Wilderness Whining
Throughout 2020 we will be reading through the Bible together using the 2020 Reading Plan, which is broken up into 16 sections, each of which follows the narrative thread of the Bible by incorporating both Old Testament and New Testament passages. In conjunction with the reading plan we will post blog articles for each of the 16 sections in hopes that they will help to shed light on what you are reading. As always, our prayer is that this is deeply beneficial to your soul and your personal walk with Jesus.
Blessings,
Gavin
WILDERNESS WHINING: RUNNING LOW ON FAITH
[Numbers 11, 14, 20-21; Psalm 95; John 3, 6; 1 Corinthians 10; Hebrews 3]
Over the next 2-3 weeks we’ll be taking a closer look at Israel’s wilderness wanderings in Numbers and how the New Testament demonstrates its application to us. As you read through the passages you’ll see that faith is a funny thing. Faith is real, but by definition, faith is the confidence in things you don’t see or experience through your five senses. It can’t be seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted. Yet it’s real. We exercise faith every single day. Every time you get into a car you have faith that your city’s system of traffic lights and road signs will create an environment safe enough for you to reach your destination. If you didn’t believe that, you probably wouldn’t risk getting in the car.
Even the most rational person, basing all decisions on some perceived accumulation of “evidence” still operates by faith. Faith that the facts they trust are being interpreted honestly. Faith that the facts observed will continue to operate in the same way in the future. The point is that we all exercise faith daily; it’s a necessary component of life as a human being. Faith in God is no different.
Your faith is in direct proportion to what you believe about God in any given moment. God presents himself as sovereign is in control over all events and their outcomes. He’s wise knowing which is the best action to take with full knowledge of all other possible outcomes (think Dr. Strange in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame). He’s good, meaning that he uses his sovereignty and wisdom to bring about the eternal joy and flourishing of all who follow him. He’s personal, meaning that he is near to his people, relating to us as a loving and perfect Father who always desires what’s best for his children. So, putting your faith into action is really a matter of applying these truths to any and every situation.
Are you anxious because of the lack of certainty about the future because of COVID-19? That’s understandable. It’s good to remember that God is sovereign, wise, good, and personal to you right in the middle of your anxiety. Israel in the wilderness is a classic case study of people following God who have forgotten who he is and what he has promised. The effects are not good!
In Numbers 11, the Israelites respond with DISCONTENTMENT toward God rather than faith. They had just been freed from generational slavery in Egypt by the most miraculous wonders anyone had ever seen. It was an experience that should promote incredible confidence in the God who saved them. Instead, their focused turned to all they didn’t possess and allowed themselves to reach a level of discontentment that caused many to want to go back to Egypt. What kind of person wants to go back to slavery after having already been set free? The kind of person who isn’t thinking straight. God hadn’t changed at all, they just allowed the circumstances to cause them to forget.
In Numbers 13-14, the Israelites demonstrate a disturbing level of PRESUMPTION. They were on the edge of the Promised Land and, again, rather than exercise faith they chose to look at the size of the cities and soldiers present and chose to believe that God wouldn’t be able to overcome their circumstances. When God promised punishment for their lack of faith, they presumed that God would give them a do-over. They entered the land with shields up, swords drawn, and without God. They were defeated and embarrassed by opposing armies as a result. The Israelites had taken God’s grace and presumed upon it believing that they could pull out God’s grace and use it whenever convenient for them - like a fast pass at a theme park. True faith doesn’t presume, it responds in the proper thankfulness whenever grace is. received because true faith knows it isn’t deserved.
Throughout the rest of the chapters you’ll see Israel’s impatience and you’ll see their idolatry as they begin to trust in other things besides God. My hope is that these passages work to reflect your own soul like a mirror. See your own discontentment and presumption in your relationship with God. And when you do, remember that God is sovereign, wise, good, and loves you personally. Remembering that will draw you right back into faith and give you what you need to handle the circumstance at hand. And, by all means, if you lack faith, pray for more. God gives good gifts freely and abundantly, so don’t hesitate to ask for what you need!