When I was a child, I remember always thinking about where I was, who I was with, why I was doing something, and what was coming next. I was never at peace with being in one place. I needed more and wanted more. I never understood why it was so important to have peace about things.
When Moses was given the strength through God to be used by Him to free the Israelites from bondage, they went into the wilderness. They stayed in the wilderness for 40 years before they went into the Promise Land. Why? Because the Israelites where not at peace with what God had given them. They were the perfect example of impatience even after seeing who God was. They started to sin against God by worshiping idols and complaining about how God was not taking care of them. They even wanted to go back to Egypt!
Yes, back to the place where they were making bricks with no straw and getting beat like cattle. How many time do we want to go back to a place where we use to be—not remembering how bad things use to be? Numbers 11:4-6 states, “The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!’”
They said, at no cost?! Did they forget about being held captive? They wanted to go back to eating meat and melons in slavery instead of being free with manna. Is this not backwards?
But how are we any different from the Israelites? Instead of being thankful for clean water, warm food, and fresh air, we complain about not having the jobs, cars, clothes, and anything else we want and the things we use to have. We forget that we struggled with sin, relationships, and understanding God.
In 2012 (and remaining years) it is imperative that we focus on what God has planned for us in this season and not allow the devil to get us focused on the things that are not going right today, tomorrow, or the next day. When we focus on the past we tie God’s hand and we affect our current blessings. Looking backwards will cause us to isolate those around us, change our personality and ruin the blessings we have now.
When things get hard meditate on these verses:
Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Nahum 1:7: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
You can’t press forward to the goal God has for you if your head is in the dirt or you are looking backwards. By looking backwards you won’t be able to see God. This year don’t be a “show me” Christian, be a “reveal Him by my faith” Christian.
Today’s Prayer: Dear Yahweh, I come to You with a desire for a new attitude, new perspective and new reverence for You, Jesus. I need to experience Your daily and constant presence in my life. I ask that You allow me to put You first everyday for my remaining days. I want to seek You first and do Your complete will for me life. It is only through Your power that I can be the person that You have called me to be. Thank You for your sacrifice of dying for me and help me to not forget how marvelous that sacrifice was. I love You and can’t thank You enough Father. Amen!
Be encouraged! —submitted by Micaela Titus, US
