With God On Your Side
Scripture: Numbers 21:4-5,25-26, 34-35
"But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”25 So Israel captured all the towns of the Amorites and settled in them, including the city of Heshbon and its surrounding villages. 26 Heshbon had been the capital of King Sihon of the Amorites. He had defeated a former Moabite king and seized all his land as far as the Arnon River...So the people of Israel occupied the territory of the Amorites...35 And Israel killed King Og, his sons, and all his subjects; not a single survivor remained. Then Israel occupied their land."
Observations:
I'm amazed at how the Israelites were so repeatedly rebellious against God and never seemed to learn their lesson. Every time they complained and rebelled God judged them, and yet despite their numerous flaws God found it in His heart not to give up on them. In one chapter it's recorded another serious rebellious blunder by God's people but who by the end of it have conquered two very powerful enemies with God's help. What gives here? How is it possible for the very same group of people who seem to fail God miserably at points turn right around and experience God's favor, protection, and power to defeat their enemies? The simple answer: God was on their side. That little word called covenant is an important word to remember. Israel's covenant relationship with God was not a CONTRACT (you do my part and I'll do mine, but if you don't I won't either); rather it was a COVENANT (you do your part and I'll do mine, but if you don't I still will because I am permanently devoted to your ultimate good no matter what). By no stretch did Israel ever get away with any kind of sin, on the contrary their covenant relationship with God made them more responsible, not less. But the point of the story is pretty motivating when you consider how amazing God could have been on Israel's behalf had they chosen to consistently obey Him. When Israel rejected God's instructions they missed out on His blessings; but when they obeyed His voice they couldn't be stopped.
Application:
Despite our numerous shortcomings and failures, God has still promised "if [He] is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). The fact that through Christ we have entered into a new COVENANT relationship with God is no small matter. That doesn't mean we can do whatever we want and expect God to do nothing about it (the Israelites have repeatedly disproven that theory). However, God's faithfulness to us does not depend on our "goodness" or "badness" in His sight (2 Timothy 2:13). God is not looking for reasons to punish us, He is however longing for relationship with us and has fully committed Himself to us because of what Christ has done for us. Regardless of your track record thus far, God's deepest desire is for you to know Him and to be intimately involved in Your life. The only thing is, He will only be as involved in our lives as we allow Him to be. Choose today to focus on who He is and how much His faithfulness outweighs your shortcomings. Knowing that God is on our side, how can we do anything but overcome.
Prayer:
Father, we recognize Your love for us goes far beyond our successes and reaches below our greatest failures. Thank You for staying with us and for Your patience every day. Help us to go forward in Your favor and live victoriously as we seek to obey Your will today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”25 So Israel captured all the towns of the Amorites and settled in them, including the city of Heshbon and its surrounding villages. 26 Heshbon had been the capital of King Sihon of the Amorites. He had defeated a former Moabite king and seized all his land as far as the Arnon River...So the people of Israel occupied the territory of the Amorites...35 And Israel killed King Og, his sons, and all his subjects; not a single survivor remained. Then Israel occupied their land."
Observations:
I'm amazed at how the Israelites were so repeatedly rebellious against God and never seemed to learn their lesson. Every time they complained and rebelled God judged them, and yet despite their numerous flaws God found it in His heart not to give up on them. In one chapter it's recorded another serious rebellious blunder by God's people but who by the end of it have conquered two very powerful enemies with God's help. What gives here? How is it possible for the very same group of people who seem to fail God miserably at points turn right around and experience God's favor, protection, and power to defeat their enemies? The simple answer: God was on their side. That little word called covenant is an important word to remember. Israel's covenant relationship with God was not a CONTRACT (you do my part and I'll do mine, but if you don't I won't either); rather it was a COVENANT (you do your part and I'll do mine, but if you don't I still will because I am permanently devoted to your ultimate good no matter what). By no stretch did Israel ever get away with any kind of sin, on the contrary their covenant relationship with God made them more responsible, not less. But the point of the story is pretty motivating when you consider how amazing God could have been on Israel's behalf had they chosen to consistently obey Him. When Israel rejected God's instructions they missed out on His blessings; but when they obeyed His voice they couldn't be stopped.
Application:
Despite our numerous shortcomings and failures, God has still promised "if [He] is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). The fact that through Christ we have entered into a new COVENANT relationship with God is no small matter. That doesn't mean we can do whatever we want and expect God to do nothing about it (the Israelites have repeatedly disproven that theory). However, God's faithfulness to us does not depend on our "goodness" or "badness" in His sight (2 Timothy 2:13). God is not looking for reasons to punish us, He is however longing for relationship with us and has fully committed Himself to us because of what Christ has done for us. Regardless of your track record thus far, God's deepest desire is for you to know Him and to be intimately involved in Your life. The only thing is, He will only be as involved in our lives as we allow Him to be. Choose today to focus on who He is and how much His faithfulness outweighs your shortcomings. Knowing that God is on our side, how can we do anything but overcome.
Prayer:
Father, we recognize Your love for us goes far beyond our successes and reaches below our greatest failures. Thank You for staying with us and for Your patience every day. Help us to go forward in Your favor and live victoriously as we seek to obey Your will today. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
Comments
Post a Comment