Sometimes the clarity of God’s message reaches out and grabs me, pulling me from the fog, just before I veer wildly off course.
In Deuteronomy 1, Moses begins a chronological recap of the Israelites adventures with God – out of Egypt, to the edge of the Promised Land, only to be turned back into the wilderness for 40 years of wandering. Why? Because they failed to listen (trust, obey, etc…)
Occasionally faithful, sometimes stubborn, and too frequently self-willed… an entire generation failed to realize their inheritance… they perished in the wilderness without setting foot in the Promised Land.
God’s desire for the Israelites and for us as well is simply that we would listen and take His instruction to heart. Everything He calls us to do is actually what’s best for us.
Like Israel, I’m also ‘occasionally faithful, sometimes stubborn, and too frequently self-willed…’ Isaiah described me all too well.
“But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to go in. You complained in your tents and said, ‘The Lord must hate us. That’s why he has brought us here from Egypt—to hand us over to the Amorites to be slaughtered. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27)
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! (Psalm 81: 13)
And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (Isaiah 29: 13)
The Apostle John’s heart beat much like his Father’s. John’s desire was to see his children in the faith walk in the Truth and in this he took great joy!
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 4)
Walking in the Truth, bringing my Father joy, really is my hearts desire – but the fog of disbelief, distrust, and self-will, constantly threatens to engulf me… from inside and out.
Lord, You take great pleasure in leading me out of the fog and into the Light. You’ve brought me to the edge of my Promised Land, my inheritance, and invited me in. May I cast off my doubts and my fears and let go of my foolish self-will. Lord teach me to walk in the Truth of Your Son. Amen.
paul
Sixty-six books in a year 