Have you ever just sat and watched a grandfather clock? (I know. Watching paint dry is more fun.) Yet, it can be a bit relaxing to watch the pendulum swing back and forth as it ticks off the seconds with amazing accuracy. Clocks like this are well-oiled machines of precision. Under the pull of gravity it swings from one extreme to the other.
Consider the fixed point from which it hangs. It gives the pendulum the control to convert its motion into useful energy. In Numbers 14:39, we read of how Israel was like a pendulum as the nation went from the far left to the far right, but it had no control nor did Israel have stability. The fixed point was supposed to be God Himself, but that connection was lost through apostasy.
After spying out the “land flowing with milk and honey,” Joshua made a challenge to the Israelites to obey God and go through with the invasion. Instead, they listened to the fearful report of the ten spies and stayed where they were (Numbers 13:26-14:38). After this, they were judged by God and rushed ahead without God’s approval (14:40).
We often do the same thing. Sometimes, we are afraid to move forward in our faith. At other times, we rely too much on ourselves and make rash decisions without seeking God’s wisdom and direction for us.
Jesus was both fully divine and fully human. He had a full range of emotions just as we do (Mark 14:34; John 2:13-17; 11:35), but notice that His responses were always in control. He always did the Father’s will (Mark 14:35-36; John 6:38).
We must learn from the example that Christ has given us to obey His Word and trust in Him. Then, we will not be subject to harsh extremes that can wear down the heart and the soul. We must hold to His Word to have stability in our lives.
