SCRIPTURE
"So the LORD's anger burned that day, and He swore an oath: 'Because they did not follow Me completely, none of the men 20 years old or more who came up from Egypt will see the land I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-- none except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, because they did follow the LORD completely.'"
(Numbers 32:10-12)."
OBSERVATION
The whole generation, except for two, was not allowed to enter the promised land because they did not follow the Lord completely. God is serious about obedience. I wonder if we've made our relationship with him too casual? Have we made it more multiple choice than true/false? Yes, God is a God of grace. But His mercy is also balanced by his justice, holiness, and righteousness. To focus on one, to the neglect of the others, is to have a disproportionate God. In turn, we'll have a disproportionate faith and walk with Him.
APPLICATION
I've been guilty of abusing grace. Worshiping a multiple choice God...choosing what I prefer (love over justice, mercy over righteousness). God wants me to follow completely. Yes, there are the times when I stumble, but they should be the exception, not the rule. Grace is there to cover over the goof-ups but it is not there to provide a permission slip to slip-up whenever I want. Obedience is not convenient. It always costs. Am I willing to pay the price?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for the times I've used grace as a permission slip to slip-up in my walk with you. Help me to be more like Caleb and Joshua. Walking with their level of commitment and obedience. Amen.
