On The Verge

In Numbers 14 the Israelites were on the verge. They had just spent the last 40 days in the desert. Just 40 DAYS before this they had seen all the plagues God sent against Egypt for their rescue. They saw the ark of the covenant made. They saw God in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. They saw a dry path appear in the middle of the sea. They saw their pursuers drown in that sea. They made a cast idol, worshipped it, were given the ten commandments, drank water from a rock, ate manna for free, complained about the manna and were given quail till they got tired of that, and kept right on grumbling. All in 40 days!

Then Moses sends out a group of leaders on a spy mission. They were to go to the promised land, check it out, and report back. After just 40 days the nation of Israel is camped out on the edge of this land. A land flowing with milk and honey the Bible says. It's the land of their destiny. And the spies come back and report that this land is indeed awesome. Except for one problem. All but two of them (Joshua and Caleb) say the people living there are too big and powerful to depose. Joshua and Caleb's disagreement with this assessment nearly got them stoned to death. And the whole community starts grumbling again.

So instead of taking possession of their destiny on day 41 this community of believers/doubters/grumblers/rebels began another journey. One that would last 40 YEARS and see everyone over 20 years of age die in the desert, except for the two nearly stoned to death, Caleb and Joshua.

Israel was on the verge, but fear replaced faith. What are you on the verge of? What might it cost if fear or sin or ego get in the way?

God is writing an epic story.............and we're in it.