February 20
Today’s Reading
Numbers 7
Psalm 23
Acts 27
⸻
Scripture Focus
“But he gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders.”
— Numbers 7:9 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Dear Sister Soldier,
Numbers 7 is a chapter about leadership, responsibility, and the nearness of God.
It begins with offerings. It moves through assignments.
And it ends with God speaking.
And right in the middle, we see something that teaches us about reverence.
⸻
Part One — Why Shoulders, Not Wagons?
The Gershonites received wagons.
The Merarites received wagons.
But the Kohathites received none.
Why?
Because they carried the most sacred objects:
• The Ark of the Covenant
• The Table of the Bread of Presence
• The Lampstand
• The Altars
God had already commanded that the Ark be carried by poles on the shoulders (Exodus 25:14–15). It was never to be placed on a cart.
This was not about weight.
It was about holiness.
A wagon creates distance.
Shoulders require closeness.
To carry on the shoulders meant:
• Personal responsibility
• Direct obedience
• Physical nearness
• Intentional reverence
Holy things were not to be handled casually.
God was teaching Israel — and teaching us — that His presence is not cargo.
Some things in life can be organized.
Some things can be systemized.
Some things can be delegated.
But the presence of God must be carried personally.
Close.
Carefully.
Reverently.
And when David later tried to move the Ark on a cart instead of carrying it God’s way, it cost a man his life (2 Samuel 6). God had already established something clear:
Holy things are carried God’s way — not man’s way.
And that speaks to my heart.
Am I carrying His presence carefully?
Or am I trying to make sacred things convenient?
⸻
Part Two — Leadership Is a Calling
Numbers 7 is also about leaders.
The tribal leaders stepped forward willingly with offerings. No command is recorded. No pressure applied. They came because their hearts were aligned with the Lord.
Leadership is a calling.
These men were chosen — and now we see why.
Their hearts were committed.
They were loyal.
They were reverent.
God recorded every name.
Every offering.
Every act of obedience.
Because leadership before God is not about position — it is about posture.
True leaders:
Bring their offerings.
Serve faithfully.
Handle holy things carefully.
But the chapter does not end with offerings.
It ends with this:
“Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.”
— Numbers 7:89 (NLT)
This is the ultimate picture of leadership.
Leaders who bring offerings…
And leaders who bow low enough to hear Him speak.
Moses did not lead from strategy.
He led from the presence.
He entered the Tabernacle.
He positioned himself near the mercy seat.
And he listened.
The voice came from the place of atonement.
Mercy and holiness meeting together.
That is where leadership begins.
That is where direction is found.
That is where strength is given.
Psalm 23 reminds us:
“The Lord is my Shepherd.”
Before we lead anyone —
We must first be led.
Before we speak —
We must first listen.
Before we carry responsibility —
We must first carry His presence.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Some assignments require wagons.
Some require shoulders.
If God has entrusted me with something sacred, may I never treat it casually.
And if He has called me to lead in any capacity, may I never move ahead without first entering His presence to hear His voice.
⸻
Examine My Heart
• Am I carrying holy things carefully in my life?
• Have I made sacred things convenient?
• Do I lead from pressure — or from presence?
• When was the last time I went in simply to listen?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Father, You are holy, and Your presence is a privilege. Teach me to carry what You entrust to me with reverence and obedience. Guard my heart from convenience when You are calling me to consecration. If You have called me to lead in any area, let it begin at Your mercy seat. Teach me to bow low enough to hear Your voice. Be my Shepherd before I ever attempt to shepherd anyone else. In Jesus’ name, amen.
⸻
Sit quietly before the Lord. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Begin writing what you sense Him saying to you — starting with, “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…” Write until your thoughts pause. Then reread what you’ve written and respond in obedience.
Today’s Reading
Numbers 7
Psalm 23
Acts 27
⸻
Scripture Focus
“But he gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders.”
— Numbers 7:9 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Dear Sister Soldier,
Numbers 7 is a chapter about leadership, responsibility, and the nearness of God.
It begins with offerings. It moves through assignments.
And it ends with God speaking.
And right in the middle, we see something that teaches us about reverence.
⸻
Part One — Why Shoulders, Not Wagons?
The Gershonites received wagons.
The Merarites received wagons.
But the Kohathites received none.
Why?
Because they carried the most sacred objects:
• The Ark of the Covenant
• The Table of the Bread of Presence
• The Lampstand
• The Altars
God had already commanded that the Ark be carried by poles on the shoulders (Exodus 25:14–15). It was never to be placed on a cart.
This was not about weight.
It was about holiness.
A wagon creates distance.
Shoulders require closeness.
To carry on the shoulders meant:
• Personal responsibility
• Direct obedience
• Physical nearness
• Intentional reverence
Holy things were not to be handled casually.
God was teaching Israel — and teaching us — that His presence is not cargo.
Some things in life can be organized.
Some things can be systemized.
Some things can be delegated.
But the presence of God must be carried personally.
Close.
Carefully.
Reverently.
And when David later tried to move the Ark on a cart instead of carrying it God’s way, it cost a man his life (2 Samuel 6). God had already established something clear:
Holy things are carried God’s way — not man’s way.
And that speaks to my heart.
Am I carrying His presence carefully?
Or am I trying to make sacred things convenient?
⸻
Part Two — Leadership Is a Calling
Numbers 7 is also about leaders.
The tribal leaders stepped forward willingly with offerings. No command is recorded. No pressure applied. They came because their hearts were aligned with the Lord.
Leadership is a calling.
These men were chosen — and now we see why.
Their hearts were committed.
They were loyal.
They were reverent.
God recorded every name.
Every offering.
Every act of obedience.
Because leadership before God is not about position — it is about posture.
True leaders:
Bring their offerings.
Serve faithfully.
Handle holy things carefully.
But the chapter does not end with offerings.
It ends with this:
“Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.”
— Numbers 7:89 (NLT)
This is the ultimate picture of leadership.
Leaders who bring offerings…
And leaders who bow low enough to hear Him speak.
Moses did not lead from strategy.
He led from the presence.
He entered the Tabernacle.
He positioned himself near the mercy seat.
And he listened.
The voice came from the place of atonement.
Mercy and holiness meeting together.
That is where leadership begins.
That is where direction is found.
That is where strength is given.
Psalm 23 reminds us:
“The Lord is my Shepherd.”
Before we lead anyone —
We must first be led.
Before we speak —
We must first listen.
Before we carry responsibility —
We must first carry His presence.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Some assignments require wagons.
Some require shoulders.
If God has entrusted me with something sacred, may I never treat it casually.
And if He has called me to lead in any capacity, may I never move ahead without first entering His presence to hear His voice.
⸻
Examine My Heart
• Am I carrying holy things carefully in my life?
• Have I made sacred things convenient?
• Do I lead from pressure — or from presence?
• When was the last time I went in simply to listen?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Father, You are holy, and Your presence is a privilege. Teach me to carry what You entrust to me with reverence and obedience. Guard my heart from convenience when You are calling me to consecration. If You have called me to lead in any area, let it begin at Your mercy seat. Teach me to bow low enough to hear Your voice. Be my Shepherd before I ever attempt to shepherd anyone else. In Jesus’ name, amen.
⸻
Sit quietly before the Lord. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Begin writing what you sense Him saying to you — starting with, “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…” Write until your thoughts pause. Then reread what you’ve written and respond in obedience.
Type your new text here.
Type your new text here.