Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God, who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go. Deuteronomy 1:32-33
The human capacity to disbelieve God is strong. The children of Israel, despite the clear Word of God and the visible presence of God among them, struggled to believe God. Now I find that hard to believe! This is an insight to the depth of human fallenness. I think that I have it harder because I do not have the kind of miraculous visible manifestation of God that Israel had as He led them out of Egypt, through the desert, and into the Promised Land. But their capacity to question God and trust themselves was just like mine is today. And despite all that God had done that they could literally see, they struggled to believe.
Many times I have wished to look for a pillar of cloud or fire to guide me. And all along I have had something greater, the very Spirit of God residing within me guiding me through the clear teaching of the Word of God. Am I any better than these Israelites in the Penteteuch? No. In some ways, I am disbelieving against a greater light! So I realize that when God is chastising Israel, He is clearly calling me to repent as well.
Lord God, You lead me. You are with me. Your presence comforts and convicts. And today I acknowledge that I am not better than my fathers in the faith when I disbelieve or disregard that truth. Thank You for Your clear leadership and care. Your grace extends even beyond my struggles to trust. My faith shifts and sinks, but You abide faithful. Amen
Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God, who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go. Deuteronomy 1:32-33
The human capacity to disbelieve God is strong. The children of Israel, despite the clear Word of God and the visible presence of God among them, struggled to believe God. Now I find that hard to believe! This is an insight to the depth of human fallenness. I think that I have it harder because I do not have the kind of miraculous visible manifestation of God that Israel had as He led them out of Egypt, through the desert, and into the Promised Land. But their capacity to question God and trust themselves was just like mine is today. And despite all that God had done that they could literally see, they struggled to believe.
Many times I have wished to look for a pillar of cloud or fire to guide me. And all along I have had something greater, the very Spirit of God residing within me guiding me through the clear teaching of the Word of God. Am I any better than these Israelites in the Penteteuch? No. In some ways, I am disbelieving against a greater light! So I realize that when God is chastising Israel, He is clearly calling me to repent as well.
Lord God, You lead me. You are with me. Your presence comforts and convicts. And today I acknowledge that I am not better than my fathers in the faith when I disbelieve or disregard that truth. Thank You for Your clear leadership and care. Your grace extends even beyond my struggles to trust. My faith shifts and sinks, but You abide faithful. Amen
