Devotion:
Read Numbers 13:1, 17 - 14:23. (In case the listing of those Bible verses is not clear to you, read the first verse of chapter 13, then skip to verse 17 and continue from there to verse 23 of chapter 14.)
Every once in a while, there are moments and situations that present a crossroads for us. A critical decision has to be made, one that will shape our future. Such was this scene in the life of the “Children of Israel.” God had done just as God said and brought them to the border of the land to which he had promised their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. All along the way, they had faced situations where they had to decide if they were going to trust God. Once again, that same decision needed to be made. In the face of what looked impossible, could God be trusted to come through for them.
Their leaders tried to encourage them. They reminded the people of the challenges through which God had already brought them. They reminded them that God had been with them all along and was still with them.
But the people gave in to the voices of doubt and fear. And God was not pleased. After another fascinating dialogue with Moses, God declares that nobody in the leading generation will get to go into the promised land. They will have to wait until that generation is gone in order to move forward.
At least two lessons can be gleaned here. First, we are reminded that there are consequences to our decisions. They can have long-lasting effects. Second, even when God is displeased with us, God forgives us and finds a way to continue to work with us into God’s future.
Personal Worship Option:
Ask yourself if there are ways that you have chosen to not trust God or if there is some situation in which you need to trust God more. Ask God for wisdom and courage to more fully trust God on this journey of faith.
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