One No Too Many

"They got up early the next morning and went up the ridge of the hill country, saying, "Let's go to the place the LORD promised, for we were wrong." But Moses responded, "Why are you going against the LORD's command? It won't succeed" (Num. 14:40-41).

Israel had stood at the doors of the promise land, but they allowed fear to grip their hearts. They trusted more in the strength of their enemies, than in the might of the Lord. God had delivered them with many demonstrations of his ability, yet they would not trust him. They rejected God's plan, and judgment was issued. Everyone over 20, except Caleb and Joshua, would perish in the desert. The quote above reveals their thinking the morning after God had spoken against them. They wanted a do-over, but it was not to be.

How many times to we harden our hearts against the will of God? Yet, each time we expect immunity. We assume that God's patience and grace will embrace us anew with the rising dawn, but will it. Is God required to extend to us mercy upon mercy? If so, what requires him to show his mercy? If not, why don't we fear him more? We have lulled ourselves into presuming on the grace of God.

These people thought that they could just undo their rebellion. They seem to be saying, "Sorry we weren't ready when you were Lord. Now we're ready." They report for duty to a job that is no longer open for them. They have been consigned to wander the desert until they die.

I wonder how many of us are one rebellion away from a wilderness wandering. We might arrogantly assume that God will get over it, but why would we believe that? If we can treat the blood of Christ with such contempt, what gives us the right to believe it covers our sins? Consider who these people were. They were the people rescued by the Passover Lamb, the people who walked through the parted waters, the people who had feasted on the bread come down from heaven. However, when they rejected the will of the Lord, the Lord punished them.  Is Christ not our Passover? Are we not baptized into his death? Is he not the Bread of Life? Will God not punish those who reject his Son?

We each stand at the intersection of obedience and disobedience many times everyday. Are we certain, as we weigh our options, that we can really come back this time? What if we rebel against him and our opportunity slips away forever? What if he allows our influence to diminish? What if he takes our lives, to preserve his glory? What if he allows the consequences of our sins to ravish us?

It will do no good to rise up the next day, and acknowledge the mistake. All our attempts from that point forward would be in vain. The remainder of our lives would be a joyless walk in the desert, until the sun set the last time on us. I think this is what Paul meant when he talked about people shipwrecking their faith. We make a fool's bargain when we jeopardize our testimony for the fleeting pleasures of sin. 

Numbers 14:1-45 should serve as a warning to us. There are many who see the Spirit at work, but who never experience the work of the Spirit in their heart. They profess Jesus, but they have never been born again. Then, there are believers who will damage their testimonies by participating in vile sin. Like Esau, they will cry out for the blessing, but none will be given. My heart trembles at this passage. I see in my heart a rebellious core. My flesh wars against the Spirit. Paul words come to mind, "Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:26-27, HCSB).

May it never be that we disqualify ourselves. Run with aim. Fight the good fight. Hold on. Stay Strong. It would be wise to remember that if you harden your heart one time too many, there is no coming back. There is no way to know which time is the one time too many. The promises are stretched out before you. In Christ Jesus, they are "yes," and the "amen" is spoken (2 Cor. 1:20). In faith, with humility, enter in.