Make a Trumpet

Scripture: And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. Numbers 10:9

Observation: The very last thing God has the Israelites do in Sinai before heading to the promised land is make trumpets - ceremonial trumpets that will be used in celebration and in war in order to connect with God. After the Israelites refuse to enter the promised land and instead are forced to wander in the wilderness 40 years, when they finally to enter the land, the very first thing they will do is ... use the sound of trumpets to conquer Jericho.

While they are different trumpets (two silver horns compared to seven rams horns), the connection is still there. God thought through what it was that the people would need, and prepared it in advance, so that later his will could be accomplished. The order to this is important:

-- God makes us a promise.
-- God knows what will be needed in the future.
-- God instructs us to prepare, work, and obey.
-- In the future, that which we have prepared is required for God's work.
-- When the work is given to God, God's will is accomplished and we receive his promise.

Application: Do I know what God has promised me, and what work I must be doing to prepare for that? I think I tend to focus on just doing work it seems I have been told to do, and forgetting to focus on his promises.

The truth is, outside of eternal life promised through Jesus, I do not know God's promises for me. I have never heard him make me a promise, or show me a future. I know he has blessed me beyond measure ... if my current life were his intended promise for me, it would certainly be more than enough and much more than I am worthy to receive. However, I don't really know his plans for me. I don't know what my work is preparing for (not that we should understand the connections ... no one understood that horns would destroy city walls). I don't hold onto a promise from God for my life on earth, only to his promise for my eternal soul.

I believe this is something I should be reflecting on this week ...

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know your love is abundant and your ways are great, and that you have a plan and purpose for my life. I have no idea what that is, but I totally trust it. If you are willing, I would welcome knowledge about the promise and purpose you have for me. If you are not willing, I am completely happy trusting in you, seeing just the path ahead of my next step, and following you. Amen.