Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? (Heb. 3:16)
We learn much from children. Children are open and honest, and they seem to appreciate the little things. Children are also teachable. Although there are notable exceptions when children rebel, if a child is taught to love, they will love. If taught to share, they will do just that. In one instance, Jesus used a small child to teach the multitude about his Father’s kingdom and he said that we must be like small children in order to enter the kingdom of God (see Matt. 18:3).
As children grow, they may learn bad habits from others around them, and if they are not called to stay the course, they may become people who do not respect authority, who fail to show gratitude, and in many instances, who become filled with hate.
When the Israelites wandered in the desert after their leaders failed to trust God for the plentiful land of Canaan, they hardened their hearts. The very people who had been freed from captivity in Egypt rebelled against God and their leaders, simply because they were not being given what they wanted. The once-sweet, once-grateful children of Israel became sour. Eventually, the Israelites entered the land, but not before some sorting had taken place. Lack of gratitude is a poison to the heart.
Meditate on your fruit and discard what soils your heart.
Luska Natali is a native of Brazil who is passionate about God, her family, learning new languages (she fluently speaks three), and meeting people.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
