Devotionals: Jesus Pardons Sin

Deuteronomy 32: 48-52 48 On that same day the Lord told Moses, 49 “Go up into the AbarimRange to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan,the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. 50 There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. 51 This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites.52 Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”

 You ever do something wrong, and in the back of your head you know it's wrong, but still do it? You know you shouldn't be doing it, but justify it because your set in your own ways, or  everyone else is doing it? Or has someone ever told you or suggested a way to do something that would add to your life, but you do it another way because you doubted their words ? I know I have. Sometimes it can be hard making the right decision or heeding advice.You are stubborn and think my way worked last time, it will work now. You think it's okay because no one sees the trials you are facing or the guilt you have. But guess what? God sees it. He knows our flaws, our sins, our wrongdoings and bad choices. He knows everything. 

In the book of Exodus after Moses had lead the Israelites out of Egypt, they were wandering in the wilderness because they did not have a permanent location. On two occasions while  in the desert, the people complained and argued with Moses because there wasn't any water at the places they had stopped. Prior to, God had told Moses he would always provide for them, and if Moses had faith and believed, and guided the people to their holiness;  all would be okay. Like most of us though, when we are hungry and there is no food in the fridge or we have nothing to eat at the moment, we start complaining and saying "I'm starving, I'm hungry". Little do we recognize that the moment of hunger is temporary and we will eventually get something to eat. Some of us don't even know what real starvation is. Imagine famine's and the time of the Great Depression. Homelessness on the street.

In continuation of the story,  the Israelites did not trust God and tested him and continued to argue with Moses, even though God had already performed miraculous signs and wonders in  Egypt. With these two incidents, Moses cried out to God and asked that God provide water for the people. He lacked faith and wanted God to handle the matter right then (which God did); however, God was upset with Moses lack of faith. Moses was given a specific job, to lead the people and build their faith, and he was to do it completely. God had selected him and his brother out of all people to do exactly what he said and to trust in him. Because of Moses lack of faith at the Desert of Zin and Meribah Kadesh, he was not allowed to enter the promised land which God promised the Israelites. Moses was only able to see the land, and died before the Israelites crossed over. God did not have much mercy and in chapter 33 of Exodus, Moses died just how God had told him he would  in chapter 32. Reading this story made me sad. I wondered why God didn't give Moses a second chance, 

Romans 8:3-4 says  For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

In the Old Testament , God gave Moses a law for him and the Israelites to follow. The law was very specific, and for those who did not follow it or were disobedient, they were punished without a second chance. This is why Moses was unable to enter the Promised Land. In the New Testament however; Jesus is present and has mercy on us. He forgives and allows us to have not one , not two, but many chances at being better.  God loved us so much that he sent his one and only son to come to us, die on the cross for our sins, resurrect, and be the intercessor/ middleman to God on our behalf. All we have to do is believe in Jesus, ask him to come into our hearts, repent of our sins, listen to him and trust in him, and move forward. Moses and many of our ancestors before us did not have a second chance with God but we do. We shall be grateful. 

Be Encouraged,

Noelani