Day 4: Commit to the Lord
But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed! Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies (Numbers 14:41-42).
Our Father, all wisdom, honor and power are Yours. You are faithful, and those who know You trust Your name trust in You (Psalm 9:10)—and can pray like David, Sovereign Lord, You are God! Your covenant is trustworthy... (2 Samuel 7:28).
Caleb and Joshua knew Your name, knew Your character, knew Your irreproachable nature. They trusted in Your faithfulness and followed the Lord wholeheartedly’ (Numbers 32:12). On the strength of Your word and Your promise, they encouraged the people, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30).
And as the people seemed bent on their own counsel, Caleb entreated, Only do not rebel against the Lord...” (Numbers 14:9). But they treated You with contempt (Numbers 14:11) and despised the pleasant land; they did not believe Your promise (Psalm 106:24). They created their own plan and in their presumption they went up (Numbers 14:44) without Your guidance, without Your covering.
O Lord, help us to learn from their story, so we do not repeat their disobedience, their disrespect, their presumption, their folly, and the consequences. May we never be like those of whom the prophet said, “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin… (Isaiah 30:1 - NKJV).
Teach us, our Father, not only to seek Your counsel, but to also obey Your instruction. Why would we not desire our decisions to be informed by You, when You have promised us clarity, order, and fulfillment: Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established (Proverbs 16:3 -NKJV)?
Teach us to fix our eyes on You—not on the giants or the rattling sabers that distract us from Your plans and Your purpose. Only as we follow Your directions can we accomplish all You have willed, all You have promised: Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord (Proverbs 16:20).
