Overcome Obstructions: Submit to God - Part 3

In Numbers 14 the Hebrew people refused to follow God's chosen plan to claim the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Time was of the essence! A decision had to be made and action taken to acquire God's blessing. I'm always amazed by predictable opposition to the clearest of God's directives.

          Were these people unaware they were accountable to God for their lack of submissiveness and to the reality that God's timing determines success or failure? Whatever the opportunity, giants, however they’re defined, will have to be subdued. The obstruction for the Hebrew people was a failure of faith that God would be with them and go before them to ensure victory.

          Listen as 1 John 5:4 gives us courage to step up to the plate and be submissive to God's leadership. "Everyone who is a child of God overcomes the world and our faith gives the victory that overcomes the world." To overcome means to subdue our fears and doubt and move forward in faith under the protection and presence Christ Jesus will provide.  

Overcome Obstructions: Submit to God - Part 2

What does the phrase, “time is of the essence,” mean to you? It implies an essential need to take immediate action. In Numbers 13 Moses sent a team of men to explore the promised land. Two brought back a good report encouraging Moses to immediately take possession of this rich land of opportunity. It was the moment to take delivery on what God provided.

However, obstructions consisting of fear and doubt gave loud voice to objections that resulted in forty years of wandering in the desert of poverty rather than enjoying the prosperity of a land filled with milk and honey. God's allowed Israel to sabotage a great opportunity by rejecting his perfect plan and timing.

It's hard to let go of what is known, yet God will ask us to do that. God expects us to be submissive to his leadership and to act accordingly. We will be held accountable for our choices. However, God’s love and goodness, his insight and wisdom, give us confidence to make changes that correspond to the opportunities he places before us.