Reading Numbers today, specifically, an account of the
Israelites suffering in the desert. Despite all the miracles God performed in
rescuing them out of Egypt and providing for them, they still grumbled,
complained, and doubted. Numbers 14:11 Says's, "The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat
me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all
the miraculous signs I have performed among them?" God had Moses send scouts to
explore the land of Milk and Honey that He promised to give to them. The
Scouts were gone for forty days and saw that it was good, it was everything God
said it would be, however they were afraid because of the people who occupied
the land at the time, the Scouts, instead of trusting God, in their own minds
thought they were to small and weak to succeed. Because they were afraid, they
came back and gave a false report, they said the land was bad, they deceived the
people into believing it was not what God had promised and the people in turn
grumbled, complained, and sinned.
Moses intercedes for them in Numbers 14:13-19. God answers in
14:20-24, 33-34 & 36 -37 "The Lord replied,
“I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as
surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole
earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed
in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times, not one
of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one
who has treated me with contempt will ever see it "..."Your children will be
shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until
the last of your bodies lies in the desert. For forty years—one year for each
of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and
know what it is like to have me against you.’
Here, we see God being faithful in salvation as they were
forgiven. Salvation is a gift of grace, not of works, but because of their
constant complaining, dis-obedience, & lack of trust, they were unable to
experience many blessings God wished them to have. Also they were to wander the
desert for forty years, one year for every day they scouted the promised land.
You see, they Scouts were the ones to go out ahead of the others, they were to
bring back the good news of God's promise and grace. Instead they deceived
people, instead of believing God, they looked through their own eyes and were
afraid. Their deception caused people to complain, grumble, and sin in
disbelief.
As Christians we are to go out ahead of those who are either non believers or new believers. When we experience a trial, difficulty, or problem in our life, it should serve as an opportunity to witness God's faithfulness to people, before the deliverance, this way when it happens they will know it was of God. We are to believe God's promise of providing for us and bring the good news of God's promise back to people. Often though, like the Israelites, we, in our fear, complain, doubt, and worry, and in doing so, bring bad news, deceiving people that maybe God won't keep His promises, and cause others to stumble in doubt too.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidencee of things not seen" The substance of your faith in believing God will provide for you and take you through the storm, is praise, the evidence is not worrying, not complaining, it is lifting hands in worship.
Be Joyous always, Pray continually, Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~
Don't wander in the desert for forty years...Get found...Trust Jesus... & share the Good News!
As Christians we are to go out ahead of those who are either non believers or new believers. When we experience a trial, difficulty, or problem in our life, it should serve as an opportunity to witness God's faithfulness to people, before the deliverance, this way when it happens they will know it was of God. We are to believe God's promise of providing for us and bring the good news of God's promise back to people. Often though, like the Israelites, we, in our fear, complain, doubt, and worry, and in doing so, bring bad news, deceiving people that maybe God won't keep His promises, and cause others to stumble in doubt too.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidencee of things not seen" The substance of your faith in believing God will provide for you and take you through the storm, is praise, the evidence is not worrying, not complaining, it is lifting hands in worship.
Be Joyous always, Pray continually, Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~
Don't wander in the desert for forty years...Get found...Trust Jesus... & share the Good News!
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