Day 26

“All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?” — Numbers 14:2-3

One of the reasons why Israel did not enter Canaan sooner was fear! The enemy was there, and they were more aware of his strength than of the power of God. But there is another reason. When the spies returned from Canaan, ten of them reported to Moses that taking the land would be an impossible task. “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?’ ” (Numbers 14:11)

God had repeatedly revealed Himself to them and demonstrated His power on their behalf. They had no rational excuses for denying God’s ability, nor for doubting His promises. The Israelites problem was one of refusing to believe.

Sadly, there are Christians today who seem content to stay exactly where they are. They resist the message of the sufficiency of Christ and His desire to do better things for them and with them. Like the Israelites, afraid of the battle, they have learned to be content in the wilderness.

God can do nothing with people who refuse to believe. He won’t march us bound and gagged into Canaan. Of the six hundred thousand men over the age of twenty who left Egypt, only two entered Canaan forty years later, the only two who believed, Joshua and Caleb. And their belief was not based on intellect about God. No doubt the creed of most of the Israelites who did not enter Canaan was correct and fully orthodox, but something more than intellect was needed – the belief that acknowledges and trusts what God can do! It does not consider merely the credibility of what God has said, but rather the invincibility of who He is.

When God finds people who will listen carefully to what He has said and will fully believe His promises, things begin to happen. It was God who called the Israelites to Canaan and it was God who got them there. It is God who has called you and me to live a holy life, and it is God who will make it possible. Let us always be mindful of who God is and believe what He has said!

Prayer: father, forgive me for my sin of disbelief. Sometimes doubts and fear do creep in, and I know I’m just thinking from a human perspective. Help me to overcome that and always be assured of your promises and your victory. thank you, Lord.

To reflect upon: Have there been situations where I haven’t fully been trusting of God? How would a rock solid belief in Him change my attitude in difficult circumstances, and what can I do to attain that kind of unwavering faith all the time?