While a right focus leads to progress, endurance, and growth, the consequences of a wrong focus is a downward spiral that can end tragically.

We must carefully consider the offenses preventing the Israelites from entering the Land. That evil generation refused to trust Him, but complained continually.

We are not individually sovereign, but we are taught to give ourselves over completely to God's sovereignty. If we do, we will reap unfathomable blessings.

Our experience in overcoming and developing character will be fraught with difficulties, but God will provide the power to get through all the anguish.

'Fairness' is a major buzzword in these times. Yet our discontent over perceived mistreatment pales in comparison to what others have endured.

Americans have a high regard for free speech. God, on the other hand, shows little tolerance for incessant grumbling, complaining, murmuring, or rebellion.

What should we have on our minds as we prepare to go to the Feast of Tabernacles this year? What overall message does keeping this festival teach us?

Our expectations in this life far outstrip our needs. Compared to earlier times, our lifestyle is far superior to what most people enjoyed in the past.

Most of ancient Israel, because of their hardened hearts, did not please God. We must reflect on the the ways they stumbled so we can walk differently.

Once we accept God's sovereignty, it begins to produce certain virtues in us. Here are four of these byproducts of total submission to God.

Here are four qualities of character that our full acceptance of God's sovereignty will build and that will prepare us for whatever work God may choose for us.

The apostle Paul endured tremendous hardship, and his example teaches that we have the ability and responsibility to choose how we let circumstances affect us.

There is an aspect of God's goodness that is rarely associated with goodness. As surprising as it may seem, God's goodness can be feared!

Many people live in a state of discontent. Tragically, what they set their hearts upon often displaces the love for family and a relationship with God.

Materialism has never led to anything but increased sorrow. True lasting joy is based neither on material accumulation nor in physical accomplishments.

Because Jesus is God's Son, we can avoid the rod of His anger by paying respect with worshipful awe. We must know both His instruction and Him personally.

Pride, the father of all sins, is the source of self-exaltation, self-justification and the despising of authority. It cloaks rebellion in a deceptive appeal.

Nothing that we could ever do could impress God, except for our contrition, acknowledgment of our infirmity, and remorse for our sins which displease God.

The church has lost faith in God to work through His ministry. We must develop a balanced insight into the function of the helpers of our joy.

Those who have made a covenant with God can be corrupted unless they make a concerted effort to know God, realizing He has the right to do as He pleases.

Those who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine fail to see that God has a more extensive and creative plan for mankind than merely saving him.

Deuteronomy 16:13 and other scriptures admonish us to rejoice at the Feast of Tabernacles. How does this apply if things go wrong?

How many times has God delivered by a way we never expected? Moses was probably ignorant of how God would save Israel, but he had the faith that He would!

I John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.

Anxious care and foreboding are debilitating and faith-destroying. Meditating on what God has already done strengthens our faith and trust in God.

What does the Bible mean when it says we should count it all joy when you fall into various trials? What is this joy we must experience, and how do we come by it?

Because God is completely just, we have an obligation to be content with what He has given us, to allow Him to use us for whatever purpose He desires.

God has never given mankind the prerogative to determine whether war is just or not. God has promised to protect us, conditioned on our obedience to our covenant.

God's highest goal is not salvation, but sanctification into godly character, leading to membership in His family as co-rulers with Jesus Christ.

God has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.

Do we thank God daily for all His blessings? Do we thank Him for only the nice things? He wants us to thank Him for His benefits, mercy, and graciousness.

Robbing God extends far beyond the neglect of tithes and offerings, but also includes ignoring God and neglecting to thank Him for the plethora of blessings.

At the end of Malachi, the priests make seven feeble queries, questioning God's providence and His faithfulness, asking what good it does to be godly.

Like the ancient Israelites, we sometimes come to yearn for our previous bondage. If we understood God's purpose for us, we would live entirely differently.

If we, like Israel of old, choose to sin, we will receive the same consequence. Two thirds of the book of Numbers emphasizes that if we sin, we die.

Our hope is based on having a living Savior. At times we are discouraged and overwhelmed, but God has not left us—though unseen, He is in the trials with us.

While there may be reasons to become depressed, there is no reason to stay depressed, realizing that God is with us the whole way.

We live daily in uncharted territory, but the sobering account in Numbers provides a roadmap, establishing God's pattern of judging our pilgrimage conduct.

We need to give thanks for everything, blessings and trials. Christianity ought to be an exhilarating experience, but it depends on our outlook on life.