Believe His Promises

The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. [Psalm 106.24]

Is this not exactly what we do today in our dependence upon man's systems and the ways of the world?

God's people are indistinguishable from the world in their dependance upon the accomplishments of man. In a word, God has promised throughout the Bible to be His people's Provider (for everything). In context of the verse above, the Psalmist is referring to Israel's refusal to go into the Promised Land because they evaluated themselves according to man's standards and reason instead of by God's Promise.

How often do we do the exact same thing? We accept man's evaluation of our health, finances, and abilities according to man's standards, statistics and reason instead of by God's promises. In this way, we look and act just like the world.

What difference was God looking for in His people? To be precise, He expected Israel to march right into Canaan and conquer it without regard for themselves or their estimation of their military might. God expected Israel to act upon His promises without even considering "reason."

The Church today merely quivers in a powerless puddle of organization that demonstrates nothing of the power of God. God was very specific in His command to make disciples all over the world and God was just as specific in declaring the promise of His provision for us doing so. And what do we do? We evaluate ourselves by ourselves instead by God's commission upon our lives. To be more clear, we reason among ourselves what we can or cannot do based on our evaluation of our abilities, resources, or capacities. And yet, Jesus said:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

The Bible has NEVER been unclear about God's desire for our undivided faith.

You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]

People ask me, "Why don't you go to the doctor?" My answer is this, "Because I am looking for deliverance that can ONLY be attributed to God and God alone." A doctor may provide relief, but his hands and reason pollute God's promise to be our "one and only everything." Regarding that which God has promised, to resort to the hand and reason of man is to disobey God. Period. It is not a matter of personal conviction or preference, or what a "believer" is comfortable with - it is a matter of obedience or disobedience to God.

(On a sidenote: Christians fear death as much or more than anyone evidenced by their reluctance to obey God regarding what they trust in. This is the highest form of hypocrisy!)

Father, I wish to be found trusting You and You alone. Help me to methodically rid myself of all idols that have crept into my life and society as a whole. Give me understanding based on obedience, not my own reason. May my testimony be that You are my EVERYTHING!