“Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the
ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had
explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their
clothing. They said to all the people of Israel,
“The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will
bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with
milk and honey. 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
13:31-33
“But the other men who had explored the land
with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we
are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites:
“The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live
there. All the people we saw were huge. We even
saw giants
there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers,
and that’s what they thought, too!””
How often are our lives like that of the Israelites? Constantly complaining about our situation and forgetting of all that God has done for us. Sometimes we let reality take over and forget what God can do in and through us. I know I should have faith that God would _______ (fill in the blank), but I really don’t think that it’s possible and maybe I should just do it my way… When things seem out of control, we are quick to find a solution. The Israelites solution was to go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). Yet, if they would have looked at the larger perspective, they would have realized what God was about to do for them. Instead of moving forward they moved back and the consequence for that generation of Israelites was not entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-38).
Instead of complaining and focusing on our present trials, trust that God has a perfect plan. He has taken care of you this far, won’t He continue to do so.
Matthew 14:28-31
“Then Peter called to
him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes,
come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the
water toward Jesus. But when
he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save
me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have
so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?””
Spend some time thinking about the
areas in your life where you lack faith.
Give those areas to God, and trust that He will get you where you need
to be! Learn from the Israelites - their
lack of faith got them nowhere! Remember: that never once did you ever walk
alone, never once did God leave you alone – GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Deuteronomy 31:6
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before
them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will
neither fail you nor abandon you.”
“Never Once”
by Matt Redman
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful