…‘So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest” ’…
—Hebrews 4:3
Have you ever had a relationship with someone who didn’t have faith in you? If so, how did you feel, knowing you would never fail that person yet that person failed to trust you?
God feels the same way when we don’t believe in His power or desire to bless us. God feels pleased when we have faith in Him, and He feels angry when we don’t. In fact, our unbelief often short-circuits the blessings He has in store for us.
Consider, if you will, this tremendous lesson from the Old Testament. God promised to deliver the Israelites into the Promised Land. To get them there, He gave them straightforward directions: Go directly to the mount, receive the Ten Commandments, proceed to Kadesh Barnea, enter the Promised Land, and occupy it. Moses sent twelve spies to scope out the land in advance, to determine the obstacles that would have to be overcome before taking possession of the land. When the twelve spies returned, ten of them reported that the giants and walled cities were greater than the Israelites could conquer. Because of the Israelites’ reliance upon themselves and unbelief in God, God condemned them to wander for forty years in the wilderness! God said, “So I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” The Israelites did not place their trust in God; instead, they trusted in their own plans. And because they did, they delayed their entrance into the Promised Land. Their unbelief kept them from experiencing God’s perfect will for their lives.
God’s plan is perfect, and we need to submit to it. Otherwise we may find our hearts and souls in the midst of a vast wilderness, wandering because of our inability to trust Him. I encourage you to pray that God would give you the will to trust Him and His perfect plan. As you believe in His ability and desire to care for you, He will surely lead you to the Promised Land. He’ll lead you there even if you make the tiniest step of faith toward him by praying as the doubting man in Mark 9 did—“Lord, I do believe; help thou my unbelief!”
If you’ve missed God’s perfect will for you in the past because you’ve lacked faith, don’t be discouraged. You can still experience His will for you as you believe in Him. Trust in Him today, for He is faithful.
Quote of the day:
When unhappy, one doubts everything. When happy, one doubts nothing.
— JOSEPH ROWE
Entering The Promised Land
Hebrews 4:3
April 23, 2023
To See God
April 30, 2023
‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’ —Matthew 5:8 Some have called the concept of seeing God “the brightest star in the Beatitudes’ constellation.” For ages, Christians have longed to see God. The mystics of the Middle Ages rejoiced in the concept of seeing God, calling it the “Beatific Vision.” This vision was the great quest of theology and even the quest of science as originally constructed—through the examination of the cosmos, humans hoped to more clearly see the Creator. But Scripture explicitly states that no human can see God directly and live. Yet many still seek to do so. Philip the Apostle said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Even pagan princes have sought to see God. In the ancient Roman Empire, Trajan said to a believer in the true God, “I understand that you believe your God is everywhere…I should very much like to see Him.” The believer responded, “I am afraid, sire, that no mortal eye can look upon His glory.” Nonetheless, the king commanded the believer to show him God. The believer suggested to the king that he first look at God’s ambassadors before he look God in the face. With that, the believer led the king outside on a bright, dazzling day and told the king to look at the sun. The king responded, “I cannot, for the light dazzles my eyes!” The believer then explained that if the king could not look at a mere ambassador that carries a message of God’s creation, how could he possibly look into the face of God Himself? We cannot see God with our limited human eyes. But we can see Him with our souls, experiencing His joy, His peace, and His serenity. I hope that you have the blessing of seeing God this way as you foster a pure heart. "Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast, but even more Quote of the day: Thy face to see and in Thy presence rest." — ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVEAUX
Sacrifice
April 29, 2023
‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ —Mark 8:34 Have you ever noticed how virtually all of the people we call heroes have made great sacrifices in one way or another? To achieve the ends they deemed worthwhile, these people sacrificed their time, their finances, their health, even their lives. And because they willingly relinquished any claims to these things (which we take for granted), we view these people as heroes, worthy of honor and emulation. Throughout the centuries, God has used sacrifice as the marble from which He carves greatness. Here are some people we call heroes for the sacrifices they made: •the apostles who gave their lives at stakes, on crosses, and in other torturous ways; •the early Christians in the Colosseum of Rome, who watched iron grates rise and famished lions charge; •Christians who were tied to stakes and watched as torches ignited kindling beneath them; •the Pilgrims who, in the dead of winter, sailed across tumultuous seas to the inhospitable coasts of New England; •George Washington and his brave soldiers at Valley Forge, who left bloody footprints in the snow as they departed; and •Jesus Christ, who made the ultimate sacrifice, His life, at Calvary. What sacrifice can you offer to God this day? What material will you give Him so that He can carve greatness from your life? Quote of the day: "There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering." — THEODORE ROOSEVELT
All Things For Our Good
April 28, 2023
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28 Have you ever looked back on a difficult time in your life and been amazed at how, in an entirely unforeseen way, it turned out positively? As we go through life, God operates behind the scenes, working everything for good on behalf of those who love Him. We may not recognize it in this lifetime, but when we get to heaven and God replays the pictures of our lives, we’ll discover the positive end to each trial we’ve endured. I hope you’ll claim this truth today. I hope you know God has everything under His control, even the chaotic times in your life. He has a plan for everything you undergo. You may face an avalanche of trial, trouble, and tribulation. Maybe you face it even today. Anyone in that situation would feel discouraged. I have often found myself in the deep, dark pit of despair and discouragement, wondering how I’d ever get out. But in those times God encourages me by reminding me of His promise: He works everything for good. We must view everything that comes our way, even the most difficult situations, through the filter of God’s love. I invite you to do that today, whatever trial you face. Remember that God has a perspective on your problems that you can’t see as a limited human being here on earth. Be encouraged that God can see the big picture and that He’ll put the pieces of your life together to an end far beyond your wildest dreams. Quote of the day: God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. — WILLIAM COWPER