Session 34

God is a giver and a forgiver

From Numbers: A 5-Week Devotional

It would be easy to skip sections of the Bible like lists of names and places we’ve never heard of. However, we can still learn something because the Bible isn’t just a collection of details. God teaches us through both the mundane and the exciting.

Land boundaries, genealogies, and instructions on dealing with accidental and intentional deaths may seem strange or confusing to us today, but it shows us something important about God’s character.

Each tribe had a designated portion of land. Everyone had somewhere to belong. Cities of refuge helped protect the innocent and penalize the guilty. God defined those places and laws so the people could experience life in the best way. His plan for human relationships is to share forgiveness, uphold justice, and maintain order in society.

Most of us haven’t killed anyone, but we’ve all made terrible choices that hurt ourselves and those around us. Yet even when we make the worst of mistakes, God gives us a way to move forward.

God is a giver and a forgiver. He’s the most generous One you’ll ever encounter.

One of the most powerful ways God shows His generosity is by forgiving our sins. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, we’ve been given a relationship with God. Since He’s generous to us, we can learn to be generous back to Him and generous to the people around us.

Like the Israelites wandered the desert for years and wondered if God would ever come through for them, we may wonder where God is in the midst of our mistakes and impossible situations. Like God gave His people a home, He leads us to the places where we experience the best of His generosity, regardless of what’s in our past.

Reflect:

• What is one thing for which you’re grateful for God’s forgiveness?
• How have you seen God’s generosity in your life?