I wonder how many "Christians" know the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt. If they have heard it, did they really listen? I think we like to forget the part that the Israelites wandered through the desert for forty years because God was angry with them for not trusting Him. They were not wandering around just because they were lost. Well, I guess they were lost in a sense because they did not trust nor listen to God.
God was angry! How many of you, does that surprise? Isn't God suppose to be an all loving, all giving, just an even-tempered, all gracious God. Indeed, He is all loving. But, scripture also tells us that God can be angry when His children refuse to listen to Him, refuse to trust Him, refuse to follow in the way He has led them. Indeed, He is quick to forgive all who turn to Him in the name of His Son, Jesus the Christ. But, he is not overjoyed knowing that there are those who would forsake Him or His Son who was willing to die so that all people might be reconciled to Him in the promised land, the Kingdom. Make no mistake, when you sin and willfully follow in the ways that would lead you away from the kingdom of God, you are separating yourself from God and the promised land. God wants you to be reconciled to Him in His Kingdom. Why would He be happy if you chose another way and rejected the promised gift?
The Israelites feared entering into the promised land in the way that God would have them go. They feared and chose another way. They rejected God's full promise to them, at least in the way that He would give it to them. And... God was angry. The consequence was to wander around outside the promised land for forty more years. For sure God was with them as they continued their journey through the wilderness. And... God is with you. You have no need to fear following in the way that God has prepared for you through Jesus Christ, our LORD.
God's Peace - Pr. J
P.S. If you're having problems remembering the story, read again the story of how the Israelites decided, out of fear, that they would not enter the promised land as God directed them. It can be found in Numbers 13 and 14.
God was angry! How many of you, does that surprise? Isn't God suppose to be an all loving, all giving, just an even-tempered, all gracious God. Indeed, He is all loving. But, scripture also tells us that God can be angry when His children refuse to listen to Him, refuse to trust Him, refuse to follow in the way He has led them. Indeed, He is quick to forgive all who turn to Him in the name of His Son, Jesus the Christ. But, he is not overjoyed knowing that there are those who would forsake Him or His Son who was willing to die so that all people might be reconciled to Him in the promised land, the Kingdom. Make no mistake, when you sin and willfully follow in the ways that would lead you away from the kingdom of God, you are separating yourself from God and the promised land. God wants you to be reconciled to Him in His Kingdom. Why would He be happy if you chose another way and rejected the promised gift?
The Israelites feared entering into the promised land in the way that God would have them go. They feared and chose another way. They rejected God's full promise to them, at least in the way that He would give it to them. And... God was angry. The consequence was to wander around outside the promised land for forty more years. For sure God was with them as they continued their journey through the wilderness. And... God is with you. You have no need to fear following in the way that God has prepared for you through Jesus Christ, our LORD.
God's Peace - Pr. J
P.S. If you're having problems remembering the story, read again the story of how the Israelites decided, out of fear, that they would not enter the promised land as God directed them. It can be found in Numbers 13 and 14.
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