God's Character is Consistent
On Day 63 of The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble we were reading in Numbers 18-20 where God is addressing Aaron and his role as high priest. In chapter 20 we read about the Israelites grumbling to Moses once again, this time over the lack of water. God provides Moses and Aaron with a miraculous solution, but they do not carry it out to God's specifications.
In verse 24 the Lord says, "Aaron, this is where you will die. You and Moses disobeyed me at Meribah, and so you will not enter the land I promised to the Israelites."
In this study Cobble writes what she calls her "God Shot" from the passage.
"God's character is so consistent. Over and over, we see how He makes His rules and His people disobey Him, and while they have to deal with the consequences of their sins, He's ultimately so merciful. From clothing Adam and Eve while banishing them from the garden, to letting Moses lead the people but banishing him from Canaan, God calls sinners into His family and then works with what He's got. His mercy is such a comfort when we know the wickedness of our hearts. But the bits of wisdom He's given us are enough for us to know He's where the joy is!"
Do you wish there were no consequences for sin? Maybe just a soft mother's voice that says, "Sweetie, let's not do that again." I think most of us are thankful for God's righteousness.
God's knows sin is evil and where it leads. Forgiveness plus consequences stand as a reminder to all to stay away from sin. God's desire is not to punish, but to restore and redeem those He loves. Sin is not allowed it in heaven, but praise our Lord he has made a way for the forgiveness of our sins.
Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."
The Song
"Holy Forever" Chris Tomlin, Jenn and Brian Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlEEgMWwxhc
