Topic: Trusting God
“Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!””
— Numbers 14:9 NLT
Eight of the spies spread doubt and dissension to the nation of Israel. Caused a wave of fear to sweep over the people. This fear and doubt led the people into rebellion against God. Their doubt and fear drove them to forget everything the Lord did for them and especially His promise to them. Eventually this poison of doubt led to their demise when the tried to take things into their own hands.
In the church today, we may be also rebelling because something wasn’t right or measured up to our expectations. “The worship was off.” “Church didn’t start on time or ended too late.” Though small, these complaints can lead us to rebelling and can destroy our faith. Being a Christian does not mean that we will lead a happy life free from disappointments or challenges. Being a Christian means that through these disappointments or trials, God will be with us. Even though we may have giants and seemingly strong forces before us, with God, there is every possibility to overcome them.
Two things God is speaking to me about:
1) Choose to stop complaining. Complaining stops all focus on God and puts everything onto the problem. Complaining takes our eyes off of solutions and onto finding faults. I know I have complained about things and found that it did not help anyone out but just fed the already overgrown problem before me. It led me to forget everything good that has happened and also closed my eyes to seeing God’s provision and promises. I need to choose to stop complaining.
2) Fight fear with faith. It is natural for us to fear things. It is a way to protect ourselves from harm. However, when fear is stopping us from growing it is deadly. We lose out to being comfortable and existing but not really living. God desires us to explore and grow with Him in this world He has created. He desires that we experience things and grow in our faith that He is with us. Faith will allow us to see God working amidst our situation and allow us to grow beyond comfortable and safe into His Promises.
Lord Jesus, I know that in my own heart I have complained and sat on the sidelines out of fear of getting hurt or failing. I ask for your forgiveness when I have rebelled against your leading and chose to do things my way. I desire to explore and discover all the promises You have for me. But in order to do that, I need to develop my faith in You by daily choosing to follow You even when I cannot see beyond the forces before me. Please open my eyes to see you fighting for me, and see that with you, nothing is impossible. I love you and thank you for your patience and mercy! Thank you for never withdrawing your love from us and for promising to be with us, always! Thank you, Jesus! In Your Mighty Name, Jesus. Amen!