Tag: Numbers 14:11
Flying by instrument!
Scripture reading for February 14: Numbers 13-16
Walking by faith is not always easy to learn. We are prone to be strongly influenced by what we see, our feelings, and what our past experiences have conditioned us to believe. In my younger days, I wanted to learn to fly an airplane. Several of my friends and I got together and bought a Cessna 172 with instrument rating. I wanted to learn to fly by instruments so that weather and clouds would not cause me to crash. To help me learn to trust the instruments, my flight instructor would put a hood over my head so I could only see the instrument panel. When we would turn, or go up or down, I would watch the instruments to learn where the wings were. My mind, however, would often play tricks on me. I felt like we were flying sideways or going up or down, when the instruments said we were flying level. Senses can lead us astray in flying and in life!
The twelve Israelite spies were sent into the promised land. They were told to determine what the land was like and what the inhabitants of that land were like. God had already told them that the land was flowing with milk and honey. He had already told them that He would take care of the inhabitants. God was to them like the instruments in the plane. If they had kept their focus on what God had said, they would not have veered off course! Joshua and Caleb were the only spies to stay focused! They pleaded with the others to get ready to go on in and possess the land that God had promised them. (Numbers 13:30-33) Ten spies got their eyes on the difficulties and began to spread fear, doubt and unbelief!
The whole community began to complain and grumble against Moses and the Lord. They even talked of stoning Moses, when the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting. God viewed their grumbling and rebellion against Moses as against Him! (Numbers 14:11, 27) God’s judgment on them was to give them what they had feared–the whole generation 20 years and older died in the desert because of their grumbling and unbelief! They all would wander in the wilderness for 40 years as punishment for their rebellion! (Numbers 14:29-35)
Do you remember a time when your feelings or a ‘bad’ report caused you to live in fear? How does God’s punishment of Israel fit their sin of unbelief?
Captivated by Christ Jesus alone!
Scripture reading for March 6th: Numbers 12-14, Psalm 28, Colossians 2
Key Scriptures: Colossians 2:8-12 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, Who raised Him from the dead.”
Paul warned believers against the sin of unbelief and human religion and philosophy instead of faith in Christ. In Christ alone is there fullness. Christ is the head of all rule and authority. He marked us internally by giving us the Holy Spirit. We identified with His death through baptism in water and His resurrection as we came up out of the water receiving the Holy Spirit. Faith in Christ Jesus is sufficient!
Numbers 14:11 “And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, how easily I am tempted to allow human philosophy to take me away from faith! Please forgive me! I choose to trust in Christ alone, identifying with Him in His death and glorious resurrection!
Psalm 28:9 “Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage! Be their Shepherd and carry them forever.”