Belief and Obedience

"And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? ¹⁹ So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."

Hebrews 3:18-19

God brought the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt by a mighty hand and led them to the threshold of the Promised Land.  Yet upon hearing a bad report by 10 of the 12 spies sent into Canaan, the people were filled with fear and even regretted leaving Egypt!  They believed the reports of huge fortifications and giants in the land instead of looking to the almighty God who had brought them thus far:  the One who led them out would bring them in with victory.  Because they would not enter in God decreed that generation (save the two faithful spies Joshua and Caleb) could not enter the land.  Their unbelief led them to rebel rather than obey.

This is an incredibly relevant and thought-provoking situation to consider personally.  If unbelief prevented God's people from trust and obedience to Him, it is possible for us to hesitate on the threshold of blessings God has already provided for us.  Unbelief should be viewed as one of the greatest tragedies, completely preventable by undeterred faith in God marked by obedience.  I am saddened to think my life could at times be comparable to the Hebrews who witnessed the power of God yet turned their backs on what God had freely given them:  all they had to do was trust and enter in.  They would not do it, so God made it impossible for them to do it.  It seems they did not possess the spiritual insight of the author of Hebrews, for though they admitted they sinned at times unbelief was not something they repented of.

Believing and obeying, however, it not as easy as it may seem because it involves crucifixion:  first of Jesus Christ and then of our flesh so by faith the life of Jesus might live through us.  Unless we are born again we cannot surrender to this work of the Holy Spirit required for us to walk in victory purchased with the blood of Jesus.  The children of Israel had faith to follow Moses out of Egypt, to pass through the Red Sea on dry ground, but their lack of faith in God was exposed when they refused to enter the land of Canaan because of the reports of giants.  Compared to the giants 10 spies viewed themselves as grasshoppers, but the two men who kept their eyes on God and His promises saw them as bread.  Are you hungry to enter into the plans God has for you, to trust Him at any cost?  May the LORD cause us to follow the examples of these men and our Saviour Jesus Christ who were strengthened to obey.