Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. Numbers 14:1
Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2.For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3. For we who have believed enter that rest….
We’ve all had days of hearing evil reports, those words that strike heart and soul tempting us to be discouraged, overwhelmed, fearful and unbelieving. We know it is in those times we are most vulnerable and how important it is to meet them with solid faith in the Scriptures.
“Whose report will we believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord!” A phrase from a song written by Ron Kenoly from the 90’s, reminds me in that moment of decision, we have a place to stand and choices to be made. It’s not the circumstance that destroys us, it is the processing of our thoughts, either succumbing to fear and dis-believing God’s word or to a place of trust and rest that sets our future.
If you read Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 in context, it teaches us that unbelief leads to disobedience and that disobedience holds no rest but this evil heart of unbelief leads us astray from God. Conversely faith in what we hear (or read) (or see) from God leads us to obey. Obedience takes us to this place of rest knowing we are in the will of God. With everything working together for good to those who love Him and called according to His purposes, Romans 8:28 is the ultimate “no worries” verse.
Most of the time we are looking for circumstances to make us happy, but success isbeing joyful in the midst of unhappy stances. We have all learned we aren’t able to control many of life’s happenings, but we are always able to control us. Our thoughts, feelings, emotions and ultimately choices direct us to life and that more abundantly or they find us yielding to the temptation and trying to be our own salvation.
Numbers 13 shows us it’s not just what you hear it’s what you choose to believe. We have to remember the issue here is that there were two reports; one affirming natural circumstances and one affirming the promise and power of God. The response in Numbers 14 verse 1 tells us what the people chose to believe.
The book of Hebrews assures us ~ we who have believed (God and His promise) enter that rest….