Sometimes, we have contradictory desires. On the one hand, we want to be adventurous and go out and save the world, but on the other hand, we want to be sure that we have our creature comforts. In addition, we do not want to be too far from my loved ones. Some of you may be in child rearing years, and you are looking forward to seeing your children become adults and independent. Those of us who have reached that season already miss the child-rearing years. What does it take for us to be content!?
The Bible shows that as much as God came through for the Israelites, they quickly became discontent and even angry at God and His appointed leader.
Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them. Exodus 2:23-25
God was merciful to His people and heard their cry. The Lord allowed Moses’ life to be saved as a newborn in order for God to use His life for the purpose of delivering His people from Egypt. However, the Israelites were not happy about leaving Egypt.
Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land and bring report of what they observed in Canaan. All men observed the same thing, but ten of them came with the report that the people living in Canaan were giants. The ten spies saw themselves as grasshoppers in comparison to the Canaanites. The other two spies, Caleb and Joshua, focused on God’s will in their lives. They had the faith that they can possess the land and overcome the so called giants.
Faith will stretch you
All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” Number 14:2-4
It’s amazing how forgetful we can be. We can pray for months or years for something, but once we get it, we begin to doubt God because it is not what we expect it to be. Every new door of opportunity will have some stretching. We cannot remain comfortable and grow at the same time. Not every stretching is necessary nor is it from God. On the other hand, just because things get hard, it does not mean that God is not in it.
Taking new territory will have opposition
If we want to take the steps of faith, there will be opposition to it. The enemy will not sit on the sidelines and allow us to take over a new territory for God. Just because things get hard, it does not mean that we are incapable. At times, we will feel like grasshoppers, but we cannot entertain those lies if God has led us in certain direction.
If we just desire to safety and security in our little tent, we will retreat in times of challenge and uncertainty. Our starting point in every undertaking should be ensuring that it is led by the Lord. If God has led us into a new direction, then we must trust His provisions on this journey. He will unfold what we need when we need it. God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf and allow us to see His hand in the midst of reaching Canaan.
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.
