Numbers 14:39-45 Selected Verses
….”We have sinned” they said. We will go to the place the Lord promised.”….41 But Moses said “ Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed! Do not go up because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies,….”
The Israelites had just sent twelve spies into the Promised Land to see what it was like so they would know what they were up against. Ten of the twelve spies gave a negative report because they could not believe they could defeat the people living in the land. They disregarded God’s promise to give them the land. God became angry with them for not believing His promise. When God threatened to destroy them, they half-heartedly said they would go up and take the land. At that point, God was not with them. They would have to go it alone and they were not able to accomplish the victory. Moses told them not to go but they went anyway and were repelled.
It always works best when we follow God’s plan. To do that, we need to prayerfully discern the plan. When we try to do things in our own power, it does not work out well. When God goes before us, He makes crooked places straight. We can stand and watch what the Lord will do. God promised to give Israel the land and He is faithful. When Israel tried on their own, they were defeated. Later under Joshua, when they followed God’s plan, the walls of Jericho fell at their trumpet blast because it was God’s doing.
Are you doing things in your own power? What has the Lord called you to do? Are you following His will for your life and being blessed or do you feel it is an uphill battle? Do you think that God has given you all the answers and that you can do it on your own now? You may not like those results.
Ephesians 6:13 says “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Have you heard the expression “Let go and let God.”? You are to do all you can and let God do what you can’t. When you are in the center of His will, He will fight your battles! He will give you the desires of your heart. He is known as Jehova Jireh, the Lord our Provider.
Do you want success or defeat? When I was offered the opportunity to go to Honduras in 2014, I prayed for God’s guidance about the trip. When I was still, I got the calling to go. I was going to a foreign country 3000 miles from home. I did not speak the language. I had never been out of the USA. I did not know any of the people on the trip. I did not know the job I would be doing. I was completely out of my comfort zone but not afraid. The whole time, I felt protected. Everything went well. The people were all wonderful and I felt comfortable like I was guided and loved. I knew God was with me. In fact, He said “Trust Me!” That is how I want all my life to be. I want to live as God wants me to live. How about you?
Father, I thank You for Your protection and grace. I thank You that You know what’s best for us and You always lead us in the right path if we will just listen. Thank You for going before us making the paths straight and blessing us in our daily walk with You! Amen!