If Not One Step Forward, Then Many Backward

“And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” (Nu 14:4 AV)

This statement was made following their rejection of Canaan.  This was at the conclusion of the twelve spies returning with their report.  A question arises.  Even if you didn’t want to take the step of faith and conquer Canaan with the power of God leading the way, why return to Egypt?  They had survived the wilderness.  Why not set up camp somewhere else?  Why return to a life of hardship and bondage just because one didn’t have the faith to live in the promise of God?  This is a great mystery.  But it shows us the nature of the saint.

We are told, in no uncertain terms, that it is impossible to please the LORD unless we live by faith.  We see this in Hebrews chapter eleven and in verse six.  Faith requires risk.  Yes, the people of Israel were risking their lives to trust the LORD and enter Canaan.  Yes, when the LORD asks us to trust Him, from our perspective of doubt, there is always risk.  Even if we are unwilling to take additional steps of faith, why don’t we keep the status quo?  Which brings up a very salient point.  When we refuse to trust the LORD, there is no status quo.  It may seem that way.  Especially to the casual observer.  But there really isn’t.  When we refuse to step out on faith, our natural desire is not to stay put.  It is always to go backward.

Who hasn’t stood at the side of a pool or lake and looked at that water, wondering how cold it was?  We look at the water.  We dip the tip of our toe in to see how cold it really is.  There are plenty of others enjoying the swim.  We know that no matter how cold it is, our bodies will adapt right quickly.  There is really no reason to not trust what we know will be and jump in.  But there is a part of us that cannot accept the initial shock of the change of environment.  So, what do we do?  We retreat as far away from the edge of the water so that the demand of the swim is no longer a pull on our minds.  If it means to retreat to the house so that we do not see the pool or lake, then that is what we do.  If it means to retreat to a safe distance and sit in a recliner so that not even a drop hits our flesh, then that is what we do.  We do not continue to stand at the edge of the challenge even though we know we will not jump.  We retreat.  In other words, if our spiritual life is not one step forward, it is always many steps backward.  There is no status quo in a faithless life.