Numbers 14:17-20 - And now, therefore, let
the power of the Lord be great in the way that you promised when you spoke,
saying, "The Lord is slow to anger, and abounding
in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means
clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to
the third and the fourth generation.” Forgive the iniquity of this people according
to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have pardoned this people,
from Egypt even until now. Then the Lord said, "I do forgive, just as you
have asked…
Moses…what an amazing man…to pray in the
face of such rebellion and hatred….to call for the protection and forgiveness
of the very people who wanted to stone him. It is no wonder God chose him for a
leader. God had just offered to let him off the hook…kill the whole nation that
had failed to see God’s great plan for their lives…and start over with him. But
Moses’ heart…full of love and compassion for his people…plead for their lives
instead….and reminded God of his promise to forgive.
God did forgive…and spared their lives…for
a season…but the lesson he taught them because of their rebellion would last
another 40 years….and bring into being a whole new generation of Israelites…only
Caleb and Joshua would live through the 40 year trek through the
wilderness. They would somehow be
blessed through the next 40 years…while the people who complained would all die
of old age in the harsh conditions of the wilderness.
God’s forgiveness does not erase our
past. It cleanses us from guilt…but we
sometime deal with the consequences of what we did long after we accept God’s
love and change our hearts. It is how we deal with those consequences that prove
to God that we truly love him more than ourselves. It is how we gracefully
accept the consequences of our sins…that prove to God we really have changed
our hearts.
Like Caleb and Joshua…we become brave and
courageous in the face of obstacles.
Like Moses…we become even more humble…and pray for everyone…despite the
way we are treated by them. Like Caleb and Joshua…we accept the next 40 years
of wandering…and anticipate the promised land instead of grumbling that we did
not deserve the same punishment as the rest. Like Moses…we continue in the task
God gave us to do…and continue to pray for guidance and wisdom to lead the
people with God’s presence right by his side.
Father… I am amazed by the love and
forgiveness you show to me. Help me to
accept the consequences of my sins…as lessons in how to love you through all
that happens in my life. Help me to be
strong and courageous like Caleb and Joshua….and face every hardship that comes
my way with your strength…and your courage.
Help me to really understand how to talk to you like Moses…and intercede
for others…and love them despite what they might have done to me or others. Help
me see the possibilities of love…instead of the consequences of my past…so you
can use me to complete the job you have given me to do. Amen.
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