Bible Reading: Numbers 10 | Galatians 4 | Psalm 123

Devotional for June 25, 2025
Reading: Numbers 10 | Galatians 4 | Psalm 123
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Numbers 10

There are several direct connections between the instructions given in Numbers 10 and those of our Christian life, particularly in corporate worship. Observe that the entire chapter is framed in the presence of God, and it is that presence we experience each Lord’s Day when we gather as an assembly of the redeemed. Still, it also carries significant elements for the Christian life between worship services.

10:1-10

This section of the 10th chapter of Numbers highlights the means God uses to call the people (“summoning them”), and move them (“breaking camp”). The means God chose to use are two silver trumpets. According to the historian Josephus, the silver trumpets were “just over a foot in length and flared.” It may be helpful to illustrate their purpose by drawing attention to the Kentucky Derby. Each year, a man takes a trumpet and blows it to call the horses to the starting gate. It is an unmistakable sound, and in the presence of a large gathering of people, it can be easily heard.

First, it summons the people to worship. We note that in 10:3, when both trumpets are blown, the people shall gather at the tent of meeting. If only one is blown, only the leaders of the camp need to respond. In the same sense, we experience that double sound each Lord’s day when we hear the call to worship. It is not a mere formality. It is a sacred and divine call from the triune God to us, as his people, to worship him.

Second, it communicates the time when the people should break camp and begin their journey. We note that in 10:10:5-10. Each Lord’s day, a benediction is pronounced on God’s people, sending them forth into the world to do battle with it, the flesh, and the enemy of souls. Like the call to worship, the benediction is no mere formality signaling the end of worship. It is not a divine period on the service. It is a trumpet blast to God’s people. They have heard his voice. They have witnessed his power in the preaching of his Word. Now, they are to leave and do battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

10:11-36

This section details the order and process by which the people of God will leave the camp. Our God is not a God of confusion. He is a God of order, and it is here exemplified. We, too, are to go out in an orderly manner, having heard the voice of God. We are to leave the comfort of divine worship and go into the world as ambassadors of the Almighty. In corporate worship, we experience a unique presence of the Triune God with us. However, that presence remains unchanged when we leave it, although the focus is different. Note how the chapter ends: “And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day.” God promises to go with his covenant people, and he goes with us as we leave the comfort of corporate worship. He is our shield and defender, and will defend the cause of his righteous people.

Galatians 4

Galatians 4 spends much ink comparing the slave to the free. We see that in the numerous references regarding “sons and heirs” and “Sarah and Hagar.” The purpose of these comparisons is found in the center section of the chapter (4:8-20). Formally, the Galatians were slaves to those who are by nature not gods. Now, through the work of Christ, they are free because the truth of the gospel will make you free. The slavery they were tempted to return to was the civil and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. Yet, Christ has fulfilled each of them, freeing them from that yoke and giving them new life in Christ. The concern for Paul is that they will find comfort in those dead things and forget Christ, whose yoke is easy and burden light.

We can do the same thing today. We may not be tempted to run back to the civil, ceremonial, and priestly laws of the Old Testament, but we would hamper ourselves by erecting rules and standards that God has not made. Worse, we expect others to follow them. That is slavery to the wrong things. It is legalism, and it must be resisted.

Psalm 123

Psalm 123 is another Song of  Ascents, used by the pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem to worship God. This Psalm has two stanzas.

123:1-2

In a word, this section conveys the trust we should have in our God. The Psalmist paints a word picture for us in 123:2, but the emphasis is on unswerving trust in the God of our salvation. Consider the trouble and trials of the people of old to make their way through difficult places to arrive at Jerusalem. The roads were difficult. Walking was treacherous. Yet, they determined to trust their God. Our lives often look that way. Trials come from every corner. The storms of life seem never to end, and when they do, they come back again. The question is, “Will you trust your God?” He is wise and knows what is best for his children. We may experience times of doubt, but that is when we must pray, “Please help me in my distress, O God, and help me in my unbelief.”

12:3-4

This section is the proper response for those under fire and trial as they journey from this world to the next. Notice how the Psalmist draws our eyes to those pleas for mercy. Is that not what we need? Do we not desire the mercy of our God, especially when life is hard? It isn’t fair treatment we seek, for that would lead to ruin. No, we want God to relieve the suffering. We want his merciful eye and hands on us. In Christ, we have it. WE look to him as the Great High Priest. Because he has passed through the heavens, we can boldly plead for mercy and grace and find help in our time of struggle (Heb. 4:14-16)