V-alidating our Trust in God – Part 4
This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called “V-alidating our Trust in God”.
We are in our series called V-alidating our trust in God and we have talked about getting a v-ision and then beginning to v-enture into it. Today we are going to talk about v-ariables. V-ariables come in lots of different packages, but the biggest v-ariable is time. We almost always have to wait to see how the v-ision takes place. And we are not good at waiting! Neither were the Isrelistes and we will look at a story from their journey to help us get some clues about how we can learn to v-alidate our trust in God while we WAIT.
The Israelites were in slavery to Egypt for over 400 years. God delivers them from their bondage through a series of plagues, etc. The people of Israel are then on their way to the promised land. The promised land is about a two week walk from Egypt, and yet it took them forty years. Let’s look at why.
Exodus 13:17 “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them (directly), though that way was shorter. For God said, `if they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt’.”
They had to WAIT as part of God’s plan. Why?
1. God uses the WAIT time to help prepare us for what lies ahead. The people of Israel weren’t ready for the battles that they would face.
2. God uses delays to help us learn that we can trust Him.
Most of Israel didn’t do very well with the whole trust God issue. In fact, only two of them who left Egypt actually got to go into the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb. What happened to the rest of them? They didn’t know how to WAIT.
How not to WAIT!
When you’re facing the v-ariables here are four things that you shouldn’t do or be.
1. Worried
Don’t get worried. When we get worried we usually start to complain. Listen to the Israelites.
Numbers 21:4-5 (NIV)
4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
The Israelites complained about pretty much everything. They complained about the journey, the leadership, about the water, about the food. Did you ever notice how people start complaining when they have to wait? Go to the airport and listen to the people whose flights are delayed. It seems as though the only way we can even begin to tolerate waiting is by complaining.
When we worry, we are taking matters into our own hands. Instead of worrying, PRAY
Psalms 37:7-8 (NIV)
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.
2. Afraid
Don’t be afraid. Fear kept the Israelites from trusting God. Fear will keep us from trusting God and moving out in faith.
Deuteronomy 1:26-28 (TLB)
26 But the people refused to go in and rebelled against the Lord’s command. 27 “They murmured and complained in their tents and said, `The Lord must hate us, bringing us here from Egypt to be slaughtered by these Amorites. 28 What are we getting into? Our brothers who spied out the land have frightened us with their report. They say that the people of the land are tall and powerful, and that the walls of their cities rise high into the sky! They have even seen giants there–the descendants of the Anakim!’
Instead of being afraid, focus on Him who is with you always.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Fear will keep you in the wilderness and out of the promised land. Focus on God’s presence whenever you are afraid.
3. If Only
In the v-ariables of the journey don’t fall into the if-only trap.
Numbers 14:1-4 (NIV)
1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
The if-only’s will cause you to lose heart and give up. They will make you idealize a bad situation because it is familiar. The Israelites were saying that they would rather be in slavery then have to trust God on this journey.
The if-only’s will cause you to second guess every move and decision that you have made. Instead of the if-only’s keep doing the next right thing.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
4. Turn Away
Sometimes while we wait, we begin to forget all that God has done in our lives and we turn away.
We forget God’s power and instead of focusing on God we turn away and start focusing on our problems.
Psalms 106:7 (NIV)
7 When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
God had just done the ten plagues to get them cut loose and now at the Red Sea they had already forgotten the power of God. We do the same thing!
Instead of turning away, rebelling, we need to learn to trust God.
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
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