Surety of God's Salvation
Reading: Numbers 13, 14
My Verse: "And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes. And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD . . ." (14:6 - 9).
Oh, LORD God how refreshing and encouraging to my spirit is this story of Joshua and Caleb. These two wonderful men who were so assured of You, of Your salvation. They had absolutely no doubt of the victory You would bring them despite the witness of the other eight scouts. Even though they were the minority here it did not sway them from their trust in You and sureness in Your provision for them.
How we need this encouragement in today's world. We are in the minority. But like Caleb and Joshua we need not doubt that You are God, Almighty! We need not doubt that You will carry us through whatever endeavor we embark upon if we but trust and rely on You and Your guidance and provision.
Throughout Your word You bring us stories of not only Your provision but also the results of rebelling against You. The eight scouts that brought the bad report, and swayed the people against You were struck with a plague and died. Then the awful punishment on the rest of the Israelites that rebelled. They were to wander for forty long years and die in the wilderness. They would die lost and wandering - never finding the home that only You can provide us - the promised land.
The events of verses 39 -45 are interesting and alarming.. Here the Israelites mourn after Moses tells them Your judgment on them. They then decide to go up and fight the enemy. Moses warns them that God is no longer with them and will not help them because of their disobedience. Even with all that has happened the people ignore the warning of Moses and try to fight. They are sorely defeated.
Oh, LORD God help me to be ever sensitive to Your guiding hand. I do not want to be as the Israelites here - constantly rebelling and bringing Your wrath upon themselves.
There does seem to be a point of no return. I don't think we can ever know when that is but how I pray for the many loved ones that continue to put You off. Even though You are ever patient, this story shows that there is a point where there seems to be no turning.
I pray that I live my life in such a way as to show the surety I have in Your salvation. I pray this that I might be an encouraging witness for You - a witness like Caleb and Joshua. I pray that this surety of who I am - a child of You, will be visible to those around me.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Help me to bravely pray as Paul did. "But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Thank You for the testimony of Caleb and Joshua!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Numbers 13, 14
My Verse: "And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes. And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD . . ." (14:6 - 9).
Oh, LORD God how refreshing and encouraging to my spirit is this story of Joshua and Caleb. These two wonderful men who were so assured of You, of Your salvation. They had absolutely no doubt of the victory You would bring them despite the witness of the other eight scouts. Even though they were the minority here it did not sway them from their trust in You and sureness in Your provision for them.
How we need this encouragement in today's world. We are in the minority. But like Caleb and Joshua we need not doubt that You are God, Almighty! We need not doubt that You will carry us through whatever endeavor we embark upon if we but trust and rely on You and Your guidance and provision.
Throughout Your word You bring us stories of not only Your provision but also the results of rebelling against You. The eight scouts that brought the bad report, and swayed the people against You were struck with a plague and died. Then the awful punishment on the rest of the Israelites that rebelled. They were to wander for forty long years and die in the wilderness. They would die lost and wandering - never finding the home that only You can provide us - the promised land.
The events of verses 39 -45 are interesting and alarming.. Here the Israelites mourn after Moses tells them Your judgment on them. They then decide to go up and fight the enemy. Moses warns them that God is no longer with them and will not help them because of their disobedience. Even with all that has happened the people ignore the warning of Moses and try to fight. They are sorely defeated.
Oh, LORD God help me to be ever sensitive to Your guiding hand. I do not want to be as the Israelites here - constantly rebelling and bringing Your wrath upon themselves.
There does seem to be a point of no return. I don't think we can ever know when that is but how I pray for the many loved ones that continue to put You off. Even though You are ever patient, this story shows that there is a point where there seems to be no turning.
I pray that I live my life in such a way as to show the surety I have in Your salvation. I pray this that I might be an encouraging witness for You - a witness like Caleb and Joshua. I pray that this surety of who I am - a child of You, will be visible to those around me.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Help me to bravely pray as Paul did. "But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Thank You for the testimony of Caleb and Joshua!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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