Daily Devotions
Complacency
Reading for February 24th: Numbers 31-32
And they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan."
Numbers 32:5
By the time Israel arrived in Gilead, the people had been through a lot. They had experienced forty years of hunger and thirst, attacks from foreign armies, fiery serpents, and miles and miles of hard travel.
Gilead was a fertile land on the east side of the Jordan river, adjacent to the land of promise. They were poised to go in and take the land. After 40 years of waiting, it was time for them to live in the land flowing with milk and honey, to enjoy the fruit of vineyards they didn't plant, drink from wells they didn't dig, and live in houses and cities they hadn't built. It was all sitting there waiting for them.
To Moses' surprise, however, two tribes didn't want to go. Reuben and Gad were happy right where they were. They were tired of fighting. They were ready to settle down and establish their homes and live the easy life. "Do not take us across the Jordan," they said to Moses.
You can only imagine how this frustrated Moses (who wanted more than anything to go into the Promised Land but was forbidden). He replied, "Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?"
Does this describe you and me? Are we content to dwell in Gilead? Are we tired of fighting against sin? Have we decided that our lives are good enough here in the fertile fields God has provided for us? Are we unwilling to go and help our brothers fight in their struggles? Are we going to merely occupy a pew and keep our name on some church role?
Maybe Moses is speaking to you as well: "Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?"
Father, forgive us for our complacency. Give us a will and a desire to continue in the fight against sin.
