Point of no return

On the cusp of entering the Promised Land, Israel lost faith. The decided to go back to Egypt (Num 14:4). However, that was no longer an option. The Egyptians would not have taken them back. More important, God had a stake in this situation. His reputation was on the line. Failure was not an option. (Num 14:15-16). Sometimes we experience periods of doubt when we just want to quit. When most of the crowd quit on Jesus, he asked his disciples, “You don’t want to leave too, do you?” Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” (John 6:66-68). They had passed the point of no return. If you do decide to quit you will find that you can’t go back and you can no longer go forward. Only one option remains; to wander and die in the wilderness, sustained but not satisfied (Num 14:32). Interestingly, when confronted with this option, Israel found enough motivation in their rebellion to attempt to enter the Promised Land. They failed. (Num 14:44-45) Don’t miss the irony. What they would not do in faith, they attempted in defiance of God! Lord, save me from myself! Help me to keep moving forward. Who else do I have but you? (Psa 73:5)