Before we move fully into the book of Numbers, I want to go back once more to Mount Sinai. Although I mentioned briefly Moses’s intercessory prayer, I believe we must linger a little longer there to fully grasp our study in the book of Numbers. How can we be certain that we are secure in God’s Grace? Why is that so important to know when we walk through the wilderness of life? We seem to get caught between grace and works, most often in the wilderness. Knowing that my relationship with God should manifest itself in good works; I strive hard to put on my armor every morning. Then, somewhere along the way, “I” get distracted. My eyes get so focused on whatever is my next right step, that I take my eyes off Jesus and look at the storm around me.
Then, just like Peter when he took his eyes off Jesus, I begin to sink in despair. Hopelessness fills my heart and I become restless. There in that wilderness of uncertainty, I cry out to God.
Matthew 14:22-33 (NET)[1]
22 Immediately Jesus[a] made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. 23 And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already far from land,[b] was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. 25 As the night was ending,[c] Jesus came to them walking on the sea.[d] 26 When[e] the disciples saw him walking on the water[f] they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. 27 But immediately Jesus[g] spoke to them:[h] “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 Peter[i] said to him,[j] “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” 29 So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out,[k] “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
So, the question arises. “Was Peter secure and saved because of His faith or because of Grace alone?”
Back to Mount Sinai
While Moses was on the mountaintop, the people of Israel became restless. They took their eyes off God. Afterall, they only saw a large thunderous cloud on the mountaintop. Moses was no longer in sight. Perhaps, he was consumed by this “God” he went up the mountain to be with. Whatever their thoughts, they wanted to worship a God they could touch, see and feel with their human hands. So, they gave Aaron all their gold to make an image they could worship. Of course, that meant breaking their covenant with God, whom they promised to love with all their heart, their mind and their strength, putting no other God before Him nor forming any object to worship. The Justice of God demanded their death. Indeed, God suggested to Moses that He might destroy them all and start anew with Moses to build a nation who would worship Him.
God’s righteousness demands righteousness of His creation. To accept less would be unjust. Then Moses intercedes for the people. He goes down and destroys the temple, then as he returns to God he makes offer to be the substitute for their sin.
Exodus 32: The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
What a beautiful picture of Christ who was to come to do just that, be the one who took our just punishment.
Secure in God’s Grace
God did not wipe out the people, nor did He blot the name of Moses from the book of life as atonement for the people. Then, Moses asked God if he could see God’s Glory.
In Exodus 33:18, Moses pleads with God, “Show me thy glory!” And God answers, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name, Yahweh. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”
In Exodus 3:14, when God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, the name Yahweh was explained with the words, I am who I am. He had called to Moses from a burning bush was unconsumed despite the fire. Now, Yahweh is explained with the words, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. Notice how these sentences are both built in the same way. In Exodus 3:14, the focus was on the existence of God — that He is who He is without anything outside himself determining His personality or power. His Being consists of nothing else but Himself and all other beings consist only in Him. Exodus 33:18 the focus is on the gracious action of God — that he does what he does without anything outside himself determining His choices. This is what God reveals about Himself when Moses asks to see God’s glory.
Why Did God’s Grace Give them more?
How often in the wilderness do we question God about His “injustice to us”? Well, I know He has sinned more grievously than I, why have you been so harsh on me? When I reach that place, I, like the children of Israel rebel. I take my eyes off God and the truth that every act of kindness if because of God’s Grace and I have not earned any of it. Did I forget that
God IS YAHWEH, THE GREAT I AM and that He knows what is best for me? (Hebrews 11:6).
Romans 9: 14-18 Paul asks,
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So, it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God who has mercy. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for this very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” Matthew 9:14-18).
So, then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Therefore, be comforted in knowing that if he deals with you as a child, you are secure in God’s Grace. Because, He has already redeemed you and He will finish the work He began in you. Don’t worry about how He deals with others. Secure in God’s Grace, keep your eyes on Him.
And Another Thing
Pray earnestly for others when you see them stumbling on the way, that perhaps God’s Grace will hold them up. Are you and I willing to like Moses say, “God, whatever they deserve, let me bear the burden for them? Please forgive them, for they know not what they do? Help me to stand firm, ready to lead them out of the wilderness whenever You are ready. Please be Merciful to them, for I have seen their pain and suffering. Teach me Lord, what to say and help me know when to say it.”
Second Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall.”
“In other words, our zeal of faith and obedience does not make us elect. It confirms that we are elect. Faith and obedience are a gift, and the possession of the gift is a confirmation of the favor of the Giver. God is not moved to choose us because of our faith. We are moved to have faith because God has chosen us. He is gracious to whom he will be gracious. ” John Piper
Know this, when you fall, you are still secure in God’s Grace; because it was never about you. It has always been and always will be about HIM.
[bctt tweet=”“ Lord please keep my eyes forever focused on you. Let me learn what it truly is to love you with all my heart, all my mind and all my strength.”” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
PREVIOUSLY
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Books Available
If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.
Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba. Or click this link to be taken there
Furthermore for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
Photo by Luis Machado on Unsplash
[1] New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved