Costly Consequences

Verse of the day: Numbers 20:12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

When we read God’s Word, we will encounter many instances in which God allows different levels of consequences for a person’s action or choices. In this instance, Moses suffered a costly consequence for his lack of faith. One of the greatest sins we can commit is that of unbelief. Sadly, far too many of us do not see unbelief as a sin that is as bad as murder, stealing, lying or committing adultery. Yet, like some of our more overlooked sins (such as gossip and pride), God sees them as sins that bear severe consequences if not repented of and confessed. Gossip and pride bring about division, which God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). Unbelief, in many instances, has yielded very costly consequences for many; consequences that still affect all of us today. In the Garden, the consequences of sin and death entered into the world, not just because of disobedience. Unbelief also played a part in man’s fall. Genesis 3:1 tells us, Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:4-5 also tells us, Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Satan created doubt and unbelief in Eve’s mind. What were the consequences for this unbelief? Well, we are living them today. Sarah encouraged Abraham to have a child with Hagar (Gen 16). Their actions got ahead of God’s plan because of unbelief, which we see existed from the encounter in Genesis 18:12-15. These verses tell us, Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!” Today, we still feel the consequences of Sarah’s unbelief as the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac are still fighting over the land promised to Israel. In this case, unbelief cost Moses and Aaron the privilege of entering the Promise Land as God promised. So why was this case of unbelief rewarded with such a high priced consequence? In Exodus 17:5-6, God instructed Moses to strike the rock and He would bring water from it. In doing so, God was picturing Jesus’ suffering and how He was going to provide for us Living Water. The second time that God is providing water for Israel from the rock, the instructions were to speak to the rock, by faith, and receive the water. This is a picture of how we would receive life eternal, by calling upon Christ, by faith, and receiving eternal life, and Living Water, the Holy Spirit who indwells us and seals us. When Moses failed to believe God, and chose his own way of bringing forth water from the rock, he pictured the unbeliever who rejects God’s plan of receiving Living Water, choosing instead to “work and earn” their salvation; thereby, forfeiting eternal life, as God has prescribed only ONE WAY of salvation (John 14:6). Hebrew 6:4-8 describe the same thing, as one who does not believe (makes a superficial profession of faith) crucifies Christ again by their unbelief (in their mind and heart), doing those things which put the Name of Jesus to shame, and cause others to blaspheme it. Sadly, there are many today who profess to know Jesus, but are still trying to earn salvation by performing religious rituals and keep religious traditions created by men. Just like Moses was not allowed to enter the Promise Land, but see it from afar, the cost for unbelief in what Jesus did will be far more costly for those who fail to put their trust in God’s plan for salvation, Christ alone. As born again believers, we have eternal life, but our lives can be one of suffering caused by our own lack of wisdom and restraint, if we do not stop and consider the actions that stem from a moment of unbelief. Isaiah spoke it best when he said this to Israel in Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” Our salvation may have been sealed and secured by the Holy Spirit, in Christ, but our sins, especially that of unbelief, can cause us to put a wedge in our relationship with the Lord, and hinder our prayers (Hebrews 11:6).

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).