voices
The people in Israel had a choice to make. They could listen to the voice of God and two men who reinforced what God had told them about the Promised Land, or they could listen the voices to the contrary. Unfortunately for that generation, they chose to listen to those who doubted that God would come through on His promises and instead of entering the Land on the 11th day, they wandered for more than 14,000 days while the unbelieving generation faded away. (Deut. 1:26)
The voices that we listen to have so much impact on the life we live. We read the promises of God, we experience His goodness and faithfulness, yet we find ourselves listening to the voices that cast doubt and condemnation. Often, we just get confused in our circumstances and wonder if we ever “heard from God” in the first place. When things look challenging and difficult, when our bank accounts aren’t full, when not as many people show up as we thought would, we doubt. I encourage you to not measure the validity of God’s voice by your circumstances. As I look at the Scriptures, God never promises and easy road paved with prosperity. No, I see a God who builds the faith of His people as they walk with Him giving them enough to help them push through one more day. If the volume of God’s voice seems to fade when the circumstances around you are bleak, then maybe it is the circumstances that are drowning out God’s voice. I believe God is still speaking the same promise to you as loudly as before.
God is speaking the same promises to us as he did to the Isralites. He promised us he will never leave us, comfort us, provide for us. But we as Christ followers forget that it is a partnership (relationship). Did God say “Do whatever makes you feel good and just give me a call when you are having problems?”…No, he said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength (mind)”. How well do we live up to ALL of me, my thoughts, time, money, relationships, the things I watch on T.V, the things I listen to on the radio.
God is very forgiving if we just come to him with a repented heart. Thats what he wanted the Isralites to do…..return to the one and only true God. Deut. 6:2 says that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statuted and commandments……
I think the Isralits stoped fearing God (because all we hear is God is Love), but God is also a God of judgement, a jealous God, a God who desires our ALL. Do we have a Godly fear of God? I pray that I do
So true…the God of Israel is our God and He has the same Promised Land for us. A Land that He has prepared for us to enter if we humble ourselves and are obedient to Him. And, yes, the God of the universe is One to be feared. Our reverent fear keeps us in a healthy relationship with our awesome God!!
love you mom.
The road that we walk with Christ has ups and downs, joys and trials, but at least we are never alone. Jesus is walking with us the whole way, guiding and encouraging us to reach the destination He has determined for us before we were born. We can walk righteously and in the fear of God, and still not have an easy road to travel. Look at the path God had for his own beloved Son. Don’t let your worldly eyes color the way you see your circumstances. Just as importantly, don’t let the worldly opinions of others color the way you respond to your circumstances.
Only our Lord and creator should have that power over us,
Lisa
Lisa – love your insight into the life of Jesus…none of us could look at His life on earth and call it easy! What a tremendous burden He carried for His Father and for us.