Believing Without Shame

Numbers 34:1,2

‘Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders.”‘

God spends this chapter describing the borders of their new land. This is exciting. They have been promised this land since Abraham. However, this affects the present inhabitants and the world opinion frowns upon it. However, they were to obey and be thankful, in spite of the supposed negatives.

As Christians, we are given the Ten Commandments as well as other beliefs. We are to live and think accordingly. We are to do so without shame. To take it one step further, we are to be grateful for His guidance. Our culture has taken different stances. We aren’t to be in their faces. Paul tells us to attempt to “live at peace with all men” (Rom 12:14). However, if pressed, we aren’t to deny.

Are we to tell no one? The Bible codes are for His people. We are to admonish one another. We can inform unbelievers, if applicable. Yet we aren’t to “cast pearls before swine” (Matt 7:6). Some may want to talk for purposes of argument or ridicule. We aren’t to engage in that.

We should rejoice in His Word. While the world frowns upon much of the bible, we shouldn’t let their attitude taint ours. We are to be grateful for His guidance. He does so for order and our health. He is the designer and the bible is the instruction manual. We might not appreciate some of it. Yet, we should be grateful by faith.

One example is from the middle ages. God provided dietary and customary laws to the people of Israel. The people of Europe died in mass by particular plagues. No one was aware of germs. Yet, the jews did not die. Their adherence to their laws kept them away from germs. No one knew why. So, we obey God’s Word because of His reasons. We will gain benefits that we are unaware of. He will reward our obedience. I think of the words from an old song, “though none go with me still I will follow.”

Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that give us guidance. Help us to adopt Your Words with pride and gratitude.