Worth the Wait

Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"

Genesis 17.18 (NIV)

We and Abraham have a similar problem.  We tend to move ahead of God and then ask God to bless what we have done.  God promised a son to Abraham and Sara and they decided that they knew how God was going to do that.  Through Hagar!  Perhaps they just made assumptions because it was "taking so long" for God to answer.  Whatever the case they moved ahead.

When we move ahead of God we really have engaged in sin, disobedience if you prefer.  When we do this not only do we create a bad situation for ourselves but also can make life difficult for others.  By moving ahead we miss the blessing that God has intended.

Wait on the Lord and allow God to lead you as a Christ follower.  Waiting can be difficult but God's blessing is always worth the wait!

Disaster of Disobedience

Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!”

Num 14:9 (HCSB)

Disobedience will always bring disaster into our lives.  The Israelites should have learned that.  They had a long history of disobedience that brought disastrous results.  But then again, so do we.  In this passage the people of God are challenged not to make the mistake of disobedience again.  They are given three warnings.

Don't rebel against God.  How simple is that and yet it was so hard for them to acknowledge.  It is for us as well.  Rejoice if you have someone willing to speak into your life these words, "do not rebel against the Lord."

Second, is do not fear.  Fear is a great distractor from obedience.  For the Isrealites it was fear of the people in the land.  For us we have different life challenges.  But the challenge is still the same, "do not fear."  There is also a reminder that God will be with us.

Last, is the challenge not to reject the plans of the Lord.  God had a plan.  He had already promised deliverance and victory.  What was required to walk forward and take the Land in obedience.  Will we follow His plan or try to find our own?

A Negative Faith

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. 6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 "If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 "Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey . Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.

Num 14:5-10 (NASB95)

Our faith is a personal thing, right? NO! Our faith always impacts those around us positively or negatively. Faith is personal but it also has implications for those in relationship with us and those in the community of faith that we are a part of. When we disobey, when our faith goes negative it will impact others. Here we see the negative impact on their leaders (Moses and Aaron), on their peers (Caleb and Joshua) and even God. Truth is that our negative faith will eventually lead to negative consequences for us as well.

So often we don't realize that our lack of faith (or negative) does have impact on others not just us. Take time to reflect and see if perhaps your faith is negative and the implications that will have on others. May I encourage every Christ follower to repent of their negative faith for their sake and others!