Prone To Wander

Reading:  Numbers 33, 34
My Verse:  "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell" (33:55).

This is a hard lesson, LORD God.  It is so easy to get side tracked here and look only at the absoluteness of your command.  You seem to show no mercy to the inhabitants of the land that the Israelites are to move into.  Yet, I know that You did this out of love.  You did this because You know the hearts of Your loved ones.  You know how we are so prone to wander from You!

You told them "Then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you and destroy all their figured stones and all their molten images and completely demolish all their [idolatrous] high places" (33:52). This verse shows that the focus of this command is to "destroy all their figured stones and all their molten images and completely demolish all their [idolatrous] high places."  It is the sin that You want driven out, all vestiges of the sinful practices of the inhabitants of the land.  Because even a small bit of it will drag down Your people.  Even a small bit of it will fester and grow.  Sin is something that cannot be bridled or kept in place.  How we need to realize that!

This command has to do with Your love for those that do follow You.  You know us so well.  You know our weakness.  You knew that the Isrealites would easily be swayed by the religions of those around them.    How we need to take this to heart today.  We are so prone to fall under the spell of sin - it can be attractive. It can appear fun and with it!  It can appear like the 'new thing.'  Oh, how easily we can wander from You, LORD God!

I am learning that timing plays a big part in Your commands.  You did not let Abraham take over the land earlier but instead the people spent many years in Egypt.  "After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction" (Genesis 15:16). You were allowing the inhabitants of the land more time - more time to repent and turn back to You.  You do not wish that any should perish.  Only when You know there is no longer any hope for someone do You finally take their life from them. So You are a merciful God.  You are a God of love and compassion.

What a wonderful lesson this is for me today!  How I need to guard my heart against sin!  "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).

How important to remove all vestiges of sin "destroy all . . . figured stones and all . . . molten images and completely demolish all . . . [idolatrous] high places" from my life. We, today are surrounded by many things that do no honor You. Help me LORD God to be discerning and sensitive to Your guidance in this.  

Thank You for this lesson.  I know I am prone to wander from You.  Help me to  trust You to keep me.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!