Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Numbers 16:30, ” But if the Lord does something entirely new and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and all their belongings, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have shown contempt for the Lord. ” 

Background

Do you remember the dance scene in It’s A Wonderful Life ? George Bailey has gone to the graduation dance at his old high school and is dancing with the younger sister of one of his friends. The boy that feels snubbed by the younger sister, Mary, is persuaded by his buddy to get even with George. He just happens to have access to open the gymnasium floor that they are dancing on, which will reveal the swimming pool underneath. And since George and Mary happen to be dancing right where the floor divides, the chances for them to end up all wet are pretty high. And in fact, a few moments after the floor opens, George and Mary tumble into the pool. They are unfazed, however, and keep dancing in the water, even as many of the students, faculty, and even the naughty conspirators, jump in and join them. 

Application

I’m afraid the scene with Moses and the Israelites doesn’t have quite the same storybook ending. Dathan and some of the Levites have spoken up and challenged Moses, inciting God’s wrath on the whole congregation. But Moses pleads for them, and God spares them, instead focusing on those responsible for the rebellion. Moses announces that if Dathan and the others were right and Moses was wrong, then they will live and die a natural death. But if God opens up the earth and swallows them and their families, then they will know that they had rejected the Lord. Well, no sooner than Moses had finished talking, God opened the ground and consumed them. His point was made, His verdict carried out. Now, I don’t want us walking around afraid that the earth is going to open up as we take our next step. But we’ve got to agree that we have rebellion in our hearts, and our next step deserves to be our last. We’ve got to beg God to forgive us and turn our hearts to Him, so that we can love that lost person enough to reach out to them, in spite of feeling scared or timid. He wants us to live and die naturally, and to spend our time on His mission. So stand on His solid ground, and trust Him enough to speak up. It’s worth living for. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, I confess that there are those around me that I have not loved enough to introduce to Jesus. Let’s ask God for hearts that desire obedience and His glory more than comfort. 

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words