Numbers 14:1-10 DISMAY There are lessons for life that we learn from the people of God of past years that are recorded in history as examples to us. When we begin to take things into our own hands, there are serious negative events that will follow. God had intended His people to right on into Canaan and claim His promised land. To send spies to bring a report was not an act of faith in Him. The report they brought back was true but the conclusion was wrong. To think that we can live in an ungodly world, among people who have no time for God without any difficulties arising, is unrealistic and a foolish assumption. All of us, when we were in our sins, walked according to our flesh in the darkness of unbelief. The god of this world blinds the minds of people to hide from them the light of God's grace. When we have been made alive in Christ, then we have the ability to see beyond obstacles to the goal God has in mind for us.
Ten spies added to their report their own opinion and Satan took advantage of their false judgment. Their evil report contradicted the confidence of Caleb who said, "We are able." Unbelief shuts God out of the picture. In the case of the children of Israel, it resulted in the whole camp spending the whole night weeping out loud. The words of unbelief of a few, can have far-reaching effects. Words spoken unadvisedly may not seen important at the moment by the one speaking, but we must remember that once something is said, it is almost impossible to stop the effect of it. When the word of God is spoken, it "will not return to God void." Our commission to herald the Gospel has divine sanction. To speak lies, or gossip against another person is condemned in scripture. To verbalize unbelief is to deceive others and bring dismay and defeat where there could have been victory to men and glory to God.
The children of Israel were occupied with themselves and their own opinions. Dismay and fear expressed, spreads like a wildfire and people around are affected by the unbelief of others. The Israelites said they were fearful for their children. Those same children would have what their parents forfeited by their unbelief. The confidence and optimism of Caleb and Joshua was overtaken by the pessimism and defeat of unbelief. When we start to look at circumstances around us, and take our eyes of faith off God, then we will experience defeat in our lives.
God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and His seed. Even though that promise was given over 400 years before, and had been repeated many times after, the people of God did not think they were able to claim those promises for themselves. We need to learn to possess our possessions. The things we grasp with our hands and think are ours, are only temporary. They can be lost with a change of government, a fire or even the weakness of our own fleshly interests. What God has promised is sure. The promises of God a "Yea and Amen." They can be counted on no matter what happens around us. All the blessings we have in Christ, beginning with the gift of eternal life to the inheritance of things yet to come, are sure and we can live in the good of them now.
When people act in unbelief, the things seen have more power over the human will, than the unseen things that are eternal. We need to remember the promises of God never fail. We need to learn from the failures of those in the past so we won't have to go through those same experiences ourselves. The children of Israel had made a golden calf as an idol, and had to suffer the consequences. They did not learn from their own mistakes. Now they wanted to choose a captain for themselves and return to slavery. Whenever God's people lose sight of God and want to act independently, they fall into the traps of self-will and superstition and follow the advice of men who say what they think is right instead of the tried and proven truth of God.
Strangely, even today people get upset by the testimony of faith and truth. It happened in the camp of Israel, and it happens among people today. Caleb and Joshua gave a clear uncompromising testimony of their faith in the Lord and the people wanted to stone them. It is a sad but true testimony that the carnal man can act in a way that adapts to the natural man. There is a part of us that wants independence regardless of the truth. Adam and Eve acted in that way and it has "passed upon all men." But the people of God must stand for the truth no matter what pressures may be applied by those around us. Truth, faith and power go together when we know the Lord, and are willing to follow Him.
Some of God's people live in doubts, fears and unhappiness because they look at themselves and what is happening in their lives at the moment, and not at God. In the life of a believer, our strength, joy and praise come from God, not from the world. God has given to us the spirit of "power, and love and of a sound mind." Our minds control the actions of our lives and we must bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." God's grace is sufficient for every need that might arise. A spiritual person will experience the work of the Holy Spirit in life in spite of what appears to be adverse circumstances. We need to remember the words of a hymn, "Be not dismayed what're betide, God will take care of you."
What an awful sound is coming out of the darkness - Grown men and women are weeping! That is the consequences when no one harkens - And the promises of God are not seeking! God has not changed; it is our unbelief - Light is overhead, it is darkness underneath - When we don't act in faith, we experience grief - And we don't think God is His promises keeping!
What a terrible choice to ignore God's promises - The consequences will be hard to bear! To doubt Him who in grace set His love upon us - Should create in us an awful fear! He has brought us safely thus far - He has preserved us because His we are - He has made new what in sin once did mar - He intends us His image to wear!
What pressures come on us when others doubt - We must lift up our eyes in faith! When opinions of others and human will they flaunt - We must recall again the blessings of grace! God does not change; He is true to His name - He is yesterday, today, forever the same - Never from our lips should ever come blame - When I the ways of God with me do trace!
"Father, perhaps the winter of my life has come and there is a tendency to hibernate too early. May the fragrance of spring be in my heart, the warmth of summer be shared with others, and the harvest time of autumn still be experienced by Thy servant. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."