Psalm 99:6-8 - Moses and Aaron were among His priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon His Name. They called to the LORD, and He answered them. In the pillar of the cloud He spoke to them; they kept His testimonies and the statute that He gave them. O LORD our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

This psalm names Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, three biblical figures in whose lives the mighty power of God was displayed. Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Of this great prophet, Scripture says, "The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to a friend" (Exodus 33:11a). Moses' brother Aaron was anointed as the high priest of Israel. Samuel was a prophet and a judge of Israel. From childhood he was consecrated to the service of the Lord. Samuel anointed Jesus' ancestor David as king over Israel. Each of these great "heroes of faith" called upon the Lord and He answered them.

These three men were faithful servants of God. They obeyed the commandments of the Lord, but they were sinners too, and at times they disobeyed the Word of the Lord. Scripture does not provide a detailed account of their disobedience, although some sins are mentioned. Moses did not give glory to God when the Lord provided water from the rock at Meribah (see Numbers 20:12). Aaron created the golden calf for Israel's idolatrous worship in the wilderness (see Exodus 32:4). The God whom these three leaders of Israel served was "an avenger of their wrongdoings." God does not ignore or overlook sin, yet He was also "a forgiving God to them." These three, with all of Israel, brought to the altar the sacrifices commanded by God. These sacrifices pointed ahead to the great, final sacrifice that God Himself would provide for them, and for us, centuries later—the sacrifice of His own Son.

God is the avenger of our wrongdoings as He was for the sins of these three servants. Their sins, their wrongdoings, and ours, were avenged at the cross of Jesus. He is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29b). Jesus, the Lamb who was slain for us, suffered the penalty of death that should have been ours. That is why God is a forgiving God for us, as He was for Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. God calls us into His service as He called those three men. We hear God speak to us in His Word. As they proclaimed the truth about their forgiving God, we bear witness to others about everything He has done for us in Christ Jesus. As His royal priests, we offer to Him the sacrifices of prayer, thanksgiving, and praise. When we call on Him in prayer, He answers us. He avenged our sins at the cross of His Son and, for us, He is a forgiving God.

WE PRAY: Lord, You are a forgiving God for me. Help me to serve You faithfully, just as Moses, Aaron, and Samuel served You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you name a significant event from each of the lives of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel?

2. What does it say about Moses that God would talk to him as "to a friend"?

3. What good examples can you take from Moses, Aaron, and Samuel and apply in your life of service to God?

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 90    Leviticus 1-2    Mark 5:1-20

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