Numbers 14:39-41 39When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 40In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, “Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised.” 41But Moses said, “Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed.” The people were caught and punished for their rebellion. They were so burdened with guilt, they sought to obey the original command. They were beyond that. To go into the promised land wasn’t an option. They were told that they were bound to the wilderness for the remainder of their days. They felt so sorrowful that they tried to enter the land. Sorrow and shame will do this. We are succeptable to two lies. The first is that Satan minimizes a sin. This emboldens us. This may be why they so brazenly didn’t go into the land. The second is he will maximize our guilt after we sin. This is where the people were. Their guilt was heavy. They attempted to repair it by obeying the first charge. Lord, help us to be sensitive to You. Even though we might not feel it’s a big deal, if You forbid it, help us to heed that. We need to walk according to His Word. We need to be in it. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Lord, help us not stay under the weight of sin You’ve forgiven us. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” At times we need to take this by faith. We will feel horrible. We have to rest in His forgiveness. The people were governed by their feelings. They were fearful to go in, so they didn’t. They were punished and they felt bad. So they attempted to evade their guilt by going in. There was no faith or subservance to God. David says in Psalm 32:9 “Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.” When we live by our feelings, we are as an animal. We are more guided by drives, appetites, wants and fears. To live according to faith is higher. It often requires us to deny our wants. Lord, help us to be sensitive to You. Help us to put our feelings where they belong. Help us allow Your Word to dwell in us richly.