Key Verse: Numbers 27:22-23
So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.

Our reading begins with God’s concerns for women’s rights and proceeds to document the protocol for choosing a new leader. The gracious way that Moses carried out the leadership transfer is a testimony to the quality of his character. Instead of a desperate attempt to retain power, he prays for his successor and expresses concern for the welfare of the people. Moses had 40 years of wilderness living, during which time his ability and reputation as a leader were frequently under fire. His character was not shattered by tough times, but rather strengthened. We can learn here that it is not success that builds character, but trials, tribulations and difficult circumstances. James 1:2-3 tells us to “Consider it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for Your will in my life so that, like Moses, I will experience the development of Godly character. Help me to learn to accept Your direction, denying my own desires, and submitting to Your desires for my life. Through Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was 67 years old when I stepped aside from senior leadership of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. and Crossroads Television System (YES TV) – (click on them to see the websites of these organizations). I continued as a board member of CTS, a network of TV stations, and accepted the “Social Concerns” portfolio for CCCI. I understand these concerns to be the weighty moral issues that impact us all in various ways. Below is a 3-D ultra sound photograph of Ron and Ann’s granddaughter, and the daughter of Andrea and Jason. Her name is Jadice. She was born on December 31st, 2012. I’ve asked Ron to put that picture of Jadice on today’s blog, as well as a recent picture of her. I ask the reader to look carefully at Jadice. Those who proclaim so-called “pro choice” are willing to have that little one torn apart in a most cruel manner. I weep now as I contemplate the many lives, full of such great promise, that have been destroyed by abortion. I believe that this is the most important moral concern today. On His way to the cross, a great multitude of the people mourned as Jesus carried His Cross. Jesus’ took time to make a pro-life and anti-abortion statement. He spoke directly to the women who mourned. He turned to them and said… (see Luke 23:28-31).

Yours for the development in us all of Jesus’ character,

David