Have you ever considered that obedience is something to be learned? Even Jesus learned obedience, and He modeled it by coming to Earth "to do the will of the Father" (Hebrews 10:9). "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Scripture attests that merely knowing the Word of God is not sufficient; one must trust and obey. Even Satan knows the Scriptures (Matthew 4) and trembles in the presence of God (James 2:19). To please God, one must trust Him and obey Him at all costs (Hebrews 11:6; Proverbs 3:5; James 1:22-23).
Joshua, Caleb, and ten others (one from each tribe), entered Canaan for a feasibility study when God commanded them to plan a siege (Numbers 13:1-2). God had guaranteed that He would give them Canaan, the Promised Land, but they surveyed the probability of success for a campaign to be led by their hand, not God's. Israel cowered in the face of opposition, and in fear, they refused to trust and obey God. God was not happy with this decision; He recalls ten times that the people acted in disobedience; therefore, an entire generation would miss the Promised Land (Numbers 14:21-22). Because of disobedience, a generation of people aimlessly wandered in the wilderness for forty years and died (Numbers 13-19). Despite their failure to trust and obey, God's promises and covenant with His people would not be suspended. The Promised Land was an eleven-day journey that took forty years because of a refusal to trust and obey God (Deuteronomy 1:2).
The forty years of wondering seems, at a surface level, to be unfair or excessive discipline. But God is all-knowing, and He responds with the most suitable reaction to the disobedience of His children. The wilderness experience was tough love from God (Psalm 147:5). Many suffered aimless defeat so that multitudes could later thrive. God disciplined them as a good father does, and He loves the one he disciplines (Hebrews 12:6). The rewards of this discipline are still, to this day, not fully seen. Today, people are again turning to Yahweh and fearing God due to Israel's mistakes and reproving. This account convicts me to not miss God's promises in the face of fear, unbelief, and disobedience.
The metanarrative of Scripture is solid proof that God uses trusting faith. How is God calling you to trust Him? What devastating consequences may befall disobedience? Will you choose to make your submissiveness a testimony of God's faithfulness? God wants us to trust Him and be loyal, as we love Him with all of our hearts (Matthew 22:37-39). Lord, help us to fix our hearts on your plans that you have set forth. May we refuse distractions which seem attractive and choose obedience to your instructions, regardless of personal inclination. May we love you most; others second, and put ourselves last. Lord, help me to trust You and not waste what You have for me! I want to see Your promises come to fruition. Enhance my confidence in You so that I concede that the battle belongs to You and You alone.
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