God gave the children of Israel commandments to follow in the wilderness but they refused to obey. They began serving other idols and living a way that angered God.
God can't bless you with his promises if you can't obey through the trials
In the wilderness is where people's endurance, character and their ability to be obedient come to the fore.
We have learnt that Moses was allowed to see the Promise Land but couldn't enter because of his disobedience and also because of his unbelief.
It took the Children of Israel 40 years to get to the promise land. For all their murmuring and complaining, it prolonged their stay in the wilderness.
Everyone is in different stages of their journey, walking through the wilderness. It's very important that we are obedient and hold on to God's word for our lives.
Let's see what God says about Obedience
“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you. (Deuteronomy 4:1-2 NLT)
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:17 NLT)
Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! (Hebrews 12:25 NLT)
So we see here that at times, we should do what needs to be done. Moses knew he had to speak to the rock but instead he disobeyed.
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8 NLT)
Jesus, too was in the wilderness for 40 days. It was there that he too learned about 'obedience in the wilderness'
In summary, being disobedient is very dangerous. It could cause you to miss out on the Promise Land, don't suffer the same fate like Moses or the Children of Israel. Let's be like Jesus and learn obedience and how to rely on God.
