“At that time I gave Joshua this charge: ‘You have seen for yourself everything the LORD your God has done to these two kings. He will do the same to all the kingdoms on the west side of the Jordan. [Deuteronomy 3.21]
Moses' instruction to Joshua here is appropriate for us all at any time.
I would venture to guess that most all of us have witnessed at least 'something' even if it is just one thing that we can attribute to God's doing. I know I have.
God fully intends to continue to do great works among His followers.
I have seen more miracles than I usually recall at any given time. However, I know that God has moved beyond natural principles and elements in my life and on my behalf many times. Like Joshua, I have seen for myself events un-attributable to any force other than the LORD God Himself. And, according to Moses' instruction to Joshua, I should recall those miracles and move forward in my life knowing God will do more miracles as I approach the need for those miracles in my life!
The lesson here is that we should walk by faith. If all we depend on is what man or even nature can do, then we have no earthly advantage in knowing our God. God never intended for His people to live that way! How do I know this? Jesus demonstrated what any man on earth has in a genuine relationship with God.
It is not ironic then that Jesus taught that man should live by faith in God. It is unremarkable that Jesus often scolded His disciples for not acting in faith (as opposed to being subject to earthly principles and elements). Jesus' walk of power and authority even over the wind and the waves demonstrated the very attitude toward "the things we see" that we ourselves should have.
But we instead "believe the science" as if that is some higher level of existence?
I want to challenge myself and anyone who may read this, instead of believing the science when faced with overwhelming circumstances, to believe the Spirit of God within. He may say "feed thousands" when you have nothing. He may say "heal the sick" when you don't even know what is wrong. He may say "move that mountain" when you don't even have a shovel...
We have all been groomed by science and usually respond accordingly. If we would instead allow ourselves to be groomed by the Word of God, we will find ourselves responding contrary to the natural ways of the world.
Grooming doesn't happen however with one little miracle. However, one little miracle, which most of us have seen at least one, is all it takes to start the grooming!
Oh, it will indeed set us at odds with the world. And, sadly, it will most likely set us at odds with all but a few in the "Church."
Here is a question: what do we have to lose if we trust God and fail? Think of it like this, if we trust God to heal us and instead we die, what have we lost? Life? Would we really grieve over losing this life to be in heaven with our Father? Really?
To be sure, faith will set us at odds with the world in every realm. The world doesn't mind us talking about faith, but when it comes to acting upon faith, the world (and most of the "Church") will respond in angst, ridicule, and scorn.
But if we, like Moses instructed Joshua, remember the victories God has performed in our lives, we will find the courage to move on to future victories.
Father, I want to remember all that You have done in my life that no one but You could have done. And, I want, in that mindset, to move forward into more situations where I might see You perform even greater works.
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