TODAY IN HIS WORD COMES FROM
(Ps. 95:8-9 NCV)
Today listen to what he says:
"Do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were at Meribah,
as they were that day at Massah in the desert.
There your ancestors tested me and tried me
even though they saw what I did."
THOUGHT TO PONDER:
It isn't enough to believe that God can, at some point you have to believe that HE WILL. Sometimes the hardest thing in our walk of faith, is BELIEVING what we believe. You can't just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. And when we don't, we wind up stumbling in our faith. Don't let doubts and stubborn disbelief keep you from everything God has promised.
TODAY’S INSIGHT INTO HIS WORD:
Do you sometimes find yourself being stubborn? I know I do, even when I try NOT to be. How easy it seems to sometimes fall back into this. I daily have to remind myself, and stand on the truth that-- GOD'S WORD is true, what HE SAY'S is true and that HE IS faithful to do what He says He will do. Even if His promises take a long time in coming.
My friend, there was a reason why God parted the Red Sea first before commanding His people to step in. He knew they needed to see that HE COULD. They needed to see that they were following a BIG God, an all-powerful, almighty God. When God took them out of Egypt, He knew that they would need to see what He was capable of, and He was more that ready to show them. All the Israelites had to do what cross over the dry ground God provided for them-- God did everything else. He was the one to work all night, and when His people had crossed over safely, He was the one to take care of the enemy. Read with me Exodus 14:19-25 from the NIV;
19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.”
BUT, when it came time to cross the Jordan River, and go up and take the land He had promised to give them, they forgot all the incredible ways God had already proven Himself to them.
When they "tested Him at Meribah" they grumbled over the lack of provisions, over their need of water. How quickly they had forgotten how He had supplied for them. Instead of ASKING Him- they fell back into stubbornness and bitterness. They grumbled and complained. They didn't trust Him, even though He had already proved trustworthy.
And he called the place Massah and Meribah
because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying,
“Is the LORD among us or not?”
(Exodus 17:7 NIV)
And when it came time for them to go up and take the land God had promised them, they faltered yet again. You see, they believed IN God, but they failed to BELIEVE GOD. There really is a difference.
My friend, let me ask you something, do you do the same? When the going gets tough, when you CAN'T see the light at the end of the tunnel... do you grumble and complain? Or do you go to the one who is more than able, and trust Him, and believe that He is faithful?
-- Just something to think about today--
PRAYING IN FAITH:
Father God, we come before You today, and ask You to forgive us of any unbelief and doubts that hinder us from all that You would have for us. Lord, help us to take You at Your Word, knowing that You are faithful to fulfill it. Lord, renew our minds and help to maintain a believing heart. Lord, we praise You for all that would seem impossible for us, is not impossible for You.
Father, I lift this reader up to You, and I pray that You be with them. Lord, help them to be submitted to You. Lord, I pray that You will remove the stubbornness from their hearts and help them to go in and take the land of promise You would have for them. Lord, I pray that they will stay focused on You, and that You will help them to be strong and courageous as they follow after You. Lord, I pray that You will keep a protective shield around them, and keep them safe.
In Christ Jesus Name,
Amen.
~ My friend, thoughts are with you, have a good day!
Kassie