-Twenty Seven- We Don't Wanna Go!

We Don’t Wanna Go!!

Today’s Reading: Numbers 13 and 14:1-20

Focal Verse: Numbers 14:20

Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word.”

The only time my son had a temper tantrum was when he was three years old and we went to the zoo. As the time came to leave, he didn’t want to go and screamed as we carried him away. Our son did not realize that life held many things for him that would be far greater than the zoo.

Sometimes in life, we become like this. We feel content in the place where we are and don’t want to leave, even if God is promising us so much more in another place or situation.

This was the state of mind of the Israelites. They had become comfortable with the nomadic life they led, but the time had come for God to fulfill a wonderful promise to them. They didn’t want it. They were frightened. After all the miracles God had performed during their lifetimes, suddenly they were too scared to go on with Him. They listened to the fears of the majority and would even have gone back to slavery rather than go forward with God (see Nehemiah 9:17).

God offered to disinherit the Israelites and make a new nation from Moses, but Moses reminded Him of His mercy, saying, “Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” And God did give them mercy. He did not destroy them. He did not send them back into slavery. They (the adults) also did not receive the Promised Land, because of their repeated rejection of God, but their descendants did. Most importantly, God did not withdraw His favor and presence.

As a believer, you can trust that, even if you throw a “temper tantrum”, He will not forsake you either.

If you have refused to go with God, ask for His grace and forgiveness now.