Numbers 14:34–35 (ESV): 34 According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.’ 35 I, the Lord, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die.”
Our choices can have lifelong consequences. We can be forgiven and pardoned by God and still experience consequences for sin. Think before you act! Seek before you speak! It will save you some heartache and pain.
The unbelief and fear of the children of Israel relating to the enemies living in Canaan were incredibly offensive to God. He spoke to Moses saying, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?” Moses interceded for the nation and God forgave and pardoned them. However, they would still suffer the consequences for their unbelief. For forty years they would wander in the wilderness until everyone twenty and above, except Caleb and Joshua, were dead. For they believed in God for victory.
Are you mindful of your choices? You can be forgiven for your sin eternally but still suffer the consequences in this life. That is why it is so imperative that we walk by faith and obedience. God is trying to save us some heartache and trouble. Believe and trust God. If you are forgiven but are experiencing trouble as a result of past sin, thank God for His forgiveness and trust Him to see you through. He is faithful even when we are not!
Father, forgive us for doubting You. Help us to trust You beyond what we can see. You have done great things, may we reflect and respond with faith towards the future we pray in Jesus' name, amen.
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