S. Numbers 14:40b-42 (NIV)
40 Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country, saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised. Surely we have sinned!”
41 But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed! 42 Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies,
O. The people of Israel believed the bad report given by 10 of the 12 spies. They grumbled against the Lord and Moses. Moses lets them know that they will die for their sin and their children will inherit the land. They acknowledge this but then decide to into the land any way.
God forgave the nation, yet there are consequences for a sinful, disbelieving life - additionally, because of the presence of sin, God would not go before the people.
A. How wonderful that God forgives our sin - yet we must be aware of the consequences of our sin. I heard years ago this thought, “sin is against God, but the effects of sin are against people.” Before we embark on serving the Lord, we must “consecrate” (prepare) ourselves through prayer, confession and seeking the Lord’s guidance. I see again in scripture the important of going forward only when the Lord’s presence is leading us.
P. Father, thank you for your love, forgiveness and justice. Holy Spirit grant me wisdom to set aside time to prepare, pray, confess an see your leading. In Jesus’ name!
