Do you feel like God is calling you closer to Himself? It could be that He wants you to spend more time in His Word. Or has He been convicting you to share Christ with others? Do you recognize a need to memorize Scripture more? Do you need to prioritize your prayer life?
I do not ask these questions pointing a finger at you. I ask them because I have felt God’s finger on these areas in my life. It is as if God has put His finger on these one at a time and said, “This is the next area where I want you to grow – to know Me better.”
In my spirit I really want that closer fellowship with God; however, my flesh bulks at the price – the time, energy, and whole-heartedness that these require. I may need to give up something I really like!
While struggling with my flesh that bulks at any change or discomfort on my part, the Lord showed me this verse. This is what God said to the Israelites about the land He wanted to give His people.
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Deut. 8:7-10
Who wouldn’t want that land? God had told the Israelites that they were to go in and take possession of this land that He was giving them. But the Israelites didn’t want to give up what it would take to claim God’s promise. They were content where they were and afraid to move forward. Afraid that what God offered may not be worth the price. That generation allowed their fears and unbelief to rob them of what God wanted to give them.
God wants to bless His children with a sweet knowledge of Himself- a relationship with Him that goes beyond all we can imagine. What do you and I allow to rob us of this pleasure?
Has God put His finger on an area in your life? Now is the time to make your decision. Is it worth the time, energy, and whole-heartedness? And when it is all said and done, will you be glad for the decision you made?
-Linda McCarthy
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