“Would to God that we died in this wilderness. As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as you have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you” (Numbers 14:2, 28).
The children of Israel were very near entering the Promised Land. Their journey in the barren desert could soon have been over and the land that was lush with wonderful food and abundant blessings awaiting them realized! But they learned of the armies that awaited them, and they panicked. They deliberately rejected God’s plan, prayed a horrible prayer that they wanted to die in this wilderness rather than go and fight. So God answered them with a divine, “Okay then.” Robert was an elderly man who didn’t say much. Several times he had heard the gospel message but would not respond. When asked why, he said, “Long ago I told the Lord to leave me alone. I told Him, ‘I don’t want anything to do with You, God.’ And He has done just about that. He’s left me alone, and now I don’t even want to know Him.” It was a sobering thing for the young Christian to hear as he tried to witness to him. “But you’re alive. You still can respond!” pled the young man. “Not interested. Now you leave me alone, too,” growled old Robert as he walked away. More about this tomorrow.
For today: Keep your heart tender toward the Lord. Do not rebel at His plan and purpose. Trust Him fully.