Today’s Devotion: Numbers 32

“Why do we need to go there when it’s just fine right here?” Is essentially what the Ruebenites and the Gadites were asking Moses in verse 5, “If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “Let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.”

Crossing over into the unknown when our current surroundings seem to be “just fine” is one of the things that I believe prevents Christians from truly experiencing the goodness and abundance that God has for us. People stay in abusive relationships, tolerate mean bosses, put up with dead-end jobs or settle for “this is good enough.”

Lies, lies, lies!

Just like the elderly tribe members, they were very sincere in asking Moses if they could build their lives on this side of the Jordan. After all, it was adequate. But that’s not what God wanted for them. He had them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and just short of the goal they figured the had come far enough. Sure it may have been nice, but what was holding them back?

Was it complacency? Why go on, they’re just fine right there? (Amos 6:1 Woe to you who are complacent!)

Were they lazy? It’s too much work to cross the Jordan, it’s easier just to stay put? (Hebrews 6:12 We don’t want you to become lazy.)

We’re they selfish? Did they think there wouldn’t be enough for them so they should just take what they can get while the gettin’s good? (James 3:16 Where you have envy and selfish ambition you will find disorder and every evil practice.)

Were they greedy? They wanted first pick because they wanted to be guaranteed to get their fair share? (Proverbs 28:25 The greedy stir up conflict).

Were they scared? What if they let go of this land to find the land on the other side wasn’t as good and now they left this beautiful livestock worthy place? (1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love).

So let’s turn this application to you and me? Are we complacent, lazy, selfish, greedy, scared? What is holding us back from having what God has planned for us. Are we so caught up in our circumstances that we can’t see the possibilities for our lives and how to get there.

Wherever you are at and whatever you are doing, it takes faith to get beyond where you are. Let’s not be like the Ruebenities and Gadites and bargain with God that where we are is sufficient. He has a bigger and better plan, but we need to follow His Will and be obedient to His calling so He can take us where He wants us and has plans for us to go.