What A Promise!

Beginning today I will make people throughout the earth terrified because of you. When they hear reports about you, they will tremble with dread and fear. [Deuteronomy 2.25]

Now, that's what I am talking about! What a promise!

Israel had wandered in the wilderness for their sin and unbelief, but the time came for them to occupy Canaan. The verse above marks that time and what God said to them to mark it!

God's people are not like everyone else. Whether they are Israel of old, or believers of the twenty-first century, God's people should look and act different than the world. The difference is the lack of crippling and disabling fear!

You see, the whole reason Israel wandered in the wilderness was because they refused to accept the fact that they were different because of their God. When faced with the walled cities and giants in Canaan (their Promised Land), they acted like people of the world - considering only the 'facts' before them with human understanding and concluding that advancement into that region would be disastrous. Israel, gave in to fear and failed to believe God early in their exodus from Egypt. They consequently wandered in the wilderness for forty years making a journey that should have only taken a dozen or so days.

We have a Bible full of promises similar to the one above. We have the example and testimony of Jesus confirming what those promises look like. We have the Holy Spirit given to empower us to live in these promises and share them with all who will receive them.

So, what will we do with God's Word? Shirk back in fear? Or, will we advance for the Kingdom of God in the tasks He places before us without fear, hesitation, or dread?

Father, I want to be Kingdom-minded! I want to live free from the world and its 'natural' restraint! I have my 'marching orders' from Jesus, His testimony and example of what it looks like and how to proceed, and Your unrestrained Holy Spirit to assure victory!