They Have Heard

Scripture: But Moses replied to the Lord, "The Egyptians will hear about it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from them. They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, Lord, are among these people, how You, Lord, are seen face to face, how Your cloud stands over them, and how You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. If You kill this people with a single blow, the nations that have heard of Your fame will declare, 'Since the Lord wasn’t able to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.'" Numbers 14:13-16

Observation: As a result of the final rebellion of Israel - refusal to enter the promised land - God declares his intent to destroy them. However, Moses talks him out of it, and his appeal is this ... other people throughout the entire land of heard of God's greatness, strength, actions, and love. If they die now, those people will doubt God's power to deliver the people, and only believe in his power to destroy. This, of course, wouldn't be because the Lord is capable, but because of Israel's lack of faith and the resulting judgment of a God offended by that unfaithful response.

This scenario echoes today. Especially in the U.S., non-believers have heard of God, they have even heard of his power and greatness, and they might even have witnessed it or at least been told of situations where others did. Yet they see Christians ... struggle, sin, complain, lament, and fail in life, and thus arrive at the conclusion that there is no benefit to faith because the Lord doesn't deliver his people. Maybe he harms them, or at least sits back and does nothing while they struggle, but he certainly doesn't deliver.

Application: I know I have been delivered by Yahweh ... he provides for me daily, and he provided ultimate redemption through Jesus. However, just like everyone else, my struggles may witness against that IF I promote those struggles and fail to promote my salvation.

Others have heard about God. They have heard of his greatness, faithfulness, love, and power. They have heard he created all things and provides all things. They just don't see any benefit in exploring, understanding, and thus believing that.

Prayer: Lord, again, may my complaints not exist, for I know your love and provision in my life. I would like all Christians become not just witnesses, but examples of you, by talking more about how your love has blessed us, and a lot less about how this earthly realm weighs upon us. Amen.