The Teachable Heart

06/05/2026

It is widely accepted that Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. Since Numbers is the fourth book, that means Moses wrote this about himself, “Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Admittedly, that sounds a little bit contradictory. And it would be if Moses thereafter didn’t tell us other true things about himself; things that reveal humility.

We don’t have to read much further to see what must have been one of the lowest points in Moses’ life. The people were thirsty and complaining very loudly against him. In response, God told Moses to gather the people at a certain rock and simply tell the rock to give up its water (Numbers 20:1-8).

Moses gathered the people just as God had commanded. But after that, Moses changed the game plan. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses yelled at the flock and struck the rock (vv. 10-11). Only a humble man would admit that he had disobeyed God and lost his temper. But it’s the next self-disclosure I want us to focus upon today.

As many of you likely know, because of this single act of disobedience, Moses was forbidden from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. But listen to how God summarized what lay beneath that decision on Moses’ part, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (v. 12).

It was a lack of trust IN God that led to disobedience OF God. Again, I appreciate the fact that Moses would “tell on himself” with such honesty. For this great man of God to acknowledge that his own disbelief led to his own disobedience is admirable. Yet Moses wasn’t the last person whose lack of trust in God caused trouble.

I suspect most of us, if we’re humble and honest, could look at most of our sinful choices and trace them back, in some way, to a lack of trust in God. If we don’t trust that God has our best interests in mind, we’ll take things into our own hands, stepping over His defined boundaries if necessary. But if we truly believe that God uses ALL things for our good, we’ll gladly follow His path. Belief and obedience are closely linked. He is trustworthy and therefore worthy of our obedience. –Dave

(You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, to order devotional books, or to sign up for free daily devotions, visit: https://theteachableheart.com.)

06/05/2026

Belief and obedience are closely linked.

The Teachable Heart · Episode

06/05/2026

The comparisons to the gospel are too obvious to miss. During the days of Elisha, the Northern Kingdom’s capital city, Samaria, was besieged by the Arameans. Death by starvation awaited those inside the city; death by the army of Aram awaited those who ventured out (2 Kings 7:1-4).

Overnight, however, God caused the Arameans to hear the sounds of an army that was not there. In absolute terror, the Arameans hastily broke camp. When four lepers ventured into that camp at dusk, they found it deserted. After collecting some of the plunder, and contemplating keeping it all for themselves, they lepers concluded, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace” (v. 9).

Those of us who have experienced undeserved forgiveness through Christ have found a treasure far greater than the plunder of a foreign army. We have much better news than those desperate lepers. But are we willing to do what those men did – to share our discovery with others who need what we have found?

Sharing what we received for free is the first obvious comparison to the gospel in this story, but it’s not the only one. How others responded to that good news is another. For example, here was the king’s response, “I will tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving; so they have left the camp to hide in the countryside, thinking, ‘They will surely come out, and then we will take them alive and get into the city’” (v. 12).

What did the King think about the good news he’d just heard? He thought it was too good to be true. There had to be a catch; it must be a trick. He looked for the other shoe that he was certain would soon fall. But there was no catch; no trick; no other shoe. There was only the free, undeserved, and unearned deliverance from the Lord.

By placing our faith in Christ and following Him, our sins are forgiven and we gain a right standing before God. While it may seem too good to be true, that IS the gospel message, and it is truly just that good! –Dave

(You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, to order devotional books, or to sign up for free daily devotions, visit: https://theteachableheart.com.)

06/04/2026

With the gospel message, there is no catch; no trick; no other shoe to fall.

The Teachable Heart · Episode

06/03/2026

Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. (John 21:5-6)

This was the second time this scene played out between Jesus and His disciples. The first (in Luke 5:1-7) was at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry as He called men to follow Him. The latter occurred after His resurrection. The first demonstrated Christ’s power and gave the fishermen reason to follow Him. The latter taught these same men that they would forever be dependent upon God to accomplish anything.

Both stories also remind us that God is sovereign whether our nets are empty or bursting at the seams. Jesus was as much in control of the sea when the disciples caught nothing as He was when they caught everything. Despite being professional fishermen, they caught nothing without God’s help. As Allistair Begg reminds us, “The disciples’ condition mirrors our own: we cannot even do what we are good at without the Lord’s help.”

Boy that’s humbling. Even the things we’re good at are fruitless if the Lord doesn’t help. As Solomon clearly taught, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). I need this reminder, and most likely you do too.

Last week, we released the 1,500th episode of The Teachable Heart Podcast. In addition, we have published nearly 4000 devotions over 14 years. Many of them came from the roughly 1600 Sunday School lesson plans written over 25+ years. Over those years, I’ve “gotten good at” the necessary studying, writing, editing, recording, etc. In short, I can weave “devotional nets” together pretty efficiently, and I can cast those nets into many waters. But without the Lord’s support and blessing, those nets will remain empty.

For these reasons, I keep an index card near my desk with these words from Douglas McKelvey, “If this is not Your work, I would not have it be mine. Breathe life into these flawed forms. Let my insufficiencies be met by the multiplying power of your grace.” We are totally dependent on the Lord. So, let’s remain humble and ask Him to bless even the things we do well. –Dave

(You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, to order devotional books, or to sign up for free daily devotions, visit: https://theteachableheart.com.)

06/03/2026

Without the Lord’s support and blessing, even the things we do well won’t result in meaningful results.

The Teachable Heart · Episode

06/02/2026

“He is never less than your mighty Creator and loving Savior.” (Allistair Begg)

It’s easy to agree with a statement like this when things are going well. But when life seems to be using us as a sparring partner, questions creep in. When a loved one dies unexpectedly, when we lose the job, when the doctor’s report isn’t favorable, it’s easy to question God’s might, His goodness, and/or His love.

Like you, I’ve faced some pretty difficult and discouraging trials. There have been moments when I’ve reached for the white towel of surrender. I’ve wanted to throw it in and admit defeat. Thankfully, those moments have been few and far between; God has always directed me back to His constant love for me.

Recently, while driving home from a family gathering in Texas, I heard Just Be Held by Casting Crowns. It’s written from God’s perspective to us and includes these insightful lyrics:

If your eyes are on the storm,
You'll wonder if I love you still.
But if your eyes are on the cross,
You'll know I always have and I always will.

As the lyrics imply, what we choose to focus upon will have a tremendous impact on the conclusions we make about God. If we choose to look primarily on the storms of life we will naturally begin to wonder why they’re there. Is God aware? Does He care? Where is He?

Storms will come, and they will get our attention. But as we deal with them, we’d do well to consider the cross frequently. When we doubt God’s love; when we doubt His goodness; when the questions arise, we need to remember the cross. For there we see, in unquestionable terms, the extent of God’s love for us. At the cross we see that “The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:5).

Circumstances may change and they may be crushing, but Christ’s love is unwavering and He is able to lift us above all we face. Where are your eyes – on the storm or on the cross? –Dave

(You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, to order devotional books, or to sign up for free daily devotions, visit: https://theteachableheart.com.)