All Alone?

How often do you trust God to handle the small things, yet when it comes to much larger issues your faith grows dim?  Why do we doubt his ability to handle the BIG things, the tough decisions, the scary situations?  I have been on a journey to finish my nursing degree, and as I’m in my last semester of nursing school, I find myself afraid and doubtful that I might not finish, that I won’t be able to get a job after graduation, and that I might fail the NCLEX (RN licensure exam)…  However, this morning as I was reading about the Israelites entering the promise land, I was reminded that no matter what the situation is God will see it through.  I shouldn’t stop trusting God just as I’m about to reach my goal!  As I look back on all that God has done for me, I remember that He has ALWAYS taken care of me, so why doubt now!

 Numbers 14:5-9

“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!”

In Numbers chapter 13, the Lord instructed Moses to send 12 men to explore the land of Canaan – the land that the Lord promised to the Israelites.  When the men came back they gave reports of fortified cities with walls 20 feet thick and 25 feet tall, surrounded by guards, and the cities were filled with formidable men – 7 to 9 feet tall!  You can imagine how this looked to the Israelites – pretty intimidating right?!  Because of this fear, 10 of the men spread their own hesitations throughout the entire Israelite community.  They began to doubt that God would enable them to enter the land.  How could they - their armies were not near as big or as strong as what they were about to face in battle…  Yet, they forgot about all that God had already delivered them from!   God continued again and again to rescue them: freedom from the Egyptians, crossing the Red Sea, providing food and water in the wilderness…  Even after all of that, they failed to trust God to enable them to enter the Promised Land.  

                                                               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