Daily Devotions
May 26th, 2011 by Pastor SolleyNum 32:1-7
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; 2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, 3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, 4 Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: 5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. 6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? 7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?
With Memorial Day approaching I am reminded that the Christian life is compared to a war, the Christian going forth to battle. Think of how discouraging it must be to an army when all of the men will not, or do not want to go and join in the fight. Such was the case with the children of Israel at this time. Two of the tribes were satisfied with the land on the other side of the Jordan river, they were satisfied to stay and not enter in. Now they did agree to go and fight but think of what this id to them as well as the other men of war. It did discourage. And it did always keep them looking back as well. What type of Christian warrior are you? Are you one going forth in the fight or one staying behind? Are you one looking to the Lord or looking back to the world? Do you move others to run into the battle or do you discourage them? What will you be remembered for?