“Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.” Numbers 25:1-3 NKJV
“And it came to pass, after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying: 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and above, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go to war in Israel.” 26:1-2 NKJV
“These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they numbered the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” So there was not left a man of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” Numbers 26:63-65 NKJV
Father God,
A whole generation of men and women never got to see the promised land because they broke covenant with You God. Not just once but many many times. Back in Numbers 14 when 10 of the 12 spies persuaded them they could not take the promised land Moses had pleaded with You God not to wipe them all out. You promised that the generation born in the wilderness would step into their inheritance. And here we see the last of the original generation dying out. Just Joshua whose leadership, wisdom and relationship with You would be essential and Caleb whse knowledge of battle and strategy would also be invaluable would survive.
We too need to allow the next generation to arise and prepare for the way forward. And they need to value the wisdom and knowledge of those experienced in the Your ways. Perfect holiness we cannot achieve, it is a gift from the Holy One, Your Son Jesus. But persistent willful sin? Keep us from it. Keep us doing our best moving forward, trusting You for the rest and encouraging those who will continue after us. As they had a promised land ahead – so do we. A new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). And we pray for our sons and daughters who do not want to know Jesus yet . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 19th February 2026
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above him there’s no other Jesus is the way
Repeat three times times
If you have some questions in the corners of your mind
And traces of discouragement and peace you cannot find
Reflections of the old past, they seem to face you everyday
There’s one thing i know for sure that Jesus is away
Chorus
I know you’ve got some mountains that you think you cannot climb
I know sometimes your skies have been dark, you think the sun won’t shine
In case you don’t know, let me tell you the word of god is true
And everything he’s promised, I know he will do for you
Chorus
The truth and the life, Jesus is the way
The answer to all our problems Jesus is the way
Lyrics: Andrae Crouch