Scripture: Numbers 14:1-4 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Devotion: We have officially reached February, which means it is time to check in on those New Year’s resolutions. Did you know that it is estimated that 80% of resolutions fail by February? If you have ever set resolutions, it is likely that at some point you have fallen into the category of failed resolutions. People lose motivation, it gets tough after the initial excitement, and the glimmer of it all wears off.
When this happens, it is easy to turn back. To settle into our old ways. Whether your resolution was around working out, a healthier diet, or maybe around the idea of a daily quiet time, it can be easy to give up when the busyness of life gets in the way. And this same idea extends beyond just goals and resolutions. There might be a habit, hang-up, or addiction that you struggle with. When life gets tough, it may seem appealing and easier to go back to it.
The Israelites struggled with this same thing. After years of slavery and oppression in Egypt, the Lord worked miracles and delivered them. They had freedom. But after wandering in the wilderness and not yet reaching the Promised Land, they became frustrated. Time after time, the Lord had provided manna, quail, and water. He had protected them from their enemies. And yet, as they approach the Promised Land, some of the men who had surveyed it stated that there were Nephilim there. These Nephilim are thought to have been very large, violent people. Because of this, the Israelites started to worry that they were all going to be killed.
When we look over their story, it is easy for us to see how the Lord has provided and made a way for them time and time again. Why would this time be any different? But the Israelites have a bit of revisionist history and decide that it would be better if they just elected a new ruler and went back to their life in Egypt.
How often is that true of us? When things don’t go our way, life becomes difficult, or when we are up against something that we think we will never win, we turn back to our old ways. Life is busy running from one place to another, so we push aside our exercise routine and healthy eating. We aren’t getting a lot of sleep, so rather than get up to spend some quiet time with the Lord in the stillness of the morning, we push snooze and run out of time in our day. Tragedy strikes and the grief is a difficult emotion, so we turn back to the addiction that briefly takes the pain away.
But, much like the Israelites, we can look at the entirety of our lives, the lives of those around us and all of human history, to see that God is faithful to carry us through. Living the way that He has called us to live is not always easy. In fact, choosing to do so each day can be extremely difficult. When we strive to pursue a life of Christlikeness, with Jesus at the center of it all, He will sustain us through even the toughest of times.
Reflect:
- Have you ever gone back to an old habit, sin, addiction, etc.?
- If you are still in the midst of it, what is one practical step that you can take towards the life that God is calling you to?