As we run into the second half of January, shall we consider this checklist of the things that displease God? This is an appropriate follow-up to the series of avoidable vulnerabilities examined in our last postings. They are succinctly set out in our scripture text, repeated in Hebrews 3:17 and Jude verse 5 with the consequences. We set these out below as a check list to judge ourselves.

• vs5—Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their dead bodies were scattered around the wilderness.
• vs6—Now, all these things serve as types and pictures for us—lessons that teach us not to fail in the same way by callously craving worthless things
• vs7—and practicing idolatry, as some of them did. For it is written: The people settled into their unrestrained revelry, with feasting and drinking, then they rose up and became wildly out of control!
• vs8—Neither should we commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, which caused the death of twenty-three thousand on a single day.
• vs9—Nor should we ever provoke the Lord, as some of them did by putting him to outrageous tests that resulted in their death from snakebites day after day.
• vs10—And we must not embrace their ways by complaining—grumbling with discontent, as many of them did, (Philippians 2:14) and were killed by the destroyer!
• vs11—All the tests they endured on their way through the wilderness are a symbolic picture, an example that provides us with a warning so that we can learn through what they experienced.

Psalm 106 gives a detailed account of the counter position they took concerning the promises of a loving God. We draw attention to these for we live in a time when the purpose of all the ages past is now completing its goal within us. As the world and circumstances throw all its arrows with venom against us—There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple—in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is fading away.1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (MSG)

Dearly beloved, be discerning and beware if you think it could never happen to you, lest your pride becomes your downfall. Selah.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele