“Therefore He said He would destroy them— had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in His promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD. Therefore He raised His hand and swore to them that He would make them fall in the wilderness, and would make their offspring fall among the nations, scattering them among the lands.” Psalm 106:23-24
Devotional Thought For The Day
The account of the exodus wanderings of the children of Israel contain a pattern that is repeated throughout the historical books of the Old Testament, and the writings of the prophets. It begins with God’s people being in trouble and dire circumstances and God stepping in to save and deliver them. There is some appreciation and rejoicing, but this quickly degenerates into doubt, fear, complaining, and rebellion against God. Next comes God’s discipline, more difficulty and troubles. God’s response to the cries for mercy is to once again provide deliverance and blessing. This however is quickly met with more rejection of God’s will and His ways, which He communicates to His people through His Word. This pattern repeats itself over and over again – and the vast majority of the text of Scripture details the wretchedness of human sin, impenitence, and unbelief. This is a description not of the unbelieving world in general, but rather of the church, the ancient people of God, the only community within which pious believers existed, but which was for the most part dominated by unbelieving and perverse people.
Fast forward through the history of the church to today. When has the pattern ever been different? Looking at the church today – and our own personal lives of faith – we see the same pattern within that community which centers in the greatest deliverance of all, that which God has provided for us in Christ Jesus, His only-begotten Son, Whom He sent in love as the Lamb of God to take away the sin and guilt of the world. We are graciously invited into this blessed fellowship of peace with God, eternal life and salvation, and renewed spiritual life and decency and are most richly blessed. But then we do not like certain aspects of the instruction of His Word, and we “despise” the way in which God arranges the circumstances and affairs of our lives – that we have to learn, that we have to work, that we start out with nothing and struggle to gain ground financially, that we don’t make and have as much as others, that we are not privileged and entitled, that we have injuries, illnesses, setbacks, and limitations. And we don’t always like the people around us, our fellow children of God. We don’t want to do things His way, in accord with His written Word, and we struggle to trust His promises, often choosing to take matters into our own hands. Hopefully, unlike the children of Israel, we live in constant repentance and humble gratitude for God’s forgiveness, clemency, and patience with us – but as was the case with Israel, many within the church persist in impenitence, unbelief, and commitment to their own perverse behaviors.
It is interesting that Moses [who was also filled with sin, weakness of faith, anger, frustration, and limitations – read the record that he wrote concerning himself] was called upon to “mediate” between God and the children of Israel. He “stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” The rebellion against God within the church is usually focused on those whom He places in positions of leadership, those called to minister His Word to His people, to instruct them and guide them [unless the “leaders” capitulate and forfeit their God-given duties and office]. It is extremely difficult not to take this personally and to feel that God should stand up for His servants and wipe out the opposition. Many pastors come to feel this way and struggle to continue on in ministry – and virtually all servants of God’s Word understand these feelings and empathize with them. But servants of God are not called upon to seek God’s wrath on others, but rather to pray God’s mercy toward others, and to continue calling all to repentance and knowledge of the truth. In fact, all genuine Christians are called to do the same, recognizing that we live only by virtue of the same mercy, forgiveness, and kindness of God. The psalmist recalls this noble and loving act of Moses; we should stop to consider how much mercy we have received because our pastors have “stood in the breach” praying for mercy for their antagonists and persecutors, and how many people have been spared because men of God have turned away God’s wrath from them. And we must continue to consider seriously this privilege and responsibility that God has entrusted to us.
Alas, Moses’ intervention and God’s patience did not change the hearts and minds of the majority of the people – “they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in His promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD.” This is shocking, and it is still shocking when we observe the same today even within the church. When the children of Israel persisted in impenitence, unbelief, and rebellion against God’s Word even the mediation of His servants could not save them. It is no different today. Though we pray His mercy for all who reject His Word and behave in a manner that is destructive of their own faith and spiritual life, and also that of others, there comes a time when God will act and lock them out of His promised land. Ultimately God judges the unbelieving and destroys them in hell – at their own insistence, on the Last Day [Matt. 25:41]. These Words of God, and this reality, should end all rebellion within us and drive us to deep and daily repentance, that we might humbly find joy, comfort, and strength in His forgiveness and love. These Words of God and this reality are also part of the ministry of God’s Word to the rebellious – though this counsel only causes greater antagonism and persecution from them. Still, we persist in praying God’s mercy on them for this is godly and loving, and we lament and mourn [as David did for Absalom] when God’s judgment falls upon them. Remember, this is a description of life within the visible church – let there be no arrogance or presumption among us.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, like Moses we are thoroughly human and filled with all manner of sin, weakness, fear, anger, lack of faith, and vengeance toward those who are malicious against us. Forgive us for all our sins and humble us to love as You have loved us. We pray mercy for our antagonists, even for those who rebel against Your Word and seek to destroy Your church and Your servants. Protect and preserve us from all temptations that would destroy our faith and keep us from reaching Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.