The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Numbers 32:15-23, “Now behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel.

15 “For if you turn away from following Him, He will once more abandon them in the wilderness, and you will destroy all these people.”

16 Then they came near to him and said, “We will build here sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our little ones;

17 but we ourselves will be armed and ready to go before the sons of Israel until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

18 “We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance.

19 “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.”

20 So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,

21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,

22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.

23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.”

With all the LORD had done for His people, when they came up against a difficulty they had not previously encountered, they rebelled against Moses and against the LORD. Have you and I ever considered that truly spiritual leadership has been given to us that we might learn to love and follow the LORD?

Certainly, the obstacle that Moses’ people encountered looked difficult. What they needed, however, was to look to the LORD instead of the obstacles before them.

How like this crowd we often are! We know His will, and we’ve been told to face it in His strength and move forward. But we’re gripped with fear because we’ve taken our eyes off of Him!

Being the wise leader that he was, Moses challenged the people by reminding them of the LORD’s leadership; then saying (in effect): “Do what you want – just remember that your sin will ultimately catch up with you. You can’t do wrong and get by!”

What was true of those who doubted Moses is true of us when we balk at following the LORD’s leadership: our sin will ultimately be our undoing! So, be careful. Who knows best? You simply cannot do what’s wrong in God’s eyes and get by.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Psalm 33:12-18, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men;

14 From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,

15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.

16 The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness.”

Who would have believed that a nation could mire itself down in such a mess? Particularly, is that so when we have such a heritage! Still, a child takes no notice of how clean his clothes are or what they cost his parents; he’s simply mesmerized by that puddle of water! It’s a blisteringly hot day, so why not engage in a little boy’s “cool off”?

Besides, we have money—ample money, as a nation! At least, we thought we did, until after our recent election. It was then that the truth was revealed! The idea that “You can’t do wrong and get by” underscores the importance of ethical behavior and personal responsibility in achieving lasting success and respect.

Yet, the Word of the LORD cries out: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD!”

We are not our own! We belong to our Maker! We are His children! Obedience is our responsibility! We possess Him as our Redeemer. He possesses us as His redeemed!

He has provided for us His Word. By it, we are to live and be honorable in His sight.

It is our responsibility, therefore, to love and cherish Christ as our Redeemer. We are to live as His children. Obedience is our forthright responsibility! We are to trust and obey.

Trust and Obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus;

But to trust and obey.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom