Wholly Following

My apologies for jumping around a bit, but I want to take a deeper look at what happened when the Israelites first came to the banks of the Jordan and refused to enter the Promised Land. The Lord had instructed Moses to send spies into Canaan and report back to the people. Among the spies were Joshua, Caleb and a leader from each of the other tribes. Upon returning, they described it as a land that "truly flows with milk and honey" and displayed samples of the giant fruit. But they also reported that the people who dwelt in the land were strong and had large, fortified cities. It was the land of the "ites" (Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Canaanites) as well as the descendants of Anak, otherwise known as the "the giants".

These were the facts of the situation. Caleb and Joshua had faith that the Lord would bring them into the land and conquer their enemies. But the rest of the spies gave a bad report and their fear was contagious. They said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we" (Numbers 13:31). "The congregation wept and complained against Moses saying things like "Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt"? (Numbers 14:3). Then they actually started making plans to return to Egypt! Wow- talk about a skewed perspective! What's going on here?

Why was it so difficult for them to enter the land of promise? Perhaps after 400 years of slavery it was hard for them to operate differently. They were used to being to being controlled by others. Even though it was miserable, perhaps that was easier than following the Lord into unchartered territory. Wandering in the wilderness also seemed safer and easier than going into battle, even if there was huge fruit at stake. We can shake our heads at their mistakes, but don't we often do the same things? Let's be honest..."wandering" is easier than "taking ground".

• It's easier to "walk according to the flesh" (letting those desires control us) than to "walk according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).
• It's easier to let our thoughts wander than to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5b).
• It's easier to do whatever feels good than seek God for His purposes and allow Him to order our days.
• It's easier to turn to food, entertainment or people to satisfy our needs rather than to the true Source.
• It's easier to sleep than to spend time with the Lord
• You get the point

But oh....what we miss by opting for what's easiest or most comfortable. Joshua and Caleb had their eyes on the fruit of the promised land, and more importantly, the Lord of the Land.

"But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them." (Numbers 14:6-9).

Joshua and Caleb knew that it was not about their strength, but God's. It was not about what they would give up, but what they would gain. They had faith to "wholly follow the Lord". That phrase has been echoing in my head all week. What does it mean? A couple ideas:

1. They followed Him with whole hearts - their hearts were totally His. They were completely surrendered to His desires and purposes.
2. They obeyed completely - no changing their minds at the banks of the Jordan when things looked difficult. They said "Bring it on! If God is on our side, we will be victorious!"

Thought Question: Are there areas of your life where you are "wandering" or even trying to "go back to Egypt" (the ways of the world)? What are you afraid of? Begin to ask the Lord what the promised land looks like in your life. Let Him speak to you about the amazing victories and fruit He has in store for you and your family, if you will wholly follow Him.

Wilderness Wanderings - II

We're examining sins that the people of Israel committed while wandering in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:6 warns that "these things became our examples", and they will keep us from entering into the abundant life that God has for us.

2. Idolatry - "And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play". 1 Corinthians 10:7
The reference is to Exodus 32:1-8 when the Israelites crafted a golden calf to worship in place of the living God. Idolatry is defined as "the worship of images as divine or sacred", or "paying divine honors to any item of human fabrication" (Wycliffe Bible Dictionary). The Israelites were impatient because Moses had not returned from his mountaintop meeting with God, so they asked Aaron to made them "gods that shall go before us". God wasn't showing Himself to them in the way or timing they desired, so they created their own god that was more tangible. Any time we exalt something or someone above God in our hearts, it becomes an idol.

Thought Question: What has priority in your thought-life and schedule? Is God on the throne of your heart or are you consumed with lesser things?

3. Immorality - "Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell" 1 Corinthians 10:8
Numbers 25 begins, "Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifice of their gods and the people bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel". It's interesting that the Israelites' sexual immorality with people of the "world" also joined them to their false gods. Suffice it to say that immorality on any level is very dangerous and will lead us astray from the Lord.

4. Testing God and Complaining - "nor let us tempt Christ...nor complain" 1 Corinthians 9a & 10a
This refers to more situations where the Israelites were dissatisfied with God's provision and complained bitterly against Him.

Rather than dwell on the negative, let's flip these around and see what a heart ready to enter the Promised Land would look like:

1. Content with God's provisions
2. Worshipping God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength
3. Pure in body and mind
4. Trusting God and expressing thankfulness in all circumstances

I'm guessing these were characteristics of Caleb and Joshua, who are described in Numbers 32:12 as the only ones from that generation who "wholly followed the Lord".

Thought Question: What would it look like to "wholly follow the Lord" in your own life"? Do you have any sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven in order to move forward?

Wilderness Wanderings - I

"Moreover, brethren, I (Paul) do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted." 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 (emphasis mine).

In a future post, we will delve into the purpose of journeying through the wilderness for a time. But journeying is very different from wandering. The Israelites allowed fear and unbelief to keep them from entering into everything God had for them. Hebrews 3 uses phrases like "hardened hearts", "testing the Lord", "going astray in their hearts", "not knowing His ways", and concludes with "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief". I've heard it said that "unbelief = missed blessing". Indeed, an entire generation missed out on experiencing the Promised Land. I believe there is a figurative "Promised Land" in each of our lives. It is not a place where things are easy and perfect, but a place where we are living in vibrant faith and communion with the Lord. What keeps us from abiding and advancing in this "land"? Probably the same sins that beset the Israelites. 1 Corinthians 10 goes on to describe these sins.

1. Lust - "...we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted." 1 Cor 10:6b
Numbers 11 describes a time when the Israelites tired of the manna God provided for them daily and lusted after meat instead. Psalm 116:13-15 says "They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." Even though we are saved, lust can be a problem. We are often unsatisfied with what God has given us and constantly wanting something else. Even if God grants our requests, it brings a "leanness to the soul". In this case, the Israelites were complaining that manna (God's provision) wasn't good enough and longing for the food of Egypt (the world). Their lust caused them to lose sight of how bad things had been when they were in bondage. So too, our perspective can become skewed and result in an ungrateful, complaining attitude. This is a definite hindrance in the journey to the Promised Land.

Thought Question: Can you identify ways that lust has crept into your life? If so, confess it to the Lord and ask Him for a thankful heart. Maybe spend some time today thanking Him for specific provisions and blessings in your life.

History Lessons

To set the stage for the Promised Land/Spirit-Filled Life illustration, I think it would be helpful to begin with a brief history of the people of Israel.

In Genesis 12, God called Abram (later renamed Abraham) out of his country and promised to make him into a great nation. He was destined to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. In Genesis 13, God promised to give the land of Canaan to Abram and his descendants forever. In Old Testament times, this referred to all the territory west of the Jordan River (Wycliffe Bible Dictionary). Throughout the generations, God maintained his covanent with Abraham and reiterated it to his grandson Jacob, renamed Israel in Genesis 35:9-15. Jacob had 12 sons and his descendants became known as the children of Israel.

Jacob's son, Joseph, was sold by his jealous brothers to be a slave in Egypt and rose to power to save the nation in a time of great famine. As a result, Jacob and his family settled in a territory of Egypt called Goshen. The children of Israel grew in number and might in the land of Egypt and a new king came to power who enslaved them out of fear. After 400 years had passed, God raised up a deliverer named Moses who led the people out of Egypt and through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea.

Jon Courson highlights the symbolism of these Old Testament events. The Israelites' deliverance from Egypt is a picture of salvation. Passing through the Red Sea symbolizes water baptism. But there is more. The Israelites were supposed to travel from Egypt and enter the Promised Land - an eleven day journey. But when they got to the land, they failed to enter in. In their unbelief and disobedience, they got stuck wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, until that entire generation passed away (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb).

What did the Promised Land represent to the Israelites? It represented fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham - a land of their own where they could rest, thrive, serve God and be an example to the nations around them. And eventually bring forth God's ultimate gift - Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world. Similarly, I believe there is place that we are called to as New Testament Christians where we are living in the power and abundance of the Spirit and fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Yes, we receive the Spirit at salvation, but there is still a journey to maturity in Christ and fullness of His Spirit. What happened to the Israelites? Why didn't they enter into the land when first given the chance? The crux of the journey occurs on the banks of the Jordan river. It's a decision to cross to a land that holds great promise, but unknown challenges, or stay on the safe (if a bit dry) side. We can learn much from their experiences.

Life Abundantly?

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b)

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)

These are amazing promises from our Lord! But how many of us can honestly say we are experiencing this kind of fullness in our Christian lives? I often feel like something is lacking. Instead of "rivers of living water" flowing from my heart, I have a trickle (or on some days a stagnant pond). Instead of having "life abundantly", I'm just trying to survive the day. Many Christians believe in God, go to church, try to have devotions and serve in ministry, but something is missing. There's a lack of purpose, wisdom, joy, boldness and true, agape love in our lives. It becomes all too easy to please people, rather than the Lord (Hebrews 6:10). Instead of burning with passion for God, we burn out. What's wrong with this picture? This cannot be what God intends for His children. Sometimes I think it breaks His heart more than it does ours.

For years, I had a sense that there was more; that God was calling me to a new way of living in Him, but I didn't know how to get there. One day I came across some teaching by Pastor Jon Courson (Applegate Christian Fellowship) through the book of Joshua. The premise is that the Old Testament journey of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt to possession of the Promised Land is a type, or example, of New Testament Christian life. It is an illustration that gives us understanding of how to enter into the Spirit-filled life. Pastor Jon points out that the Promised Land is not a picture of heaven, as many suppose. There are still battles to be fought and wars to be won in the Land. But it holds the promise of abundant life, filled with the giant fruit of the Spirit. That's where I need to go. But first I have to cross the Jordan.

A New Idea

Well, I'm finally getting on the blog bandwagon...in a manner of speaking. My wise husband, Tim, suggested that I start one as a spiritual outlet where I could post devotional thoughts. I'm one of those people who learns best when I'm teaching or writing for others. So even if no one reads it, I think it will be worthwhile for me personally.

I've had a certain topic on my heart for the past two years - abiding in the Spirit-filled life. At one point, I started writing a Bible study on the topic. But it's been a challenging season for our family with the addition of our son Cole (11 months) to join sister Sophie (age 4). During the pregnancy and subsequent sleep-deprived fog, I lost focus and studying fell by the wayside. After Tim's blog suggestion, the two ideas merged in my head. So I'm going to try to post, hopefully weekly, devotionals on this topic. Perhaps it will help me, and others, to discover the amazing abundance of the Spirit-Filled life that is available to every believer.