06/11/2013 - WHEN THE LORD COMMANDS YOU, DO IT

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Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

Deuteronomy 1:21

Moses was recalling the day when the Israelites committed the biggest mistake of their lives. The Lord had brought them out of slavery in Egypt, having made numerous miracles before their eyes. When they reached the mountainous region of the Amorites, the Most High commanded them to enter and take possession of it. However the wise men of each tribe that they had chosen to be heads over them told Moses that they should send spies to check the land.

People do not always accept divine guidance. He who has heard of God what to do should not seek or accept advice from anyone else. Moses hesitated and allowed them to choose the spies. When they returned, they brought the bad news that caused great damage to the people who were not in communion with God. The result was that they wept all night and wished to return to Egypt. That very attitude greatly displeased the Lord.

The land was before them, so they only had to go up and possess it, but instead they decided to accept the advice to proceed with caution. The result was disastrous because when the spies broke the bad news it caused them to turn away from the divine plan. Then they had to walk in the wilderness for forty years. Their entrance into the Promised Land was only allowed when the last man who was over twenty years old died on that day.

How much time has been wasted by people who leave for later the opportunity to take possession of a blessing! In fact, some have already been disqualified and unless they repent and seek divine forgiveness they will not enter the Land of God’s promise. The Lord had said the Israelites were to go up and possess the land. If they had obeyed the Most High He would have gone ahead of them making their way through and weakening the Canaanites.

Those who do not do what the Lord commands are no longer in the group of the obedient people, but rather in the rebels’ and infidels’. As servants we need not fear anything. For you, the mountain of the Amorites may be a commercial enterprise, a missionary trip or the decision to break up with friends who are causing you to stray away from the Lord. Anyway, whatever the Word of God tells you to do, just do it because otherwise you will walk alone.

How much anguish those people went through while walking through the desert for 40 years! How many good things they missed out on because they did not take possession of the land they were given! The same is happening with lots of people today. He who gives up following the Lord and fulfilling His commands remains wandering in the wilderness of life from one side to the other. Therefore, be firm in the faith and never stop doing as you are told. God loves those who love Him (John 14:21).

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares