Monday: Because of Unbelief
Read Hebrews 3:12-19. Why was Israel unable to enter into the promised rest?
The sad story is that those who were delivered from Egypt were unable to enter into the rest that God had promised them. When Israel arrived at Kadesh Barnea, at the border of the Promised Land, they lacked the faith that they needed. Numbers 13 and 14 explain that the Israelite spies “brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land” (Numbers 13:32, ESV). They affirmed that the land was good, but they warned that the inhabitants were strong and that the cities fortified, and that they would not be able to conquer it.
Image © Jeff Preston at Goodsalt.com
Joshua and Caleb agreed that the land was good and did not dispute the fact that people there were strong and the cities fortified. But they said that God was with them and that He would bring them into the land (Numbers 14:7-9). Yet, the people who saw God destroy Egypt through plagues (Exodus 7-12), annihilate Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14), provide bread from heaven (Exodus 16) and water from the rock (Exodus 17), as well as manifest His continuing presence and guidance through the cloud (Exodus 40:36-38) — they failed to trust in Him now. It is a tragic irony that the generation who saw such mighty displays of God’s power became a symbol of faithlessness (Nehemiah 9:15-17, Psalm 106:24-26, 1 Corinthians 10:5-10).
God promises His children gifts that are beyond human reach. That is why they are based on grace and are accessible only through faith. Hebrews 4:2 explains that the promise Israel received “was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed” (Hebrews 4:2, NIV).
Israel traveled to the borders of the Promised Land as a people. When the people were faced with contradictory reports, they identified with those who lacked faith. Faith, or lack of it, is contagious. That is why Hebrews admonishes its readers to “exhort one another” (Hebrews 3:13), “to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24, ESV), and to “[s]ee to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15, ESV).
| In what ways can you help build the faith of fellow believers? How can you make sure that you never say or do anything that could weaken another’s faith? |
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In this forum most of us are "believers" so this lesson doesn't apply to us! Right?
Perhaps, the lesson we need to learn today is that belief/unbelief is more than just cerebral assent. It is about the sort of belief that is converted into action. The Israelites lack of faith on the borders of the promised land resulted in action, or perhaps I should say, inaction. The promised land was a good idea and no doubt they believed in it but they were unwilling to go and take possession of it. There was a dislocation between the theory and the practice.
How many Seventh-day Adventists believe the 28/29(? I've lost count) fundamentals and believe that they are set up to enter the promised land when Jesus comes. But maybe Jesus has a more pragmatic view in mind. The Kindom of Heaven is in the present and our faith should be the springboard for action for entering that Kingdom now. The question we need to ask ourselves is; "What is dislocating our theoretical faith and belief from our practical actions now?"
Welcome back Pilgrim!
Thank you Ronald. It is great to be back again among friends.
Maurice – glad you made it home safely! 😊
I agree: “The promised land was a good idea and no doubt they believed in it but they were unwilling to go and take possession of it. There was a dislocation between the theory and the practice.”
I think this ‘dislocation’ (separation) is where the 'rubber meets the road' and wholeheartedly agree that: 'our faith should be (provide/is) the springboard for actions for entering that Kingdom now.'
For the Israelites, like all of us who lack faith, it is essential to use that springboard called Faith which catapultes us into the ‘waters-of-the-unknown’ – learning to swim by faith. It is not enough to just stand on this spirngboard of Faith, we have to jump! James 1:5NKJV.
Hebrews 3:12 refers to an evil heart of unbelief. This is a deeper issue than the unbelief that can arise from time to time amid discouragement and fatigue. An evil (also known as "hardened" in self-seeking) heart doesn't accidentally happen - it is cultivated over time via intentional and persistent resisting against the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
The disciples too experienced moments of doubt - and they were directly in Jesus presence! Although Jesus is recorded as saying "oh you of little faith", I don't believe this was said as a 'put-down'. Rather, I believe Jesus said it with compassion to help people know what the root issue and, therefore, core need was in the situation when they were discouraged.
When your faith is strained, don't be afraid to tell God what is going on and how you are feeling. And then like the father in Mark 9:24, ask God to help you with your unbelief. This is what it means to come boldly before the throne of grace that you might find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). God's promise in Proverbs 3:5-6 will be fulfilled if you surrender yourself and each and every situation to Him, no matter how hopeless it looks.
If you are struggling at present, though I don't know you personally or the details of your situation, you are being upheld before God as if you were me and the same things that I ask of God for today for myself, I also ask for you. God bless you wherever you are.
Thank you for the reminder, Phil, that God is a God of compassion and He is our strength- even to deal with our unbelief.
Also, I'm being reminded more and more that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So, as we come boldly to his throne to find help in our times of need, we will also be encouraged and strengthened when we immerse ourselves in His Word. His Word is just telling us who He is. His Word goes forth through generations because He knew we would need to know who He is. The more we know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we rest in Him, despite challenges of this life.
And thank you, Phil, for your prayer/blessing on us all.
GM Phyl,
Thanks for your post. You hit the nail right on.
,"An evil (also known as "hardened" in self-seeking) heart doesn't accidentally happen - it is cultivated over time via intentional and persistent resisting against the drawing of the Holy Spirit."
Lord of mercy.
My faith is strained! Pray for me brethren 🙏
Theoretical beliefs are important, but we normally act from the heart!
How am I acting towards my 7th Day Adventist beliefs? Which actually are just christian beliefs! Or, how practical are those beliefs in my life? Am I still worried about being in such a connection with Christ as to be a blessing for others, or am I just worried about myself? I am responsible for my own choices, and will respond alone to the King when He comes back! The time is near, what other miracle should I see to truly convert myself to Jesus?
So, what do Christians who aren't perfect do? I mean, simply deciding not to make mistakes will never prevent you from doing so. I believe the answer is straightforward: be careful what you say. You build a connection between yourself and others when you admit your flaws. Confession is never a justification for complacency; owning your sin is not the same as living in it. Walk the walk not just talk the talk.
Nothing bridges the gap between words and deeds more quickly than that.
You can share testimonies of how God has performed miracles in your life and in theirs. You can show them that you believe in HIS power as well.
“Faith is the substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen”. Everyone have experience doubt in their life, however, is doubt the same as unbelief? Please explain! The reason why unbelief is dangerous is that it can lead to departing from the love of God. From the 12 spies only 2 had hope for a better life for the nation even though Israel was not a nation and was not at the time a discipline army the 10 spies couldn’t see pass their fear and weakness and because humans always like to cling to the things that seems most popular or easy to do they cause others to err. God cannot implement his plan in their lives and ours if we let fear over power us. We must everyday battle fear with faith. As I read this I can see the spiritual symbolism that how one angel in heaven cause a revolt and cause angels to err, and this was the same thing that was happening here.