There are three things each of us wants from God: to be provided for, to be protected, and to be guided throughout our lives. We want to know that He will be true to His word and provide for us as Paul states in Philippians 4:19, " And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (NLT) We seek His protection like a child does from its parents, "The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life." (Psa 121:7). We desire His leading to guide us on the right paths, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Pro 3:5-6) It is in these areas that we desire to know the Lord will be there for us in order for us to trust in Him. Yet, many of us still can't let go. We can't bring ourselves to believe that God's got this. That He will deliver. That He is the hero of our stories.
When my pastor was speaking about these three things, I felt like he was talking directly to me. Those are the things I want. I do lack trust. I know God's promises, His love for me, His story, and yet I am still fearful. God wants me (any of us, really) to let go. To take that first step into the Red Sea showing that we believe that He will stop the waters and deliver us safely to the other side just like He did with Moses and the Israelites. First, though, they had to believe, to trust, to take the first step. When Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, God said to march around the city seven times, blow the ram's horn, and then shout with all your might and the enemy will be defeated. Not a single weapon was raised. Joshua's obedience to God's plan without question is what brought down the wall. How many times does that same story play out? How many times does God say to one of His chosen to go and do the impossible? The result is always success.
God always delivers. He never holds back on His promises. The journey He has sent us on is one that He knows the end result of and it is always for good...His good. Even the bad things can be turned to good in His hands. The timing may not be what we expect. The scenario might not be what we want. The result is always blessed. Like the old sayings go, "You have to believe in order to receive" and "Take the first step".
When my pastor was speaking about these three things, I felt like he was talking directly to me. Those are the things I want. I do lack trust. I know God's promises, His love for me, His story, and yet I am still fearful. God wants me (any of us, really) to let go. To take that first step into the Red Sea showing that we believe that He will stop the waters and deliver us safely to the other side just like He did with Moses and the Israelites. First, though, they had to believe, to trust, to take the first step. When Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, God said to march around the city seven times, blow the ram's horn, and then shout with all your might and the enemy will be defeated. Not a single weapon was raised. Joshua's obedience to God's plan without question is what brought down the wall. How many times does that same story play out? How many times does God say to one of His chosen to go and do the impossible? The result is always success.
God always delivers. He never holds back on His promises. The journey He has sent us on is one that He knows the end result of and it is always for good...His good. Even the bad things can be turned to good in His hands. The timing may not be what we expect. The scenario might not be what we want. The result is always blessed. Like the old sayings go, "You have to believe in order to receive" and "Take the first step".
"Joshua's obedience to God's plan without question is what brought down the wall."
ReplyDeleteNuff said.