PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless…” (Numbers 14:20?-?21)
Moses pleads with God to forgive the people (this reminds me of Jesus, Luke 23:34).
God does forgive them; nevertheless… this is the word that caught my attention.
The people still bear the consequences for their stubborn refusal to trust and follow.
Because they hold back, they miss out; and when they run ahead, they suffer defeat.
They are forgiven and accepted, but they still face consequences for their choices.
God’s grace is fully theirs, but their actions keep them from enjoying it.
How many of us do the same: not taking hold of the grace offered, going our own way?
Doing things the hard way, making bad choices, taking life into our own hands.
Like the father of the prodigal son, he lets us go and allows us to learn the hard way.
The people got what they asked (not entering Canaan), but not what they wanted.
I am loved and forgiven, but that doesn’t mean I do not experience ‘nevertheless’.
When I do something stupid, or choose to do something hurtful, there are consequences.
This is the Lord’s way of teaching me, helping me grow in wisdom and goodness.
Jesus will go with me and even helps me, but I will still walk the path I chose.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for sticking it out with me when I choose foolish paths. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me hope. Help me to learn from my mistakes, so that I don’t repeat them.
“If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land…Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you”. The lack of faith of the people in their God -Is God’s hand to short that he cannot do it? Caleb and Joshua saw the same things the others did, but they saw with eyes of faith – they believed that God would do as He promised – not only lead them to the promised land but also give it to them. When I approach something that seems in surmountable – I need to have faith like Caleb and Joshua – trusting that if God is pleased with me and has challenged me – that He will carry me through! Thanks be to God!
Trusting the promised of God – taking Him at His Word.
As it was for the people of Israel, so is it true for you and me this day. The rest, my future God has promised – the promised land. And that is only a reality through Jesus Christ. He has already defeated the enemy. All I need is to have the faith which the Israelites failed to do.
Trust that the Lord God is powerful enough to save me because without Christ I am nothing. It is only He Who is able to give me the rest.
He’s able, He’s able,
I know He’s able,
I know my Lord is able
To carry me through.
(Repeat)
He healed the broken-hearted
And set the captive free,
He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see.
He’s able, He’s able,
I know He’s able,
I know my Lord is able
To carry me through.