Do You Believe God's Promises?
"The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn't believe His promise to care for them." Psalm 106:24
They wouldn't believe His promise to care for them. Wow.
How could Israel not believe God would care for them? They had just been delivered from Egypt. God split an entire sea in two for them to walk through. He gave them drinking water. He sent manna and quail from heaven for them. He provided a cloud and a pillar of fire to guide them. He proved Himself to be more than faithful.
Yet when they heard reports of danger in the Promised Land, Israel wept. They cried out, "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness! Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle?...Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?...Let's choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!" (Numbers 14:1-4)
All it took for Israel to discount God's promises to provide were stories of fear told by 10 of the men who had surveyed the land. It seems crazy to think that they would turn so quickly.
But when I think about it, it's really not much different for us, is it? I mean, how often do we retreat back to what would be "easier" than continue to move forward?
We let fear creep in. We get scared of difficulty, thinking it will be too hard and worrying that we will fail. We forget what God has already done. We discount the security we have in a God who goes with and before us.
And there we are, just like Israel in Psalm 106, refusing to believe God's promise to care for us.
My prayer is that we would be a people who truly believe God's promise to care for us. May we walk confidently into the "pleasant land" - not letting fear keep us from moving forward into what God calls us to.
How do we do that, though? Moses offers us an example in Numbers 14:13-19. After Israel cries out, refusing to believe, Moses prays on behalf of the people. Now, there's a lot that could be unpacked in that passage, but I want us to focus on three simple words from verse 17: for You said.
"For You said" implies two things:
1. Moses knew the promises of God.
2. Moses thought it would be beneficial to speak God's promises back to Him in prayer.
So, how do we believe God's promise to care for us? How do we move forward into what God calls us to? By knowing His promises and repeating them to God in prayer. Doing this will train our hearts to truly believe and trust Him. And y'all, there is something so special and powerful about praying His Word back to Him.
So my challenge to you, friends, is to memorize some promises of God and commit to praying them regularly back to God this year. I can't wait to see what He does in and through you as a result of this.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few of my favorite promises of God and how I pray through them:
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Prayer: God, You are my God. You are with me. Strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with Your righteous right hand.
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Prayer: Father, You promise not to leave me or forsake me. Help me to trust that you are with me. May I find strength and courage in You.
Matthew 11:28-29
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Prayer: Jesus, I come to you weary. My body is tired and my soul is heavy. Give me rest. Help me to learn from You that my soul may find true, satisfying rest.
Philippians 1:6
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Prayer: God, continue Your work in me. Thank you for beginning the good work of salvation within me. Continue to work in me - sanctify me. I know You will be faithful to bring my faith, and all things, to completion when Jesus returns.
The Bible is filled with promises of God. This list doesn't even scratch the surface! Have a favorite? I'd love to hear it in the comments below!
