Are you discouraged even as you seek to serve the Lord faithfully? Both Moses and Aaron must have felt the same way when their leadership was challenged. They needed the Lord's encouragement and it was not denied. Being so encouraged, they pressed on. If you're feeling discouraged, there's nothing like an encouraging word from the Lord.

Despite Israel’s faithlessness in the episode of the spies, God has shown himself faithful, when the promise to enter the land still stands (Numbers 15:2). But Korah took matters into his own hands, seeking the priesthood. What Korah sought by force comes by grace through Jesus Christ. Hence, there is no cause for rebellion.

Numbers 14 closes with Israel defeated, ejected out of the land, which they rejected when the ten spies brought a bad report of the land. The entire enterprise hangs in the balance. Numbers 15 opens with laws on various offerings. Huh? What an abrupt transition. Or is this there actually a message of hope within?

After receiving the reports from the 12 spies (Num 13), the people reacted negatively towards the entry to the Promised Land. They were so near to enter in, yet they forfeited the opportunity because of unbelief and disobedience. The lesson reminds us to constantly guard our hearts in our journey with God.

“Numbers 11-12 paints a disappointing picture of the people of Israel. They have now reached the edge of the land of Canaan. The spies are sent to explore it. What will they see? What will they say about what they see? “Is the land good or bad?” Behind this question, however, is another far more important question that confronts us even today.”

“Life goes on” is often used after something bad happened, and though you are troubled by it, yet you must carry on living normally. Something bad did happen one Passover. One man, Jesus, died on the cross. But on the third day, something wondrous happened and the old saying takes on fresh meaning.

• We continue reading of the sin of complaining and its consequences.

The complaints of the Jews as they were on their way to the Promised Land in Numbers 11 with its dire consequences of driving their leader Moses to despair and incurring God's wrath calls for confession and repentance because that spirit of negativism is a human deadly disposition.

From Cambridge to Kolkata to Geylang

The people of Israel were counted. The camps were organised. The order of march has been determined. The preparations are all in place. The people of Israel have spent almost a year at Sinai. They are now ready to depart. How is the journey to the Promised Land to be undertaken? How does the Lord lead His people today?