Defeated by Disobedience

Responding To God's Grace

God is Faithful

Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

God Forgives

Numbers 14:36-45 New International Version
36 So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it— 37 these men who were responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.
39 When Moses reported this to all the Israelites, they mourned bitterly. 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 Lordpromised. 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, 43 for the Amalekites and the Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you and, you will fall by the sword.”
44 Nevertheless, in their presumption, they went up toward the highest point in the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.

For Reflection

Bolstered by the fear-mongering of some of the spies, the people doubled-down, Now filled with distrust of God, they were willing to disobey God's plan for peaceful coexistence in the promised land. In their reliance on themselves, they thought they knew better than God.

Success never begins with sin. Going in on their own without God ensured their defeat.  And so it is for us.

Pray
Pray and renew your commitment to God's plan for the salvation of humankind. Pray so that you can depend on God's grace, power, and promise of rest from our wearinesses.

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