| Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4
“Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword?” Our wives and little children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? So they said to one another, ‘Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.’ Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite community: ‘The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!'” (Numbers 14:1-9)
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will these people despise Me? How long will they not trust in Me despite all the signs I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11)
The twelve spies have just brought back a report to Moses, Aaron and the people concerning Canaan, the promised land. Only two said they were well able to take the land. The other ten exaggerated that the men were huge and the task impossible. Now the whole community is scared and wanting to turn back. Like many people, the Israelites preferred to go back to slavery rather than fight through for freedom.
Let me say that again. Many people would prefer to return to slavery (their state prior to knowing Jesus) rather than press through their issues to enjoy a better life. Why? We are creatures of habit that would rather not have to exert the energy required for a walk of faith. Faith is hard sometimes. I often wonder why I can’t have an easier time so that I won’t have to live out this faith all the time – LOL! “God, You never said I was gonna have to work for the promised land, did You?!”
God was giving them the land but expected His people to believe Him. All they could see was the natural environment. God requires us to have faith rather than fear, to look beyond the natural to the spiritual. I’m not talking about being a flake but moving strong on a word from God. Please know that these people griped and doubted all the time, this wasn’t an occasional deal. God understands when we get scared or unsure and He helps us to move forward. (I mean how many fleeces did Gideon put out!) But a constant bad attitude and confession will find us wandering the wilderness all of our life. Let the Israelites be an example to us, trust God, He knows the outcome, He’s already been there…
PRAYER:
Lord, I pray to walk in faith instead of fear. Help me to believe and to step out when I know You are directing my steps. I love You and pray that Your body will truly begin to hear Your voice and move as one. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. |
