Read: Numbers 27:15-23
At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in. —Numbers 27:21
Bible In One Year: Numbers 26-27; Mark 8:1-21
The phrase "at his word" is used twice in Numbers 27:21 to emphasize how God would guide Israel. Joshua was to direct Israel to "go out" and "come in" based on what God told Eleazer the priest.
How often do we make a decision to go somewhere or do something based on our pride, personal ambition, or merely to keep busy? How often do we go only because someone we long to please asked us to go, rather than because we want to please the Lord? When we "go out" to pursue our own desires instead of following God's leading, we will be frustrated in our efforts and left empty and disappointed.
But when we go out at the Lord's prompting and direction, "at His word," He is responsible for the outcome. The result will be fruitful labor, whether we know it or not.
The time to "come in" is also ordered by the Lord. There are times to retreat—to pray, to fill our hearts with His Word, to rest our bodies.
We must come daily before our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus, and receive His instruction. If we bow before Him and ask for His guidance, He will help us to know what to do and when to do it. —David Roper