April 20, 2020
What does it say?
Moses’ intercession for the Israelites held back God’s immediate wrath. But when they tried to enter the land on their own, the Amalekites and Canaanites defeated them.
What does it mean?
God had never once failed to take care of His people, yet they constantly displayed a lack of faith when challenges arose. Looking back on His faithfulness should have given them the trust needed to go into the land He promised them. It was only after judgment was passed on their defiance and on the ten who spread the bad report about the land that they admitted their sin. But rather than repent, the people rebelled against God’s judgment and tried to take control by entering the land against the advice of Moses. As a result of being outside of God’s will, leadership, and protection—they were defeated.
How should I respond?
You have two options when challenges arise: trust God or take control. Like the Israelites, we sometimes sit on our hands when God tells us to move, or we try to make something happen when He wants us to wait or stop. In what current challenge do you need to trust God more? How have you tried to manipulate the outcome on your own? Think back on how God has been faithful and trustworthy in the past. Allow those times to strengthen your faith and obedience for today’s challenges. Ask God to reveal any evidence of rebellion in your life. How will you display trust in God today?|For further reading, Numbers 15.