Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:32-36
“In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
When the LORD heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: "Not a man of this EVIL generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly."
Observation:
These people were not Sodom & Gomorra. They were not involved n “gross” sin - in the way we would define it. They were not involved in sexual perversions, they were not committing murder, nor were they stealing.
What was their sin that made them evil in God’s sight? They did not trust Him. After a history of God’s goodness, miracles, protection, etc., they could still not trust God.
Sometimes you can figure out the character of God by a study in opposites. If it is true that a lack of trust is so huge that it is defined by God as EVIL, then it must be true that trust in God would be defined as RIGHTEOUSNESS. In fact, the Bible said that Abraham’s belief/trust in God was credited to Him as righteousness.
Application:
I wonder how many times I was less than righteous before God - what promises have I dismissed, what commandments I reasoned away, what trouble did I borrow, where have I expected the worst, instead of trusting God to be good to me?
I want to live a righteous life so I must live a life of hope, faith, belief, and trust in God. Anything else relates more to my flesh (evil) than my spirit (the part of me that connects to God). “Without faith it’s impossible to please the Lord your God.”
Prayer:
Father, Thank you that I have a history that is marked by your goodness. Through all the “impossible” situations you have shown yourself strong and good. The lines in my life have fallen for me in good places. Help my history with you empower my future by building my trust in you. In Jesus name, AMEN!
