Illustration: A photographer was hired to take pictures of a great forest fire; he got his office to hire a plane so he could take some airborne pictures. He arrived at the airport and jumped into the plane that was waiting for him. “Let’s go! Let’s go!” Startled, the pilot quickly swung the plane around and took off. “Fly over the north side of the fire, and make three or four low level passes.” The pilot looked at him. “Why?” “Because I’m going to take pictures. I’m a photographer and photographers take pictures!” The pilot's eyes grew really big. “You mean...you’re not the instructor?”
In Numbers 13, the spies return to report what they saw while in Canaan. Two men, Joshua and Caleb, give good reports, but the other ten state that they cannot overcome the opposition. As a result, God says that they will not inherit the land, but rather, will wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Their children will then inherit the land.
Notice with me three sins that the Children of Israel committed that kept the power of God from going with them:
1. The Sin of Murmuring (v. 27, 36)
God hates murmuring. The word means this: “to murmur, to mutter, grumble, say anything in a low tone.” Eight times the Bible specifically says that the Children of Israel murmured against God. Three times God punishes Israel specifically for murmuring against Him. Korah and his followers were swallowed up in the earth because they murmured against Moses; God sent fiery serpents into the camp because Israel murmured against God.
Christian, it is not a light thing to complain; it is a sin against God.
Num. 11:1-- “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”
I Cor. 10:10-- “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”
Murmuring will destroy your testimony and walk with God:
Phil. 2:14-16-- “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
Christian, what are you murmuring about? It’s a sin! And God is not among you.
2. The Sin of Despising God’s Blessings (v. 31)
God had brought Israel out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness to the land He had promised; but when Israel got there, what did they do? They despised the very land God had given them! Despise: “feel contempt or a deep repugnance for”
Ex: Esau. “thus Esau despised his birthright”
When we despise God’s blessings, we despise God Himself:
II Sam. 12:7-10-- “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore has thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?. . . Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me...”
I wonder how many Christians today are despising God to His face because they have despised His blessings. Christian, what has God given you that you are despising? Is it looks? Is it your family? Is it your current situation? How much longer will you spit in God’s face?
Don’t despise God’s blessings in your life! It’s a sin, and God is not among you.
3. The Sin of Presumption (v. 44-45)
Illustration: In the 1960s, hippies would get married and name their children strange names, such as Time Warp or Spring Fever. These kids would grow up and go to school on the bus; they would proudly wear their name tags on their shirts. So it was with Fruit Stand. Teachers thought his name was a little odd, but they were used to odd names. They tried to make the best of it. “Would you like to play with the blocks, Fruit Stand?” “Fruit Stand, how about a snack?” When it was time to load up the buses, a teacher asked, “Fruit Stand, do you know which one is your bus?” He didn’t answer. Then the teacher remembered that the parents were supposed to write their child’s bus stop on the reverse side of their name tag. She turned over the tag to see the name, “Anthony.”
It’s dangerous to assume something, but how much more dangerous is it to assume that God is with you? Take note: God did not leave Israel that day; Israel left God. Presume: “suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability; take for granted that something exists or is the case.” What is it that you want to do with your life? What goals are you pursuing. Whatever they are, don’t forget to take God with you! Don’t leave God behind! Don’t assume that He’ll be with you and bless you!
Psa. 19:13-- “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
It is a dangerous sin to presume on God; in fact, David calls it “the great transgression.”
How badly do you want God to go with you?
Ex. 33:14-16-- “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us?”
Christian, have you left God? Make the choice that you will not go unless God goes with you. Don’t presume!
Samson assumed that the Holy Spirit was still on him; he did not realize that he left God on the floor with his hair.
Listen, your status does not guarantee that God is with you; your talents, abilities, and skills in a certain field do not guarantee that God is with you. Has God left you because of one of these terrible sins? Is His presence really with you today? You better make sure.
CONCLUSION
Christian, check yourself today.
Are you murmuring and complaining? Are you despising God’s blessings on your life? Are you assuming that God will go with you and bless you? You better get on your knees and confess your sin...because God is not among you.
