Today’s Reading Numbers 33-34
Focal Scripture: Numbers 33:55 “but if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs for your yes and thorns for your sides; they will harass you in the land where you will live.”
In this passage God is telling the Israelites what to do when they enter the promised land. His instructions are clear and concise. He has expectations for his people to follow and accomplish. It might sound harsh but God has his purpose for driving the people out of the land. That purpose is to make it clean and give it to his chosen people.
God is warning the people that if they do not follow these instructions it will cause them many problems in the future. He is even very specific and tells them that the people left will become barbs in their eyes. That is a very powerful image. God then goes on to explain that the people will harass them where they live. Disobedience will have consequences.
This should be a powerful lesson for all who read this passage. When God gives instructions it is best to be obedience and have success. When those instructions are not followed pain and suffering will follow. How many times can you look at your life and see that God told you to not do something or to do something and you did not obey. What happened? I know if my personal life when I have not followed his prompting or obeyed scripture my life has always been much worse.
Why does this happen? It is because I believe I know more than God, if I am honest. I see my own wants and desires and I believe that God is getting in the way. I become my own God. I am sure you have experienced the same thing in your Christian walk.
My encouragement to you today is simple. Obey God. Whatever he is telling you to do, just follow his plan. Are you called into ministry? Surrender and Follow Him. Are you called to serve another person? Surrender and Follow Him. Are you being called to repent of a sin? Surrender and Follow Him. Obedience to Christ is a sweet calling that demonstrates faith and trust in our creator.
Surrender and Follow Him.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Numbers 35-36
