What must have gone through the minds of those Israelites who knew they would never enter into the Promised Land but would die out in the desert? The older generation had experienced a release from Egyptian bondage through the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, but through unbelief and rebellion they lost momentum. Maintaining forward movement is still an absolute must.
A “going in” generation can learn valuable lessons from a “dying out” one whose first experience of God’s miraculous power has been obscured by a later attitude of unbelief. Ask those who are going nowhere how they lived in the days when they knew they were ‘going somewhere’ spiritually. Their answers will provide a clear contrast between faith and fear, courage and cowardice.
A “going in” generation needs to regain and maintain the vision the “dying out” generation once had but now has lost. What was the original vision? A “going in” generation needs to ‘turn a deaf ear’ to the excuses of a “dying out” generation. The dying generation speaks of the things their leaders did wrong. In Israel’s case this would be why they left Egypt in the first place; why defeating the giants in the Land was too much for God and Moses to ask; and why concerns based on the majority report of the ten princes were perfectly reasonable. A litany of excuses would have been (and will be) made.
A “going in” generation needs to be obedient to God’s word rather than dependent on signs. The signs had marked God’s supply during the forty-year maintenance period while the old generation died out. They ceased once the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River. “Signs followed” the new generation, whereas the old one had followed signs. The significance of the fall of Jericho is that it was Israel’s first word-based and obedience-related miracle.
The young leaders in our churches are leading a “going-in” generation that has “tasted” God’s goodness, seen His miracles, and experienced His power. They are jetting to far-flung nations and are seeing God’s miracles. They are sure that the “giants” of our time can be defeated. While others are ‘dropping out’ they are moving forward with a strong sense of purpose. The new generation is entering nations that the older generation would have thought closed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If your church is experiencing generational change – embrace it! Don’t fret over those who have ‘dropped out’ but focus on those who are determined to ‘enter in’! Don’t even think of ‘dying’ spiritually in unbelief — instead think of living an exciting and fulfilling life of faith. Reject unbelief and choose to ‘enter in’ to the ministry that God has promised, Jesus has made possible, and the Spirit has empowered you to do.
If you have already begun to turn away from Christian fellowship, it’s vital that you get back among believers who know where they’re going and who will not turn aside for anyone or anything. A coal taken from a fire loses its heat, but regains it when placed back among hot coals. Your love, joy and peace will return when you do likewise.
I’ve met many winners over the years, and the thing that set them apart was their determination not to turn aside for anyone or anything, but rather to “keep on keeping on” as long as they lived. When you encounter such people, follow them, learn from them, and do what they do, because they are not just survivors, they are winners!