Bring Us Not Over Jordan

Numbers 32:2, 4-5. “The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying…Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.”

The children of Israel had come to the Jordan River again. Last time they were there, Moses sent twelve spies into the promised land to spy out the land. Ten of them came back with an evil report, but two of them came back with a good report. Because ten of the twelve did not trust in the promise that God had given to them many years ago, they were not able to go into the promised land. God caused them to wander in the wilderness for another forty years.

They had returned the River Jordan which was the only thing standing between them and the land that God had promised them. The children of Gad and Reuben came to Moses to ask if they could stay on this side of the river. They like how the land looked, and they thought it would be great for their cattle. However, that is not the land that God wanted to give to them. Many years ago, their fear was bigger than their faith. Now, they had become comfortable where they were at. They didn’t learn from the past generation. Staying where they were at would not allow them to go to the promised land. Staying where they are at would not allow them to reap the blessings of the Lord.

Christian, in order for us to experience the blessings of God in our lives, we are going to have to have faith, and it may require us to get out of our comfort zone. God knows each and every step that we need to take. We just have to trust Him enough to take those steps. If God wants you to get out of your comfort zone, do it! It will be worth it. As a child/teenager, I did not like standing in front of people and speaking. I would be very scared and nervous to preach in front of people. Now, I enjoy it. That’s what God has called me to do. I had to get out of my comfort zone. God will help you. He will give the strength and courage needed to accomplish that. How are we doing as Christians today? Are we getting comfortable? Let us never get too comfortable where we are at in our Christian life. Let us get out of the comfort zone that God wants us out of and press on to do the work of God and experience His blessings.