I’ve been encouraging you since the beginning of this year to take up the challenge of reading through the Bible over the next two years: read it through in two. This would involve reading on average two chapters a day. If you’ve done this during the first two months of this year you should be ready to start reading the book of Numbers.
In this book you’ll find that God is not in a hurry. The late president of Wheaton College, Dr. V.R. Edman, used to say, “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the daylight.” Israel did. And their doubt and consequent disobedience brought delays in the fulfillment of God’s plan for their lives.
The book of Numbers reveals God’s patience in executing His plan. Nothing could frustrate Him. Israel complained, rebelled, and disobeyed, but God still fulfilled His promise. How? By actively being involved in the process. When Israel sinned He stopped and dealt with them. Patiently, step by step, He led them on.
We must learn that God is never in a hurry. When we disobey He directs the process of our lives through the fiery furnace of circumstances and unintended consequences. Through those experiences He breaks the heart of rebellion and removes the impurities caused by disobedience. When done, He starts us off again from where we went astray. The experience helps us see the folly of disobedience and makes us better persons. Oh, the wisdom and patience of God!
