Careful For What We Ask!

Sometimes we may look at situations in life and think about what we would rather have. However, as we ponder what we think might be better we need to be careful what we ask for because we just might get it. In the process it is also possible to miss out on THE GREATER BLESSING GOD HAS IN MIND for us. This is exactly what Israel did as they approached the land God promised to give them.

Twelve men were sent in to take a look at the land. ( Numbers 13) All agreed it was a land of plenty, but it was the size of the enemy that created the concern. Comparing themselves to the people of the land, they felt like grasshoppers. ( Numbers 13:33) If victory had merely depended on themselves that would have been one thing, but they forgot how small the enemy was compared to the God of Israel Who had already done many mighty works in delivering them from Egyptian bondage and adequately providing for them all along the way. In faith, Caleb and Joshua tried to encourage the people that they were able because GOD WAS WITH THEM ( Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9), but they would not listen.

For what did the people wish?
“(1) Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. (2) And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! OR WOULD THAT WE HAD DIED IN THIS WILDERNESS!” ( Numbers 14:1-2 ESV)

This was not the first time the people had spoken of it having been better to have stayed in Egypt. In fact, that cry began quite early in the journey. (i.e. Exodus 14:10-12; 16:2-3, etc.) All along the way God had to put up with their whining and complaining. Unfortunately this time God was going to grant their request.

We read…
“(26) And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, (27) “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. (28) Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, WHAT YOU HAVE SAID IN MY HEARING I WILL DO TO YOU: (29) YOUR DEAD BODIES SHALL FALL IN THIS WILDERNESS, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, (30) not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. (31) But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and THEY SHALL KNOW THE LAND THAT YOU HAVE REJECTED. (32) BUT AS FOR YOU, YOUR DEAD BODIES SHALL FALL IN THIS WILDERNESS.’”” ( Numbers 14:26-32 ESV)

When we are following in the way God leads, each step may not appear as we would like. Nevertheless, we need to TRUST GOD that the path in which He is leading will ultimately get us to where He wants to take us. If only Israel had remembered that, they would have avoided forty years of wandering and then dying in the wilderness and missing out on THE BLESSING received by the next generation.

May we share the TRUSTING RESOLVE of Paul who wrote…
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and BRING ME SAFELY INTO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” ( 2 Timothy 4:18 ESV)

Let us always TRUST GOD’S WAY, remembering He is much bigger than any foe or obstacle that may be met along the way.

Have a great day CONTINUING TO FOLLOW TOWARD GOD’S GREATEST BLESSING!
Carl

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