Success is Obedience

In Numbers, the people are grumbling and complaining while in the wilderness. They were not putting their trust in God, even after He had led them out of Egypt and across the divided Red Sea. Moses and a whole generation of Israelites would not see the Promised Land. The ones going were like Joshua and Caleb, who trusted in God, His promises, and His provision. God blessed Joshua and Caleb for standing up for God and for trusting HIM.

How does this play out today? Do we grumble and complain? Do we trust God? Do we stand up for God? God is always with us, even when we are in a wilderness or experiencing trouble. Faith is believing without seeing, but doubt can cause us to feel separated.

K-Love and a friend shared two insights today, relative to walking with God.

1. On K-Love, a 2nd grader named Giovanni wrote of his experiences being separated from friends and loved ones during COVID. When asked what he wanted others to know from his book named The COVID Bubble, the young boy stated that he wanted others to know one message: “You are not alone.”

2. My friend had recently heard of a mother defining success for her family, and shared the definition with me. The mother said “success is obedience.” In a culture where people tend to define success in terms of materialism such as money, possessions, grades, clothes, Instagram likes, etc., obedience seemed to be a definition with the ring of truth. Continuing in Numbers, God instructed the Israelites going into the Promised Land of staying away from certain portions of land as they belonged to the Amorites, among other “ites” who worshipped false idols. He, also, reminded them about His commandments. God was giving the people boundaries:

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Today, and in recognition of being on “this side of the cross,” sharing words of truth from the New Testament for you: 1Thessalonians 5:16-18: Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.