February 24 - Too Little Too Late

 Read today’s texts first: Numbers 14-15; Mark 3

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Sometimes there’s no way to redeem lost opportunities.

Sometimes I underestimate the importance of quick obedience.  I know God is merciful and full of grace so I have assumed on occasion that I can disobey initially then change my mind and everything will be okay.  Not so, as I can attest from personal experience and as we can see with the rebellious Israelites in Numbers 14.

Ten of the spies return with a faithless, fear-filled report and the people buy in big-time.  They doubt God’s ability to help them overcome the enemies occupying their promised land.  They say their fear is for their children: our little ones will become plunder (14:3).  Interestingly enough, it was their children who would defeat these same nations 40 years later:  God noticed the irony and was happy to point it out:: “your children, however, whom you said would become a prey – I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected.  But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness” (31-32).

Naturally when Israel hears that they say, and I paraphrase, “well when You put it that way, we’re sorry!  Why wait to die – we’ll go now!”  Too little too late.  God warned them that they had missed their chance and anything they do after the fact they do on their own.  Well they did just that, heading into battle “heedlessly” without Moses and the ark (in other words, without God) and they came running home tripping over the tail between their legs.

Sometimes there’s no way to redeem lost opportunities.  “Lord, may I hear You the first time and do what You ask when You ask.  My reading in Mark 3 reminds me that to be a member of Your family I must be quick to do Your will (35)!”