As I continue to trace God’s grace through the Bible, let me share a couple of examples from the book of Numbers.

Israel rebels against God by refusing to enter the Promised Land.  God could have wiped them out then and there, indeed he threatens to do it.  But Moses intercedes, and God spares them. How many times do we rebel against God?  How often do we sin?  How often do we fail to do what God calls us to do?  Yet through Christ God forgives and spares us again and again.  That’s grace.

Not only does God spare them, but he chooses to bless them.  Balaam is hired by Israel’s enemy to curse Israel.  Instead God requires Balaam to bless his people.  God teaches Aaron and his sons a blessing to say for the people of Israel, and the people will be blessed.  In how many ways does God bless us as his people today?  As the songs tells us – count your many blessings!  Every blessing we receive – that’s grace!