"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chron. 16:9).
God is looking for you. That's right. If you'll read the Bible, you'll see that ever since the world began He's been looking for people who by faith and obedience would allow Him to bless them right here on the earth. He's been looking for people who would allow Him to demonstrate His power on their behalf - people whose supernaturally abundant lives would make them a walking advertisement of the mercy and power of God.
For example, look at the children of Israel in the Old Testament. God wanted them to be this kind of people. He prepared a marvelous land for them to enjoy. It was a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8). It was a land of rest and abundance where no enemy could stand before them and no sickness or disease could stay on their bodies (Ex. 23:25).
In fact, as soon as they came out of slavery in Egypt, God wanted them to go to that land. It was a short journey. But they wouldn't go! Instead, they spent 40 years wandering around in the wilderness, getting nowhere.
All this happened thousands of years ago, but do you know what? God hasn't changed at all since then. He still wants to lead His people into a place of blessing and prosperity. The problem is that in many ways His people haven't changed that much either. The same thing that kept the children of Israel out of the Promised Land is keeping most believers out of their personal promised land today. The problem is unbelief.
"But Gloria, that can't apply to me. I believe in God." Israel believed in God too. But when the scouts sent into the Promised Land came back and reported there were giants there, the children of Israel became scared.
If they had believed God, it wouldn't have mattered how big those giants were, they could have marched right in there expecting God to make those giants scatter in every direction. But they didn't believe God!
So often we try to be smart and figure things out instead of just trusting God and doing what He says. And as a result, we end up in disobedience-which always leads to unbelief. But God doesn't ask us to be smart. All He asks us to do is to listen to His Word and obey His voice. Why? Because He knows that if we don't, we'll end up living out our lives on this earth in a wilderness of defeat like that generation of Israelites did.
God is looking for you. Don't let the giants in your life scare you into hiding. Don't let them defeat you. Stand up and let God see you. Let Him know you'll be faithful and obedient. Let Him know you'll trust Him and His Word no matter what the circumstances say or look like. Then worship Him knowing you'll see Him demonstrate His power and faithfulness on your behalf!
Speak the Word: I keep my heart perfect toward God so that He shows Himself strong on my behalf. (2 Chron. 16:9)
For Further Study: Numbers 13:25-33
Daily Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 23-24; 1 Thessalonians 2
Source: Pursuit of His Presence by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
No comments:
Post a Comment