“Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to bring you twelve wooden staffs, one from each leader of Israel’s ancestral tribes, and inscribe each leader’s name on his staff. 3 Inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of the tribe of Levi, for there must be one staff for the leader of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark containing the tablets of the Covenant, where I meet with you. 5 Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose. Then I will finally put an end to the people’s murmuring and complaining against you.” 6 So Moses gave the instructions to the people of Israel, and each of the twelve tribal leaders, including Aaron, brought Moses a staff. 7 Moses placed the staffs in the Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant. 8 When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds!” Numbers 17:1-8 NLT
Lord of the last word,
I love that You stood up not just for the down trodden, derided Aaron but for Your own name. This time not with fire or judgement but with growth and life where You speak it. I can still remember reading this budding staff scripture for the first time, as a new believer, and being amazed. After all the judgement and death You show Your people that You will justify those who follow and serve You. They will not have it easy and Aaron surely did not. I am sure when Moses begged him to speak for him to Pharaoh he had no idea what it would lead to.
But there it was not only green shoots, buds, blossoms but actual ripe almonds. It is a miracle and I believe in miracles Lord. You are the one to instigate them and bring them to pass. I do not believe they ended. Sending Your Son was the greatest miracle ever. No, perhaps His resurrection from the dead was greater.
The budding staff gave Aaron, assurance, encouragement and confidence after all the jealousy and antagonism. Help us be assured, encouraged and confident today as we serve You in whatever we do. Thank You for the miracles that still happen in our world and our lives and most of all thank You for Jesus. You will always have the last word.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 9th March 2025
You are here, You’re moving in our midst
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, You’re working in this place
I worship You, I worship You
You are ,Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness, my God
That is who You are
You are here turning lives around
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, healing every heart
I worship You, I worship You
Chorus
That is who You are
That is who You are
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working
Chorus
That is who You are . . .
Lyrics: Osinachi Okoro