“And they journeyed from mount Hor by way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Numbers 21:4-9 KJV
To drift off in the faith is not fatal as perpetually falling away. Good morning beloved of God, there are times in our walk of faith we may have backslidden but destruction only comes upon those who are unable to arise again. Today the Lord has a word for you, though you may have fallen, remember where you fell and rise again. Let’s dive into the Word…
So long we dwell in this body of sin, there will be a constant battle over our souls. As believers we are charged with this: put to death the deeds of the flesh( Romans 8:13). However, this does not happen in a day but takes continuous practice, denying the self and taking up your cross is an everyday exercise. Just as the people of Israel in our study scripture, they drifted off due to the afflictions they faced. The issue of afflictions is that many recognize it as evil rather than seeing it as the way to perfection. But you see, the testing of our faith should produce endurance not set us off into condemnation. The trials of the believer are only to equip, fortify, and prune( James 1:2-4).
The reason many are fallen away is that just like the Israelites they became impatient in their journey with God. When God calls us into His manifold wisdom is to first make us, many times because we do not understand or we have been brainwashed with the prosperity gospel, we cannot stand what God wants to make out of us(Romans 12:1-2). By this, we realize the mindset of the Israelites and why their journey was prolonged, they were stubborn people and were not transformed by the renewing of their minds to know the will of God. Another reason why many backslide is they become weary in their walk with God( read more about weariness hereThe mystery of weariness part II-weariness in religiosity – Called and Fearless )
Many also do not understand the way of the Lord. As the Israelites loathed the food given to them for their journey, many have come to the point where their daily practice has become burdensome to them. You may find yourself where you are because God purposed for your development, but they try to escape the very things that will give them substance. Just like the priests of old, God assigned to them specific instructions for their office. When God calls us unto Him, He desires for us to be a people of substance through the way and manner He builds us. He also desires intimacy, to build a relationship with us. God desires to make us sons and friends, these are the ones He commits His eternal purpose into their hands. ( John 15:15, Romans 8:14-19)
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