000 pounds of gold . . . 7,500+ pounds of silver . . . 5,300 pounds of bronze, along with unmeasured amounts of material for weaving curtains and tailoring garments. Along with thread galore for embroidering in fine detail heavenly images. All the materials needed to fashion all the pieces commanded. And then, it’s assembled per the instructions provided by the God who had determined that this was to be the place where His glory fell — the place where the glory dwelt. What was the sense of joy and accomplishment like when the last pieces were put in place? Pretty cool, I’m guessing.

But as I read of that “pretty cool” instance, I’m struck by some words that I think are pretty significant.

According to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel had done all the work. And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.

(Exodus 39:42-43 ESV)

Behold, they had done it . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

As great an accomplishment as it was — and though there would be Solomon’s bigger and better and more permanent and less transient 2.0 version, the temple — the tabernacle in the wilderness was at best temporary, a stop-gap measure. While it would provide for God’s presence in their midst through repeated, short-lived atonement for their sin, it wasn’t the final, eternal solution. Though it provided a place for God to meet with man, it came up short for providing a way for man to abide with God. It was limited because behold, they had done it.

For sure, they had done it just as God had commanded, but still, it was they who had done it.

I read those words, “behold, they had done it“, and there’s a familiar ring to them. A ring reminding me of declarations of another work completed. Another work opening the way for God to be in the midst.

A work prophesied at the conclusion of the Messianic, twenty-second psalm:

Posterity shall serve Him;
       it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
they shall come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn,
       that He has done it.

(Psalm 22:30-31 ESV)

A work completed, and poignantly recorded, at the conclusion of the Messiah’s earthly life:

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

(John 19:30 ESV)

Jesus, the true and final and eternal temple — that temple that was destroyed and raised again three days later (Jn. 2:19-21). Jesus, through whom the foreshadowed once forever sacrifice of a lamb and the eternal intercession of a holy priest was fulfilled (Jn. 1:29, Heb. 2:17, 4:14-15, 7:25-26). Jesus, in whom the glory dwells and through whom the glory tabernacles among us (Jn. 1:14a). Just as Moses and Co. could look upon the cloud hovering over the tent of meeting and see something of the Father’s glory, in the Son we behold the radiance of the glory of God (Jn. 1:4b, Heb. 1:1-3). All possible because He hae done it and it is finished.

Behold, they had done it! Amazing.

Behold, He has done it! Amazing-er! Jaw dropping. Worship evoking.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

All by His grace. All for His glory.

Amen?

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