NUMBERS 14:28-30
"Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to
you: the carcasses of you who have murmured against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you
who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except
for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land

which I swore I would make you dwell in.'"
It was a stormy night in Birmingham, England, and Hudson Taylor was to speak at a meeting at
the Severn Street school room. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a
stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the door­
keeper."
Fewer than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual
power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries;
and the rest were faithful Supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come. Taylor was
faithful and God rewarded him.
Faithfulness always has it rewards, both in heaven and on earth. Joshua stood faithful to God's
promises. When the ten spies brought back discouraging reports about the land of Canaan,
Joshua and his partner, Caleb, stood firm on God's assurance of victory.
When the people threatened to stone him, he refused 'to back down from his convictions. It's no
wonder, therefore, that Joshua and Caleb were given the privilege of entering the Promised Land
when everyone else was condemned to die in the wilderness.
Being faithful often puts you on the wrong side of popular opinion. Standing steadfast on the
Word of God can make you the object of ridicule, if not hatred.
Being firm about your beliefs sometimes causes people to think of you as narrow­ minded,
unenlightened or even worse. But be faithful to what you know is right. Ultimately your
faithfulness will be rewarded.
Don't be discouraged by what others say or do. Be faithful to God's Word and His work. God
promises He will make it all worthwhile.
FAITHFULNESS IS THE PROCESS; GOD'S BLESSINGS ARE THE PRODUCT.
WOODROW KROLL
www.backtothebible.in