In Deuteronomy, chapter one, verse twenty-six, the people of Israel should have entered the promised land thirty years before. However, because of unbelief followed by rebellion, these Israelites’ entrance was delayed for a generation, as described in Numbers fourteen thirty-three through thirty-four. Failure to believe God’s promise, to advance by faith, and live by His Spirit can result in a delay in or even a total loss of God’s plan for our lives. We should have a holy fear of being out of the Lord’s will and losing His presence, grace, and protection.
Moses reminds the Israelites of their march from Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea, through that great and terrible wilderness. He shows how near they were to a happy settlement in Canaan. It will aggravate the eternal ruin of hypocrites that they were not far from the kingdom of God. As if it were not enough that they were sure of their God before them, they would send men before them. Never any looked into the Holy Land, but they must own it to be a good land. And was there any cause to distrust the living God?
An unbelieving heart was at the bottom of all this. All disobedience to God’s laws, and doubt of his power and goodness, flow from disbelief of his word, as all true obedience springs from faith. It is profitable for us to divide our past lives into distinct periods. To give thanks to God for the mercies we have received in each. To confess and seek the forgiveness of all the sins we can remember.
Therefore, to renew our acceptance of God’s salvation and surrender ourselves to his service, our plans seldom account for good purposes. Meanwhile, courage in the exercise of faith and the path of duty enables the believer to follow the Lord fully. To disregard all that opposes, triumph over all opposition, and take a firm hold on the promised blessings.