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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You patiently bore the grumbling and complaining of an evil generation who put you to the test “ten times” and would not listen to your voice. But you will not be mocked, and you “will by no means clear the guilty” (Num 14:18). Those who rejected you died in the wilderness. I bow in worship before your righteousness, and I praise you for your justice. You are not a God who can be trifled with, for “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). Today in Your Word Today you told me about another tragedy in Israel’s history. The people came to the border of the land you had promised them, only to turn away in fear and despair. How could they have experienced the mighty miracles in Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the fire and thunder of Mount Sinai, the glorious cloud of your presence, and yet still be so afraid that they threatened to stone Moses and Aaron? The answer is found in Hebrews: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Heb 3:12). People can be surrounded by your presence and yet still doubt your word and question your commands. What can I do to avoid such a heart? “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13). Mutual admonition and accountability is the key to guarding my heart against unbelief. I need to be warning and encouraging my fellow believers every day. Reflection The ten spies who convinced their tribes to rebel died that same day by a plague. Do I recognize the responsibility I have to be a godly influence on those who look to me for leadership? Request Father, give me the heart of Joshua and Caleb, a heart that looks past the giants of Canaan and sees your mighty hand of power and deliverance. Thanksgiving Thank you for sharing this sobering story with me. I know it comes from a heart of love and concern for my spiritual welfare. As Paul said, “These things…were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:11–12). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Stay, Thou Insulted Spirit, Stay” by Charles Wesley. Meditation Verse: Numbers 14:9.