Now or Later

O. T. #333  "Now or Later"
July 31, 2014
Numbers 14-Part 6
Tut they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
Numbers 14:44-45


LET IT GLOW

I am the type of person that likes to plan out my day, my week. Now I am learning to be flexible. When something comes up, someone wants me to do a task, I am flexible to change my plans. Serving the Lord is more important than a day calendar filled and check off when completed. Waiting may not be in God's plans. It may be too late for the purpose to be accomplished. Do it now, not later. Now is the time to go and do. Israel had to learn that lesson the hard way. Check it out.

I really am trying to get through this chapter, but I am bogged down-Israel sent spies to check out the Promised Land instead of trusting God to keep His promise to give it to them; the ten spies gave their bad report and died 8 weeks later; Joshua and Caleb encouraged the Israelites to believe God could give the land to them; the Israelites were punished for their unbelief-forty years in the wilderness instead of living in the luscious land of promise.

God never breaks His promises. People break their promise to God. Although the ten men died, two did not-Joshua and Caleb. Caleb received his Promised Land some 40 years later, a mountain Hebron) which he wanted (Joshua 14:12) and where the patriarchs were buried. Joshua inherited on Mt. Ephraim, the city of Timnath-serah, which Joshua built and lived (Joshua 19:49-50).
FYI: Caleb was of the tribe of Judah and Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim (Joseph).

Are we staying faithful to our God? Our descendants will reap the blessings as a result.

LET IT GROW

In verse 39, we read:

• The Israelites mourned bitterly when Moses reported all of this to them.
• The next morning they went up toward the high hill country.
• The Israelites admitted that they had sinned.
• They said they would go up to the place the LORD promised.

But it was too late. Every "what" of God for our lives is usually accompanied by a "when," also. Timing can often determine the difference between obeying and disobeying the will of God.  (Falwell)

Moses told Israel:

• Do not to go up.
• The LORD was not with them.
• They would be defeated by their enemies.
• The Amalekites and Canaanites would face them there.
• Because they turned away from the LORD, He would not be with them.
• They would fall by the sword.

So it said. So it happened. In their presumption that God would be with them, defeat their enemies, and give them the land, but it did not happen at that time. Israel was smitten and discomfited, beaten back down the hill country.

KJV uses the word discomfited, which means to bruise, violently strike, beat down, break in pieces, crushed, destroy, smite. (Strong's Concordance)

God told them what to do, yet they chose to wait. When God reveals His will, gives us directions, that is the time to obey.

God's timing is perfect! When He speaks, the time to respond in obedience is now. there is no such thing as postponing a decision with God. Either we obey, or we disobey. It is either faith or unbelief, obedience or disobedience. He is fully aware of your circumstances. He knows all the He has built into your life until now, and He extends His invitation knowing that His resources are more than adequate for any assignment He give you. Now is always the acceptable time to respond to the Lord.
(Blackaby)

Are we ready and willing to obey what God tells us?

LET IT GO

Trust and obey God.

Love God with all my heart.

Follow His commands and His Spirit.

Be flexible.