7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.
The Israelites were destined to reach the Promised Land. It would have taken them only 2 years to do that but it took them 40 years because they did not obey nor please God.
Ephesians 5:5-10 (Today's New International Version)
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
When you love somebody, you want to please whom you love. Let us now find out what pleases the Lord whom we should love with all our heart, mind, soul and strength:
1. FAITH
Hebrews 11:6 (Today's New International Version)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Believe that God will answer your prayer when you diligently seek Him. When you asked and you did not receive, then ask again. Don't stop asking. Never quit.
Hebrews 3:19 (Today's New International Version)
19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Do not forfeit God's promise in your life because of unbelief.
2. OBEDIENCE
1 Samuel 15:22-23 (Today's New International Version)
22 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
Hebrews 3:18 (Today's New International Version)
18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?
Faith and obedience are always together. You cannot have faith if you are disobeying God. They are like the two sides of a coin; they always go together.
3. REVERENCE
Psalm 34:9 (Today's New International Version)
9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
If you sow honor, you will reap honor. Those who honor God will have all they need.
Numbers 14:22-23 (Today's New International Version)
22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.
4. HOLINESS
Romans 12:1 (Today's New International Version)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship.
Hebrews 3:16-17 (Today's New International Version)
16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness?
God wants to bless His people but if your life is like a cluttered garbage due to sins, this will hinder you from receiving His blessings.
5. THANKSGIVING
Psalm 69:30-31 (Today's New International Version)
30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
If you arrived safely at your destination, wherever it is, thank God; for there are so many accidents happening around the world and you should be thankful that God has protected you and has kept you safe all throughout the journey.
Do not be like the Israelites who complained and grumbled against the Lord and wished that they died in Egypt or in the wilderness, and wanted to go back to Egypt. What they professed with their mouth came true. They all have died and never reached the Promised Land. Only their children were able to step on the land flowing with milk and honey.
Numbers 14:8 (Today's New International Version)
8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
Psalm 19:14 (Today's New International Version)
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Prayer: Father God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be always pleasing to you, not only for my sake but for those who will reap the consequences of my actions and my decisions. Amen.
