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How long until they believe Me?

In Numbers Chapter 14 the children of Israel had finally made it to the promised land.  God is ready to take them in, ending their wandering in the wilderness.  He has done so many miracles on their behalf, feeding, clothing and protecting them.  And now they are afraid that if they go in, they will be killed by the giants that live there.  They had forgotten all the enemies God had defeated for them already.  They are so afraid they can't hear Joshua and Caleb's message of faith.

"If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it unto us; a land which floweth with milk and honey."  Numbers 14:8.

Upon hearing this the congregation was ready to stone them!

Moses and Aaron are flat on their faces praying.  Caleb and Joshua tear their clothes.  Where did the faith go?  The purpose of their wandering is about to be fulfilled, and the people want nothing to do with the land flowing with milk and honey.

So the Lord shows his glory to all the people gathered, and speaks to Moses.  "How long will this people provoke me? And how long will it be before they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them."  verse 11.

Seriously, after all God has done, can't they believe Him, and trust in His power and love now?

The Lord is ready to kill this faithless crowd for their lack of faith.  But Moses has faith and talks with God and appeals to Him concerning His reputation and character, quoting the words God had spoken on Mt Sinai when He described His character.
"The LORD is longsuffering , and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Pardon , I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. " verses 18 - 19.
So God didn't destroy them right then, He just took them back out into the wilderness where everyone over the age of 20 died of natural or other causes.  They didn't have to go into the promised land and face their fears or the giants there.  So sad.  They could have gone in, if they would have believed God.

Hundreds of years later Jesus came to the earth to shew the people of the world the love of the Father.  He did miracles, healed people, raised the dead, made bread and wine.  And the Jews shouted, "Crucify Him."

He said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16.

I notice a connection here between the times of Moses and those of Jesus and our time.  It is simply the word believe.  Do you believe God?  Or are you among those so afraid, you are ready to commit sin to get out of facing your fears.

Think about all you know about God from the Bible and all the wonders He has preformed on the earth and in the sky.  Think about your own life and all that God has done for you personally.  Is there enough evidence for you to believe?  The promise of the promised land, heaven and eternal life, is for those who believe.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Hebrews 11:6.

I think I have a clearer picture now of what it means to believe in God.  It means to have a stronger faith in God, based on past experience with Him, so that nothing intimidates you anymore.   He is the Saviour.

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