Numbers 15-16, Mark 6

One thing that I have learned from this "training log" that I wasn't necessarily expecting, is that although I started a blog to give me some public accountability, but what I have learned is that doing a journal like this forces me (if that's the right word) to think about what I'm reading and what it's teaching me about the character of God and how to live my life in a way that pleases him.

Numbers 15 and 16 is the story of a man who gathered firewood on the Sabbath and the Lord commanded that he be stoned to death for his disobedience. The next story is the story of a rebellion against Moses and Aaron where God caused the earth to open up and swallow the rebel men and their families. When this happened the Israelites didn't repent, they grumbled against Moses and Aaron saying "You have killed the Lord's people". God made straight who were his people by striking them with a plague that killed 14,700 people.

This is on the heels of the story of the spies sent to look at the land they were heading two where only two of the twelve spies had faith that the Lord could give the land to them, all the rest thought the people already there were too powerful for them. These people experienced the 10 plagues in Egypt and the parting of the red sea. It causes me to think of times when I doubt. Times when I say "I know the Lord was faithful before, but this is different. I'm not sure I can trust him with this."

Mark 6 has the story of Jesus walking on the water to meet the disciples. Vs 51-52 says "Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."

What? The disciples, who had witness miracle and miracle and heard as he preached wisdom to the people. The disciples, who had just gotten back from a mission to preach repentance where they also were given the ability to drive out demons and heal sick people. Their hearts were hardened?

Lord, open my eyes and heart so that I am not like the Israelites or the disciples: witnessing your power but not believing. Help me to believe.