March 9th

In today’s reading (Numbers 33–34), we walk with Israel step-by-step through their 40-year journey from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land. Chapter 33 reads like a travel itinerary, but it’s far more than that. Each location represents a moment of God’s provision, correction, and presence. Moses records every stop along the way by the command of the Lord—because every step mattered to God.

If you look at the attached map, you’ll see a sketched path of that journey. It’s winding. At times, it loops back on itself. But it’s never aimless. That image reminds me that sometimes our lives may feel like we’re going in circles, but when we walk with God, no step is wasted. Like the psalmist wrote in chapter 37:23,

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way”

What struck me today was not just where they traveled—but the disobedience that prolonged their journey and made it all the more difficult.

God instructed Moses to tell the people:

“When you pass over the Jordan… you shall drive out all the inhabitants… destroy all their figured stones… demolish all their high places… But if you do not drive out the inhabitants… they shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides…” (Numbers 33:51–55)

That’s exactly what happened. Though God gave clear instructions to eradicate the enemy from the land, the Israelites failed to do so. Later, these very nations and their idolatrous practices became snares and stumbling blocks.

In the margin of my Bible I wrote, “Why did the Israelites allow the people to remain whom God had commanded be driven out?”

And the answer is because of convenience, compromise, and/or carelessness.

We do the same in our own lives. We know what the Lord desires and yet we, at times, fail to deal with the sin, allowing it space to occupy and cause us difficulties. Paul in Romans 6:12 warns us:

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies, that you should obey its desires.”

Yet, there are time that we do. We justify, tolerate, or delay obedience. But the undealt-with sin becomes like those Canaanites left in the land—barbs in our eyes, thorns in our sides.

Chapter 34 shifts from the past to the future. God defines the borders of the Promised Land and names the leaders from each tribe who will oversee its distribution. Even though He knows we are prone to wander, God plans for and works out the very best for His people.

Takeaway: God’s promises are not dependent on our performance—they are guaranteed. But He does call us to faithful obedience, and our responsiveness does affect our quality of life. Just as Israel’s journey was hindered when they failed to drive out the enemy, our walk with Christ suffers when we leave sin unchecked. Where might God be calling you to “clear the land” in your life? Don’t let anything remain that could later rob you of the peace, joy, and freedom He intends for you.