Scripture:
Numbers 14:8-9 ESV
[8] If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. [9] Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
Observation:
By this time it’s been a repeated problem. GOD has brought HIS chosen people to the edge of what seems to be a big problem. Only to see fear set in and disobedience follow. Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who trusted in what the LORD, had said about going into the land are doing their absolute best to encourage the congregation to trust in what GOD had spoken. If the LORD delights in us HE will do what HE said. Their next phrase is the one that catches my attention. Don’t rebel against the LORD. The whole congregation knew that GOD had taken them out of Egypt and had promised to bring them to a place where they could prosper, however, fear and an overwhelming pull of what is familiar kept trying to pull them back to what they knew in Egypt.
Application:
Our past lives may have hurt but at least we knew what to expect. However, that’s no way to live. The enemy comes to kill steal and destroy. GOD wants to give us something better. But our fear of the unknown and lack of trust in a GOD who loves us keeps us from moving forward into a life that flows with milk and honey. Here’s the question are we going to trust GOD or are we going to run to the familiar no matter how much it hurts? The Father will let us go back if we want but not all the way. HE has called us out of that land. HIS people wanted to go all the way back to Egypt, but HE only let them go back to the wilderness and that’s where it ended for them. I don’t know about you, but I’m just not ok with the wilderness being the end of me. GOD promised me more and I want it. We are going to trust that GOD is moving us to what is best for us or we are going to go due in the wilderness. HE has forgiven our sins or HE hasn’t. The bible says I set before you a choice between death (our past life) or life (a new life with Christ Jesus) chose life. We have a choice to make, are we going to trust GOD or not? Let’s step into what GOD has promised us. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding acknowledge HIM in all your ways and HE will make your path straight.
Prayer:
Father, we may not understand but you. You know exactly what you are doing. It may look like our enemy is way too big and way too strong, but you are GOD the LORD of heaven and earth. You created it all and you know the purpose that you made it for. Right now we want to declare that we know you have forgiven us for our lack of trust. We know that you have whipped our slate clean. From this day forward we are forgiven our past is gone and we chose to walk in the fullness of life that you have given us. Thank you Father for not killing us off in the wilderness. You have opened the door to the promised land so lead us into it because our enemy will fall at YOUR feet. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray amen