Don’t Chicken Out

“Don’t be terrified of them. God, your God, is leading the way; he’s fighting for you. You saw with your own eyes what he did for you in Egypt; you saw what he did in the wilderness, how God, your God, carried you as a father carries his child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here. But now that you’re here, you won’t trust God, your God— Deuteronomy 1:29-32-The Message

Moses is preaching his final sermon to the people of Israel. He is reminding them of all God has done for them and how they have responded to God’s goodness. In this passage God has brought them to the end of the wilderness and is commanding that they take the land He has promised, but they chicken out with excuses and additional requirements from God. They have watched God in action for forty years and just when He is ready to give them what He has promised, the task seems impossible to them, and they panic! 

Note- they had to fight to receive the promise, but He guaranteed success.

This entire chapter is a lesson for today. When God says “go,” we need to go even though the odds seem impossible. When God says “stay,” we stay even though the conquest seems reasonable, even easy!  Later in the chapter they repented and decided to try the easy way, but God said no! Even though they had the power to succeed, they were defeated because God was not with them. When God is with us, He has set the timing and circumstances to assure victory even though the task seems more than we can handle and entirely out of our comfort zone. How would we know it was God if we could do it on our own? Why do we need God to do what we know we can do?  After years of following Jesus, I know, even the things that seem easy for me need the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish their purpose. Even my gifts used in my own strength can backfire. I need to listen closely and go when He says go, even against my gifting and stay when He says stay, even with my gifting! I must trust and obey knowing His way guarantees victory.

Jesus, this lesson is as old as Adam and Eve, and yet I sometimes still struggle with it. I know I must test the spirits to make sure it is You speaking and not the tempter who appeals to my desire to please and succeed. Once I know it is You, I must obey and take the first step. Often, I have found You reveal only one step at a time, and I cannot see exactly where I will end up. Sometimes there are bumps even detours on the road, but You said I would have to fight for the victory. Oh Father, give me the courage and strength to fight at Your command and resist the temptation to take the easy way out!  Don’t let me miss out on the victory only You can give. I trust Your love always goes before me, behind me and hems me in. Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for Your presence and guidance in my life!!