"All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, '....If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!...We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.'" (Numbers 14, NIV)
What were they saying here?!? Were they saying, "Anything is better than this?" O, how many struggling ones today are in this exact same place.
Our text is a classic life style of, "if only." How often, in the lonely hours of the day, these words are on the lips of so many who once surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Saddened and discouraged, they turn to, "if only," and, "go back," like a drug. Yet the Israelites in our text are like the person who repents of sin, receives Jesus and is born of the Spirit. He comes to the realization that what he is leaving behind is literally, "hell on earth." Then what happens over time to so many is the same as in our text, "We should choose a leader and go back...." And believe me; there are many "leaders" who are more than willing to help one, "go back," if that is what is in one's heart.
Jesus led them out of Egypt, "with an outstretched arm." Jesus led them, "on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Jesus provided water. Jesus provided bread. This is exactly what Jesus did/does for you and me. Yet the ugly demonic force of, "if only", came upon them. If one harbors, "if only," in the heart, "go back," is sure to follow. This "spirit" attacks us when things are going particularly "bad" for us. I have known far too many who live in this, "go back," mode. Nothing is working out as "promised." Everything they ever believed or were "taught" seems to be shouting, "LIES," to them. Now most "go backers," are closet ones. They effectively keep it from others, but what does that solve?
The remedy for, "go back," is found in Hebrews 11. "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth....If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one."
The daily choice here is quite clear: We can die in, "'if only', and, 'go back,' mode," or we can die in, "faith mode." I know you will choose wisely.
Father, in Jesus' name, help any who may be reading this who are battling with, "if only," and, "go back." I pray that we are of those, "still living by faith when when they died." Amen.
What were they saying here?!? Were they saying, "Anything is better than this?" O, how many struggling ones today are in this exact same place.
Our text is a classic life style of, "if only." How often, in the lonely hours of the day, these words are on the lips of so many who once surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Saddened and discouraged, they turn to, "if only," and, "go back," like a drug. Yet the Israelites in our text are like the person who repents of sin, receives Jesus and is born of the Spirit. He comes to the realization that what he is leaving behind is literally, "hell on earth." Then what happens over time to so many is the same as in our text, "We should choose a leader and go back...." And believe me; there are many "leaders" who are more than willing to help one, "go back," if that is what is in one's heart.
Jesus led them out of Egypt, "with an outstretched arm." Jesus led them, "on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Jesus provided water. Jesus provided bread. This is exactly what Jesus did/does for you and me. Yet the ugly demonic force of, "if only", came upon them. If one harbors, "if only," in the heart, "go back," is sure to follow. This "spirit" attacks us when things are going particularly "bad" for us. I have known far too many who live in this, "go back," mode. Nothing is working out as "promised." Everything they ever believed or were "taught" seems to be shouting, "LIES," to them. Now most "go backers," are closet ones. They effectively keep it from others, but what does that solve?
The remedy for, "go back," is found in Hebrews 11. "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth....If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one."
The daily choice here is quite clear: We can die in, "'if only', and, 'go back,' mode," or we can die in, "faith mode." I know you will choose wisely.
Father, in Jesus' name, help any who may be reading this who are battling with, "if only," and, "go back." I pray that we are of those, "still living by faith when when they died." Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
