Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 106:24-27
Ps 106:24-27
24 Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. 25 They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. 26 So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the desert, 27 make their descendants fall among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.
Heb 3:16-19
16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
It is so easy for us to criticize the children of Israel as they journeyed from Egypt toward the land that God had promised to give them. From one perspective we wonder how anyone could see the miracles done in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea and the many times God gave them food and water in the desert and then not trust him to lead them into the land. On the other hand we see all that God has done for us today and how he has made our salvation possible in Jesus but we forget all of that and turn away to follow our own desires as we doubt that he can do what he has promised us in our lives. It is always easier to see the failures and shortcomings of others than it is to admit our own weaknesses and sin.
Paul tells us that all these things happened as examples for us that we not turn away in unbelief. God withdrew his promises of protection because they did not keep their end of the agreement. When they heard the law read to them they responded by saying they would keep it all and serve God alone. Moses told them at the time that they would not do this but they insisted that they would.
This reminds us of Peter when Jesus told him that he would deny him three times that very night. Peter responded by saying he would never deny him; in fact he would fight to the death for him. And he really meant what he said. In the garden he drew his sword against great odds and started swinging! But when he stood in the crowd alone and was questioned, he lost his courage and denied his Lord.
My Father in heaven, holy and awesome is your name in all the earth. Far too many times I have criticized others and their lack of faithfulness only to fail to be all you want me to be. Please forgive me for thinking too much of myself and also for failing to truly trust you in my daily life. Help me learn from the children of Israel and from the actions of Peter to trust you completely and to obey you in all things. Help me love you above all else and to keep my heart focused on you and the things above where Jesus is seated. I pray in his holy name.
Robert
