The young bride sneaked a peak from under her white lacy veil at her soon to be husband. He was beaming and gazing right back at her. It was the happiest day of their young lives. The minister stepped forward and addressed the couple and those in attendance. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the joining of this couple in holy matrimony. They are sublimely happy and will have many good years together.” The couple squeezed each other’s hands. The minister continued. “However, one day, you, Jake, will fail her and not be there for her when she is undergoing a difficult trial with her other family members. And you, Sally, will fail him when you did not support him when his relationships with his co-workers were strained. Both of you will feel betrayed and the hurt will be transferred to your future children.”
How would you feel if moments before you take your vows, your minister predicted failure and disaster for your marriage? Of course, everyone would be shocked and hopefully, this would never happen. Yet, thousands of years ago, something similar happened with God.
So write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Help them learn it, so it may serve as a witness for me against them. For I will bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors—a land flowing with milk and honey. There they will become prosperous, eat all the food they want, and become fat. But they will begin to worship other gods; they will despise me and break my covenant. And when great disasters come down on them, this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know the intentions of these people, even now before they have entered the land I swore to give them.
Deuteronomy 31:19-21 (NLT)
The Israelites were about to enter the promised land of Canaan after wandering in the desert for forty years. God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey, overflowing with prosperity. This was the good news. However, God then informed the Israelites they would turn away from Him and follow after other false gods. As a result many disasters would descend upon them and generations would suffer because of their disobedience.
God is always ready to bless us with the desires of our heart but we must first be willing to trust and obey Him. God is love but He is also holy. He will not tolerate disobedience and continually warns us of the dire consequences of being unfaithful to Him.
How would you feel?
I am grateful that God, through His grace and mercy, warns us of the consequences of our sins before we commit them. When we sin, He does not abandon us. He sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ, to forgive and redeem us of our sins through faith and trust in His Name.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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