1 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Do you see how negative the Israelites were? They were complaining, ready to give up too easily, preferring to go back to bondage rather than press through the wilderness into the Promised Land. Actually, they did not have a problem, they were the problem! These people felt sorry for themselves. Every inconvenience became a new excuse to engage in self-pity. You can be pitful or powerful, but you cannot be both. It is important to understand that we cannot entertain self-pity and also walk in the power of God.
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Moses and Aaron reacted to the Israelites' murmuring and complaining: they fell on their faces. This action of falling on one's face is an act of humility and seeking God in prayer. If all the Israelites had fell on their faces before God, they would have seen miracle after miracle. But they were too busy getting tripped up by feeling sorry for themselves, talking negatively, finding fault with God and Moses, and wanting to go back to Egypt. As they fell on their faces worshiping God they were demostrating to the Israelites their reverence to God and to show them they needed to do the same.
Likewise, we need to keep our faith positive by not letting pessimistic people steal our joy. We should not let doubters destroy our confidence. We should believe that God is a good God and has a good plan for our lives.
1 comment:
Father God, Let people hear about me and how you have directed my steps out of the Wilderness into Your Promised Land. Teach me to testify that You are in the midst of everything I do, that I know You intimately, that Your presence stands over me and that You go before me in every situation.
Amen
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