Daily Devotional for Sunday, May 18

Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out,” Numbers 32:23.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years for their unbelief at Kadesh-barnea. Finally, the nation was ready to take possession of the land God had promised Abraham. Well, not quite everyone.

            The descendants of Reuben and Gad saw the lush, green pastureland on the east side of Jordan, and decided that land was better for their livestock. Instead of fulfilling God’s will for the entire nation, they petitioned Moses to allow them to take the east side as their inheritance. Moses knew this was not God’s plan, but he consented to a compromise. The Reubenites and the Gadites promised to ensure their families and animals had safe places to live and then lead the charge into battle with their Israelite brothers until every tribe had inherited its share of the Promised Land. It sounded like the perfect solution, but their decision brought terrible consequences.

            How often do we choose what appeals to our eyes, and settle for less than God’s best? When we choose the lust of the flesh and reject God’s will, others are influenced to sin. At some point, half of the tribe of Manasseh also chose to settle on the east side of the Jordan River. When we choose what appeals to our flesh, our families are weakened spiritually. These tribes were not part of the national worship and drifted further and further from Jehovah. When we choose to settle for less than God’s best, we expose ourselves to enemy attacks. The descendants of these tribes were carried into captivity by the Assyrians in 735 BC. The land they thought was best now belongs to Jordan and Syria. 

God has given each of us the ability to choose to sin or obey Him. He will never force us to live in His will. But, be assured every choice has consequences.

THOUGHT

The center of God’s will is the best place to live!

Karen Meigs