Prayer Journal
Wednesday, July 19, 2000
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Deut 8:2
God has always had "His" people and He has always seemed to test them in order to determine their true motives. By giving man the freedom to do right or wrong, it's plain to see who has a heart fixed on Him and who does not.
The greatest gift man has been given is redemption through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ. The next greatest gifts are life itself, followed by the freedom of choice.
Today, the church represents "people of God" as much as Israel. Does God test Christians like He did when he led Israel to wander in the wilderness? Yes, He does! God loves us enough to give us freedom to fail, knowing those who choose wisely will be stronger because of the testing.
"God is long-suffering and not willing that any should perish. 2Peter 3:9b" I submit a simple question to those reading this devotion: How much neglect should God endure in view of the price He paid to redeem you?
You may read Deut 8:2 and see encouragement there. After all, the example of the wilderness suggests that the failure to trust seems to be followed by testing and redemption. In other words, "multiple chances at obedience". That's not always the case!
God may give a disobedient person a second chance, but there's no promise of continued waiting on his part. There is an end to his patience. When the Israelites failed to enter the land of promise the first time, God led them into 40 years of wandering. Yes there was testing, but the majority of the people died in the wilderness. Only their children and the faithful witnesses and their families (40 years earlier) ultimately received the promise.
Will your wandering end without ever receiving the promise?
Thank God, His promises are faithful and true. But make no mistake - receiving is up to you. Just Thinkin'.. WebServant 7/19/2000
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
