Good morning people who trust God fully,

The ten spies brought back a negative report about the land that God said He would give them. Due to their report, the whole Israelite community grumbled and complained against Moses and some of the leaders, to the point they talked about stoning them.

Then God drops this verse in.

Numbers 14:11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?

When God declares His intentions and we get distracted by circumstances, we are treating God with contempt.

We need to understand: It’s always a God thing.

The people were complaining about Moses and Aaron, yet God rightly took it as contempt towards Him. There are a couple of reasons for this that instantly come to mind.

Firstly God authored the mission and gave the promise. Therefore, regardless of the target of their negative feelings, it was ultimately against God.

And so it is true in our lives. When God has declared something about us in His Word – and He has declared many amazing and wonderful things – and we don’t accept what He says, it is treating Him with contempt. Let’s not do that.

Secondly I believe God feels very strongly about speaking out against His appointed leaders. Too many Christians judge too many leaders. Sure they are not perfect, but nor are the people accusing. We are all on a journey and sometimes we get things right and sometimes we don’t. Let’s show some grace to our leaders and pray for them and bless them instead of criticising and judging them. God takes personally how we treat those in authority.

May we honour God by honouring Him and His delegated authority.