...So many times in my life I choose the easy way.
I want things to go smooth, I don't want any difficulty.
And many times, I base my success on whether or not my life is free from hardships.
that's not biblical.
In church, we are studying Genesis and just got to the story of Joseph. If you have been in church any length of time, you know the story. But a fresh word came to me through the message this week as we studied Joseph's time in Potiphar's house.
Several times in chapter 39, the Word says that Joseph was successful. Really? He was a slave. His family had sold him into slavery. He owned nothing. His master's wife tried to seduce him and when he ran, she lied and had him thrown in prison...yet it says even there he was successful.
I think my definition of success is scewed. My quiet time reinforced this today. May I share it with you?
Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said. Joshua 14:12
Caleb's faith in God never wavered though everyone around him doubted. God convinced Caleb that the children of Israel should enter the Promised Land, but the people were intimidated by giants and fortified cities. Their disbelief forced Caleb to wait forty years in the wilderness before he finally entered the Promised Land. Even after all those years, Caleb was as confident as ever in God's power.
When God was dividing the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains Caleb asked for a mountain The Israelites had driven their enemies into the mountains, where they had built fortresses. This did not intimidate Caleb--he asked for a challenge!! He did not trust in his own strength but in God's presence. Caleb longed to see God work in power, and he knew he would be less likely to rely on God if he dwelt in the easy places. He chose the situation in which he would have to trust in God. Caleb knew his inheritance fro God was on the mountain He refused to allow the difficulty of gaining it to stop him from enjoying all the God had promised him.
If you always choose the easy way, asking for the peaceful valleys, you will never see God's power displayed to enable you to take the mountain Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.
Today, I am asking God to help me not shy away from the mountains. But to have Caleb's confidence and wisdom and seek them out.
And I am working to change my view of success.
I want things to go smooth, I don't want any difficulty.
And many times, I base my success on whether or not my life is free from hardships.
that's not biblical.
In church, we are studying Genesis and just got to the story of Joseph. If you have been in church any length of time, you know the story. But a fresh word came to me through the message this week as we studied Joseph's time in Potiphar's house.
Several times in chapter 39, the Word says that Joseph was successful. Really? He was a slave. His family had sold him into slavery. He owned nothing. His master's wife tried to seduce him and when he ran, she lied and had him thrown in prison...yet it says even there he was successful.
I think my definition of success is scewed. My quiet time reinforced this today. May I share it with you?
Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said. Joshua 14:12
Caleb's faith in God never wavered though everyone around him doubted. God convinced Caleb that the children of Israel should enter the Promised Land, but the people were intimidated by giants and fortified cities. Their disbelief forced Caleb to wait forty years in the wilderness before he finally entered the Promised Land. Even after all those years, Caleb was as confident as ever in God's power.
When God was dividing the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains Caleb asked for a mountain The Israelites had driven their enemies into the mountains, where they had built fortresses. This did not intimidate Caleb--he asked for a challenge!! He did not trust in his own strength but in God's presence. Caleb longed to see God work in power, and he knew he would be less likely to rely on God if he dwelt in the easy places. He chose the situation in which he would have to trust in God. Caleb knew his inheritance fro God was on the mountain He refused to allow the difficulty of gaining it to stop him from enjoying all the God had promised him.
If you always choose the easy way, asking for the peaceful valleys, you will never see God's power displayed to enable you to take the mountain Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.
Today, I am asking God to help me not shy away from the mountains. But to have Caleb's confidence and wisdom and seek them out.
And I am working to change my view of success.
13 comments:
I like that Sara. It's so great to know we have God to rely on while on those mountains, whether we choose to be there or not.
"And many times, I base my success on whether or not my life is free from hardships."....what a humble post Sara. I learned late in our "winter season" that God has SO much to teach and show us in those rough times. We shouldn't hunker our head down and wait for it to be over. But to look for Him! great post.
VERY GOOD! i sure needed to hear that.
I needed to hear this too. Hope you're well.
:-) Susan
Thanks so much for sharing this! I needed to hear it... you are right... we do have a scewed view of success...
I need to work on that!
Thanks again!
asking for moments is terrifying and exhilarating, me thinks. And believing that hope comes through mountains and shapes us is success. Great post, lady.
Great post Sara :)
Is that from the Experiencing God Devotional? I LOVE that devotional. The Caleb one is one I have always remembered. Such an awesome perspective.
Love this post, Sara - really what I needed to read today. Thank you for being faithful to glorify God by sharing what you learned.....
That's so hard for me to do, because I'm very fearful of tests. Good post!
BTW, where in Arkansas are you?? I didn't realize you were so close!!
Wow, great post!
Stop by my book review blog, Read, Review, Repeat for a chance to win one of Madeleine Wickham's latest hardcover books!
http://mimisyearinbooks.blogspot.com/2010/07/desirable-residence-madeleine-wickham.html
Sara, I too, need to change my perspective and ASK for the mountains...it is a scary thought...yet why do I think that when God will be with me all the way? I want to be successful in the way that God wants me to be.
Thank you friend for this...I will chew on it for days.
XOXO
Ah- I'm going to go back and read this for the third time. God has been talking to me in the last few months about Joseph. And Caleb. And Joshua. Rich, rich, rich post. Thank you.
My theme for the last week is "failure is just feedback".
Love you, friend.
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