Left Standing

Daily Reading: Numbers 26

Scripture Focus: Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. (Numbers 26.65b)

Devotional Thought: Today's chapter seems to be simply a list of tribes, names, and numbers. But, there is something important happening. God is fulfilling his promise to bring Israel into a new land. A generation had passed since God had delivered the Israelites from Egypt. The fledgling nation had gone through some significant tests, "passing" some, but sadly "failing" others. Moses himself was about to die short of the goal. A new census was taken. There were only two men left: Caleb and Joshua. They were the last men standing.

Why - of over 600,000 men - were only two of that original generation allowed to enter The Promised Land? What made Caleb and Joshua stand above even Moses in this regard?

A generation prior, the Lord had sent twelve spies into the land to discover how they would enter and possess the promise of God. Of the twelve, only two - you guessed it - Caleb and Joshua brought back a good report. Only two believed that God would indeed deliver them into Canaan.

If - when the end comes - we are to be left standing, then we must be men and women of faith. God has provided a way to life - to abundant life here and to eternal life in heaven. That way is Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in him will not perish, will not fall in the wilderness of this life, but will enter into eternal life. They will be left standing.

When that day comes, I want to be standing.

Prayer: Father, thank you for providing a way for me to enter into life. I believe in your Son Jesus, the Savior of the world. I stand by faith upon him. Not on my feelings. Not on my works. Not on my family. I stand on Jesus. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-- let Israel now say-- 2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. (Psalms 124:1-5)