Scripture: Numbers 14:11 (NLT): And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?"
Observation: God had rescued the Israelites from slavery and led them through the desert right to the promised land. God told Moses to send a group of them to spy out the land that He was giving them (Numbers 13:1-2). Despite the fact that God had promised Israel this land numerous times, the majority of this group came back with a negative report. Numbers 13:32-33 says: And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." By the first part of Numbers 14, their negative attitude had spread to all the people and spiraled out of control. Numbers 14:4 says: And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." What did they do in Egypt that was so appealing? Ah, yes, they were slaves! How could they forget all that God had done for them and all that He had promised? They looked around at their circumstances and let fear override their belief that God would take care of them. They listened to popular opinion rather than God. They did not believe that God would do what He promised. God is clearly very angry that they still don't believe Him after all He has done for them.
Application: I need to remember all that God has done and promised to do for me and all who put their trust in Him. I need to listen to God instead of popular opinion. I need to not only believe in God, I need to trust and believe that He will do what He says, regardless of negative attitudes and circumstances around me.
Negative thoughts and people can easily spin out of control. I can choose to be like Joshua and Caleb and not join them, trusting in the Stronghold of my life!
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Prayer: Lord God, you are my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? You are the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Lord, I believe you! I thank you for all you have done, all you are doing now, and all you are going to do. Forgive me when I let people and circumstances blind me to your truth. Show me the way and I will walk in it!
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