Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25


GO FEVER

READ:
Psalm 37:7
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Be still before the
LORD and wait
prtiently for him.
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On January 28, 1986, after five weather-related delays, the space shuttle Challenger lumbered heavenward amid a thunderous overture of noise and flame. A mere 73 seconds later, system failure tore the shuttle apart, and all seven crewmembers perished.

The disaster was attributed to an 0-ring seal known to have vulnerabilities. Insiders referred to the fatal mistake as “go fever”__the tendency to ignore vital preacautions in the rush to a grand goal.

Our ambitious human nature relentlesly tempts us to make ill_advised choices. Yet we are also prone to a fear that can make us overyly cautious. The ancient Israelites demonstrated both traits. When the 12 scouts returned from spying out the Promised Land, 10 of the 12 scouts returned from spying out he Promised Land, 10 of the 12 saw only the obstacles (NUM. 13:26-33). “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are,” they said (v.31). After a fearful rebellion against the Lord that led to the death of the 10 spies, the people suddenly developed a case of”go fever.” They said, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the LORD promised” (14:40). Without God, the ill-timed invasion failed miserably (vv. 41-45).

When we take our eyes off the Lord, we’ll slide into one of two extremes. We’ll impatiently rush ahead without Him, or we’ll cower and complain in fear. Focusing on Him brings courage tempered with His wisdom. ___Tim Gustafson

**Before making a quick decision consider why you want to make it quickly.
Consideration of it will honor God and what it might cost others.
if you are afraid to make a decision, think about why that might be.
Most of all, pray!
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A moment of patience can prevent a great disaster.

**************************Today’s Bible Reading __ Nubers 14:39-45***************************
39 When Moses reported this to all the Israelites, they
mourned bitterly. 40 Early the next morning they set out
for the highest point in the hill country, saying, “Now we
are ready to go up to the land the LORD promised. Surely
we have sinned!”

41 But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the LORD’s
command? This will not succeed! 42 Do not go up, becaue the
LORD is not with you. You will defeated by your enemies,

43 for the Amalekites and the Canaanites will face you there.
Because you have turned away from the LORD, he will not be
with you and you will falll by the sword.”

44 Nevertheless, in their presumption they wnet up toward
the highest point in the hill country, though neither Moses
nor the ark of the LORD’s covenant moved from the camp.

45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that
hill country came down and attacked them and beat them
down all the way to Hormah.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
In today’s reading the Israelites seem to have
a change of heart after God pronounces judgment on them for
their grumbling and unwillingness to trust Him (Num. 14:26-38).
SEE DEUT. 1:39-40). After being told that no one over the age of
twenty--except for Joshua and Caleb__will be permitted to enter
the Promised Land, the people cry out, “Now we are ready to
go up to the land the LORD promised. Surely we have sinned!”
(NUM. 14:40. SEE dEUT. 1:41). But they failed to recognize tht the Lord’s
promise was that He would go before them and deliver them
from their enemies. They were now tying to go in their own
strength, and they were defeated (NUM. 14:41-45).

__Dennis Moles