Bible Reading: Numbers 9 | Galatians 3 | Psalm 122
Devotional for June 24, 2025
Reading: Numbers 9 | Galatians 3 | Psalm 122
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Numbers 9
Numbers 9 highlights the second Passover celebrated by the people of God. The first Passover celebration occurred in Exodus 12, before the crossing of the Red Sea. This Passover, and those that follow it, are a commemoration of the event that brought God’s people out of the land of slavery. It also highlights the glory cloud of Jehovah as he met with his people from the Tabernacle.
9:1-14
The second Passover is significant as it commemorates the events that occurred during the Exodus. It is during this celebration that the people of God remember what He did for them. In the same way, we take a “Passover meal” whenever we celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. At that meal, we are reminded of the work of Christ, the true Passover Lamb, who satisfied the wrath of his Father on our behalf. Through his blood, we are passed over, judgment does not fall on us, and we are rescued. Through Christ’s work, we pass safely from death to life.
There is a problem, however, in this section that must be resolved. That problem is highlighted in 9:6-14. The problem is related to uncleanness, specifically, that which came upon some in the camp for touching a dead body. The image is the opposite of what the Passover meal communicates. The meal communicates life. Therefore, any relationship with death makes a man unable to participate in the Passover meal until that matter is resolved. These people were required to wait one month before entering into the celebration of the Passover meal. As we come to the Lord’s Supper, we must do honest heart business before the Lord to see if there is any unclean way in us. We must repent of those things, and if we refuse, refrain from eating that meal that portrays life may bring death (1 Cor. 11:27-32)
9:15-23
This section of the chapter presents both a warning and encouragement. It is a warning that God’s presence with his people is not to be treated as common. Note that the glory cloud covered the Tabernacle, the place of God’s dwelling. The Tabernacle was a holy tent and the most sacred of places on earth. It is such because God chose to dwell there. It is an encouragement because it reminds us that wherever we go, the Lord is with us. We are never on our own. We always have the God of our salvation with us.
Galatians 3
Paul is still dealing with those who are tempted to flee from Christ, the Gospel as preached, and return to that which will never save (Gal. 1). Three sections highlight this chapter.
3:1-5
Paul poses numerous questions to the Galatians in this section. Each of these questions is designed to drive the wandering Galatians back to Christ. Sometimes a sermon will ask these sorts of questions. The goal is to cause God’s people to think and respond and flee to the Savior.
3:6-14
In this section, the apostle highlights the Gospel in the Old Testament. He begins with Abraham and ends with comments from Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Habakkuk. The point of these references is to drive home the understanding that faith and works alone will not save. Faith alone is all that is needed. Faith in faith? No. Faith in the finished work of Christ.
3:15-29
In this section, the apostle Paul explains the point of the Law. Simply put, the law was given to drive us to Christ. When we examine the moral law of God, we know that we cannot keep it in thought, word, or deed. We fall short (Rom. 3:23). It is a mirror into our soul and reveals the blackness of our hearts. It drives us to look to Christ, for he kept the law perfectly for us. Yet, we do not set aside the Law as redeemed people. We strive to obey it out of gratitude for Christ’s work for us.
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is contained in that section called “The Songs of Ascents.” Therefore, this Psalm was used by the pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem to worship God. Three stanzas comprise this Psalm.
122:1-2
This section describes the attitude of the pilgrim as he makes his way to the house of the Lord. That house is the temple, the place of God’s dwelling. It is that place where they will sing and worship Him. Today, we do not have a centralized location of God’s temple. We are the temple of God. The church building is not a temple. Yet, we do gather in a place to worship him. Do we have the same attitude each week that those who labored to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem expressed? Can we say, with integrity, we are glad to worship our God?
122:3-5
This section showcases the beauty of the holy city of Jerusalem. It was a glorious city. The Temple built by Solomon was there. Many came from miles to see it. Within the gates of Jerusalem, safety is pictured because God is there. From Jerusalem, the judgment of God would fall on those who oppose him. Today, that city is the church of Christ. It is a beautiful bride, though it is often marred and battered. It is a glorious bride, though there are times when she behaves less than she is. It is a bride that knows the judgment of God displayed in the bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the bride who can say, “We are safe.” (122:2).
122:6-9
This section is a plea to pray for the safety of Jerusalem. Three times in this section, the Psalmist mentions “peace.” We are to pray for the peace of the church. We are to plead with God for his calming presence over us. We are to do so for the sake of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Therefore, pray for the church. Pray for the peace of God to rule over her. Pray for the continuation of the church of Christ. Pray for it to be protected from those who seek its ruin.