Facing the Giants of Life - Part 3

The strongest and most faithful Christian is vulnerable to sin and failure. Moses succumbed to disobedience and was held accountable by God, who instituted severe consequences. Moses’ disobedience demonstrated an unwillingness to be submissive to God and those he was responsible for leading during a difficult period of transition.

Getting fixated in negative thinking obstructs feelings of happiness and joy while possibly preventing a normal progression toward positive opportunities and success. All the Hebrew people twenty years of age and older who had come out of Egypt would be prohibited from possessing the promised land because they refused to be submissive to God's leadership.

Blaming others or God for our troubles demonstrates an unwillingness to make appropriate, healthy choices. Yet regardless of how daunting our troubles and challenges appear, God will deliver us safely to wherever he is directing us. He requires us to move forward in faith, believing in his promise to help us overcome every obstruction.  

Facing the Giants of Life - Part 2

In life’s journey, cruel, bad things happen to good people because evil exists in the hearts and minds of those whose mission is to harm others. Justifiable punishment is right for those who perpetrate evil on the undeserving. Blaming others for our lack of achievement and failing to be accountable is often a defense for lack of courage and faith.

The majority of the men whom Moses sent to survey the land God promised believed Israel was incapable of taking it from the giants who possessed it. Listen to their exaggerated analysis. "The people living there are powerful giants and their cities are fortified and well defended." They believed God was incapable helping them, so they exaggerated the obstructions.

They blamed God for placing impossible barriers in their way and believed death awaited them if they engaged the giants who possess the land. They failed to trust in God's provision and protection. Whatever you’re facing, believe "you can do all things through Christ who will empower you to do what appears impossible." 

Facing the Giants of Life - Part 1

Opportunities will invariably include some obstructions. Obstructions are deterrents that can obscure success. The Hebrew people chose wandering the desert forty years rather than facing giants that possessed the land God had promised to give them. Fear prevented them from following God’s guidelines that would insure their success.

Refusing to take advantage of the opportunities God makes available demonstrates lack of courage to step out in faith and be accountable. Numbers 14 gives evidence of this process in action. Listen to the voice of protest and blame. "If only we had died in Egypt or in this desert. Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?"

They cried out against exaggerated obstructions while rejecting God’s promise of victory. God's promises always embrace possibilities for victory. He does require that you be submissive to his directives and, with the faith he provides, confront the real or imagined giants. He will empower you with his strength, so victory is assured.