Take God Seriously

"These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, 'They shall surely die in the wilderness.' And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun." -Numbers 26.63-65

God commands the people to be counted again, this is the generation that is going to enter the Promised Land. Among those counted are none who were numbered during the first census except for Joshua and Caleb. Everyone else who had doubted God's promise had died in the wilderness, just as God had said they would. God's judgments are final and absolute. Those who refused to trust Him and follow Him were never allowed to enter the land and receive the blessings He had promised.

Men, let us take God seriously. When God says something will happen it will. When He says that all who come to new life in His Son Jesus will find eternal life, let us believe Him and receive it. The opposite is also true, that all who reject Jesus will be cast out from His presence into eternal death. When God pronounces a blessing let us receive it with full faith and confidence that it will be given, and let us live to seize it. When He pronounces judgment let us live with the same assurance that it will happen exactly as He said.

God is very serious in what He says. Nothing is said casually or haphazardly, so let us believe all that He says and take Him seriously. He told Israel that no one who left Egypt would enter the land except for Joshua and Caleb, and it was so. Just as God was serious then, He is serious now, and only those who come to new life in His Son will enter the Promised Land of Heaven.

May we always take God seriously.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor