Yet as surely as I live and as the whole earth is filled with the LORD’s glory, none of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested Me these 10 times and did not obey Me, will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have despised Me will see it. But since My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me completely, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:21-24 HCSB
When you think about it, our life on earth is simply a journey to the Promised Land of heaven. Jesus said in John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” We are meant to spend eternity in heaven.
The Israelites had been in bondage and enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years. They had fled Egypt after seeing God perform many miracles. In just a few days, they wound up at the Red Sea and watched God part the Red Sea so they could walk through on dry land. At this point, they have been in the wilderness for two years. They have consistently grumbled and complained. They have made comments like, “Why didn’t you just leave us in Egypt?” They have talked about how they had it better in Egypt. Remember, they were slaves who were being oppressed and abused back there, but oh well.
God had promised Abraham back in Genesis 13 that his heirs would inherit the land of Canaan. Moses has just sent 12 spies to scout the land. Ten came back with an unfavorable report. But Caleb and Joshua had a very favorable report and suggested that God would be with them, and they could take the land regardless of the giants that lived there or the fortified walls around some of the cities. Once again, however, the Israelites grumbled and complained against Moses. Actually, they were complaining against God. They said they would rather die in the wilderness than go into the Promised Land.
God had had enough of them. We have spent the beginning of the week talking about Romans 1:18-24. We talked about how there will come a time when God has had enough of our disobedience and will simply give us over to our sinful desires. This is exactly what God did with those grumbling, complaining Israelites. He wanted to destroy them, but Moses intervened. God relented on destroying them, but told them they would never enter the Promised Land. They would wander in the wilderness for another 38 years and die there. Then, as always, they were sorry. They were grieved. Their sorrow was not because of their own bad behavior; it was because of God’s discipline. But it was too late. God had made His decision, and it was final. They had said they would rather die in the wilderness than go into Canaan, and God simply gave them their wish. Sadly, Moses had been able to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but he had never been able to get Egypt out of the Israelites.
We are told that we should give thanks at all times in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We serve a good God who provides all we need (Matthew 6:33). He will fight for us (Exodus 14:14). He loves us so much, He gave His only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16).
If you spend your time being discontent with what God has given you, be very careful. He just might take it all away. If you spend your time grumbling about your situation as a so-called Christian and longing for your former life of sin, be careful, God might just give you over to it.
If you spend your life thinking the grass is always greener on the other side, remember that grass withers and dies eventually. Be thankful for all God gives to you. Even the hard times are growth opportunities.
Remember to be grateful on your journey to the Promised Land.
Have a great day!