Preschool
Wash you, make you clean. Isaiah 1:16
On the Brink of Victory
Memory Verses
Primary
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Isaiah 1:16
Junior
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Background Scripture: Numbers 13-14
Lesson Scripture: Numbers 13:1-2, 17-21, 26-28, 32; 14:1-2, 6-10
Introduction
Every person wants to be in control of his own life; however, those who choose to be Christians face the challenge of completely surrendering their life and will to God. Many people approach the door of salvation but hesitate to pass through the narrow gate of repentance. For one to humble himself and repent of his sins is difficult—it is contrary to human nature. But when the “old man” dies, the victory is gained by the power of Jesus. A Christian continues to battle Satan and his old nature throughout life. However, Christ promises, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
Key Verse
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jer. 29:11).
Lesson Scripture
Numbers 13:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
17 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
18 And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched out the land, rent their clothes:
7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Studying the Lesson
The children of Israel cried for relief as they lived in subjection to their Egyptian taskmasters. God heard their cry for deliverance, but He had to bring much suffering to Pharaoh before he became willing to let them go. As they traveled toward the Promised Land, their faith was tested as they passed through many difficulties. However, God repeatedly worked miracles to help strengthen their faith, and there were some who had a firm faith. Nevertheless, many among that great multitude discounted what God did for them.
Though God forgave His people many times, some of them had a spirit of rebellion in their hearts. They forgot that their victories were not due to their own abilities. At times they reflected on some of the things they had enjoyed during their slavery, such as the leeks and garlic, but they failed to remember the impossible demands of their taskmasters.
Their lack of faith and obedience were a great hindrance. They forgot God’s promise: “But if thou shalt indeed obey [my] voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine Angel shall go before thee” (Exod. 23:22-23). God was preparing them to enter the Promised Land. He was teaching them by the law to understand His righteousness and by experiencing hardship to be ready for the battles ahead. When we look at our own lack of faith, it should help us to not judge the Israelites too harshly.
When those that passed up the opportunity of victory began to realize their lost opportunity, they decided to go ahead by their own strength, only to learn that it was impossible. The opportunity had passed; they would have to reap what they had sown. They would not be able to enjoy the Promised Land. Only the children who were under twenty years of age would be given that privilege.
However, the faith of Joshua and Caleb carried them through when they, along with the unfaithful, had to spend forty years in the wilderness. Their belief in the promises of God was their refuge in the years following their disappointment.
Practical Truths for Today
Man thinks of victory as accomplishing what he sets out to do. However, the word victory in the Bible often refers to a deliverance not gained by personal ability or strength. Spiritual victory is realized when a person gives up his own will and agenda and trusts himself to God. Repeatedly, throughout history, people searching for truth have faced impossible odds when measured by human thinking. Many in their quest are brought to that place of decision where God asks them to abandon themselves in trust and obedience to Him. Those who are unwilling to make that break often become bitter and resentful about life and fail to come to the knowledge of the truth.
God is omnipotent and can frustrate the objectives of men. When man’s mission is contrary to God’s plan, He will overrule. Great men, putting forth great effort, have been defeated even when they by wisdom, wealth, or ability have drawn others to unite with them in their pursuits. Gamaliel, the Pharisee, in dealing with some of the apostles, wisely acknowledged the power of God. “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:39).
To become a child of God there must be a work of God that brings about the new birth, because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), Some children who have Christian parents comprehend their sinfulness when the Lord calls them. They surrender to God, and in their simple faith they come into peace with Him. Others find it more challenging to become children of God. When God calls them, they struggle because they are not willing to surrender control of their life and trust their future to Him. Their pride keeps them from repenting and confessing their sins. Others struggle to believe in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins; they try by their own works to pay for their sins. Whatever the condition, the Holy Spirit continues His work to bring about the death of the “old man” and the birth of the “new man.” Sadly, some come to the door of salvation and, when victory seems imminent, they become discouraged and never attain the prize. They have met most of the conditions, only to hold back the final surrender.
The dedicated believer finds that, after the initial victory of justification by faith, sanctification is God’s continuing work of grace. Justified believers are not free of fleshly urges to sin but have found in Christ the power to overcome these temptations. God calls us to sanctification so that we become more fitted for His service. Disobedience to the Holy Spirit’s reproof as well as the admonition of the brethren will hinder or halt our spiritual growth. If we are unwilling to let God mold us, we will find that His power in our life is diminished and the work of the kingdom is hampered. Those who neglect or refuse sanctification eventually place their justification in question. On the other hand, living an obedient life with victory over the flesh could be likened to enjoying the Promised Land, where God blesses us with spiritual milk and honey.
Alas, some Christians who have traveled the Christian way for many years, having made many sacrifices and given many years of service to the Lord, become offended. Without repentance they will lose the privilege of entering heaven, which is the final victory.
Illustration
Many years ago, a family moved to the United States from Mexico. They received permits for immigrating and were living legally in the country. In the course of time, two of the sons fell into crime and, after serving time in prison, lost their legal status and were deported to Mexico. They both returned illegally to the United States. The older brother became enslaved to alcohol and drugs and came under the influence of an evil spirit that was trying to incite him to commit murder. He realized that unless he found deliverance he would commit a very serious crime.
One evening, for the first time in his life, he attended a religious revival service. He asked the minister for help. The minister told him that it was only possible to be delivered from this spirit if he would totally surrender himself to Jesus. As they were visiting he suddenly said, “I am going to do it,” meaning that he would turn himself over to Christ. God wrought a wonderful work in his life: he was delivered of that spirit in an instant. Because he was in the United States illegally, after receiving counsel, he returned to live in Mexico.
The younger brother was also deported to Mexico because of crime. There was a small congregation of believers in the border city where he was staying, and these brethren became aware of his residency and went to visit him. He repented and was later baptized into the church. Although life has been difficult for him, he has remained true to his commitment to God. His life is a living example of 1 John 5:4, “and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
The older brother became unwilling to live in Mexico and again entered the United States illegally. He was eventually captured and, after serving numerous years in prison, deported to Mexico. Life has not gone well for him. The last word is that he is dying in a Mexican prison hospital.
Questions
- What part does a living hope play in our victories?
- Does it help us to overcome temptation if we focus on the many advantages of serving the Lord?
- What are the ways Satan uses to divert us from coming to complete victory?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).