When God puts something on your heart, do it immediately

(There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.)
	Deuteronomy 1:2
We come to the fifth and final book of Moses, the final book of the Pentateuch, the final book of the Torah, and the final address to the people he had led for forty years. It’s a lengthy address, but oh, so impacting, for in it Moses reviews and reminds the people of their history - how their fathers failed miserably, but how God saw them through faithfully. The parenthetical statement in verse 2 must have been particularly painful for Moses to pen. After all, how long would it take a man to walk from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, the border of the Promised Land? Eleven days. How long did it take the children of Israel? Forty years. Forty being the number of biblical generations, an entire generation was lost simply for their lack of faith. When God brought them to Kadesh-barnea, they were supposed to go from there and take the territory, and move into the Promised Land. But they lacked faith and were fearful of the giants about which they’d heard. Quoting from this very story, Paul says, “Learn the lesson” (see 1 Corinthians 10:11). When God puts something on your heart, do it immediately lest you wander around needlessly and waste your days in a desert experience. Pastor Jon Courson

Make your calling and election sure

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; and the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession. So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
Numbers 35:26–29

If someone accidentally killed another, he was to flee to one of six cities of refuge, where he would be safe from those who wanted to avenge the death until a trial could be held. If, however, he left the city of refuge before the high priest died, he was fair game. The avenger would not be found guilty of his death. Once the high priest died, however, he could return home.


The person who was guilty - as we all are - was kept safe in the city by the life of the high priest. But he was declared not guilty by the death of the high priest. The picture should be obvious. We are kept safe by the life of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. He is the One who intercedes for us, the One who gives instruction to us, and the One who lives through us. But while we are kept safe by His life, we are saved by His death, for our sins have been washed away by His blood.


For New Testament confirmation of this Old Testament illustration, consider Acts 27 . . . 


The storm was raging. The boat was bobbing up and down. The soldiers were panicked and the sailors were frightened. “We’re going down!” they cried. 


But as they fought for their lives on the furious sea, Paul said, “Be of good cheer. There shall be no loss of life.”


As the storm continued, however, the sailors let down a lifeboat to escape the impending crash. “Except the sailors abide in the ship,” Paul said, “they can’t be saved.” So the ropes were cut, the lifeboats fell empty into the sea, and all on board the ship were saved. 


So too, as long as we’re on board the good ship Salvation, we’ll be saved. As long as we’re in Jesus, our refuge, we’re okay. But if we choose to wander off, to bail out, to back away and live a life of drunkenness and fornication, of adultery and bitterness, the Bible says we’ll not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5).


Am I teaching contrary to the doctrine of eternal security? No. I believe in eternal security. I know I’m eternally secure because I have no intention of going anywhere other than staying on board the ship of faith. I know I need the Lord. I know I can’t make it without Him. He is my City of Refuge, my Ship of Salvation. And I have no intention of leaving. 


“Make your calling and election sure,” Peter writes (2 Peter 1:10). How? It’s so simple, as easily accessible as a city of refuge. You don’t have to climb a mountain or swim an ocean. You simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He died for your sin and rose from the dead (Romans 10:9). 


When I lead people in the sinners’ prayer, I pray right along with them. Is it because I doubt my own salvation? No, I know I’m saved, but why not take every opportunity to say, “Lord, I love You and I understand my great need for You. And rather than be doctrinally arrogant, I want to make sure You’re in my heart and that You hear from me again. Lord, I confess You as Lord and am so thankful that You died for me, that You live in Heaven, interceding for me.” 


I say this time and time again, not because I’m insecure and worried about losing my salvation, but simply because in Jesus, my refuge, I have reason for great celebration.


Pastor Jon Courson