There Is Always a But...

“They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.’”
Numbers 13:27-28

The people had traveled a long way through the wilderness with the Lord leading the way. It hadn’t been easy, but everything they needed and even much of what they had wanted had been provided for them from the Lord. Now they stood on the edge of the land God had promised them, a land they knew was good, a land they were instructed to take. Instead of moving in and taking what had been promised they started with the “buts”. But there are giants there, but the cities are so strongly fortified, but they’ll squish like ants. They had plenty of “buts” to stop them from being and doing all that God intended for them to be and do. What happened? They wandered about in the wilderness for another forty years.

In our modern world, we have plenty of promises of the abundant life promised us by God and there are always buts getting in the way of who we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to do. But…I don’t have the money. But… I don’t have the time. But…I don’t want to be ridiculed for standing up. But… I am afraid to take the next step. But…my health will not let me. We can come up with an almost endless number of excuses in order to continue living in what we think is a comfortable situation - but we will be missing out on all of the amazing stuff God wants us to do, to see, to be.

Joseph ended up in prison before he became second only to Pharaoh. Jacob was permanently injured while wrestling with the Lord but eventually became who God wanted him to be. Esther was taken captive but became the Queen of Persia and risked her life to save her people. Paul was the greatest missionary ever known - even with poor health and terrible luck when traveling. Jesus sent people out to share the Good News with no money. 

What gifts have you been given? What do you know for certain the Lord wants you to do? What are the risks involved? What are the “buts” that are keeping you from obedience and abundant life?

This week think about what happened to the Israelites who let the “buts” control their hearts and minds. Then remember all that the Lord has provided for you in the past and decide to follow Him into the abundant life He has already promised You. There doesn’t always have to be a “but” in our lives. 

A Prayer
Father - forgive for the times when we see the good things you have for us just across the river but we let fear and other stuff get in the way. We let the “buts” of this world keep us from the wonders of Your kingdom. Help us each day to push those negative aside and to trust that you will indeed provide us will all that we need when we need it so that we can be and do all that You have promised us. In the name Jesus, we pray - Amen.