A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 13 and 14.
I’m not a golfer, but I got dragged into a scramble fund-raiser for our church about twenty years ago. When I arrived that morning, borrowed clubs in hand, they asked me how many mulligans I wanted to buy. “What’s a mulligan?” “It’s a do-over.” I think I they were selling a dozen for ten bucks. What the heck, it was for a good cause. Golfers will be amused to know I used them up the front nine. Our four person team finished last, not even breaking 100. It was the last time I played. I’m not a golfer.
Who doesn’t like the idea of a mulligan? A bad note, a lousy drawing, over- or under-cooked food, a false start. Whatever. Start over. Try again.
We like to think of God as someone who gives you another chance. That’s true to a certain extent. Grace is powerful. So are consequences. After siding with the unfaithful majority, the nation of Israel doesn’t get another chance.
The vote was ten to two. Ten spies said, “We can’t go up against the people of Caanan. They are too big, too strong for us.” Two, Joshua and Caleb argued, “Let’s go; we can do it!” (Numbers 13:30-31)
God is ready to ditch them all (14:12). But Moses steps in. Moses appeals to God’s abounding love and forgiveness. “Please pardon the iniquity of this people” (14:19).
The Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers” (Numbers 14:20).
They are forgiven, that is, God doesn’t obliterate them with pestilence and disown them. However, they will live with the consequences of their unbelief. They will not enter in to the land. Forty years later, their children will. But they will not.
Wait a minute. Isn’t he a God of mercy? Isn’t he abounding in steadfast love? He sure is. But he’s also your heavenly father. A father who truly loves his children disciplines them (Hebrews 12:6). How else are you going to learn?
A police officer might let you off with a warning. But a speeding ticket might be more effective in getting you to lighten on the gas.
Waite for it... 