“You can’t know, you can only believe—or not.”
C. S. Lewis
Have you ever gotten totally different reports of the same event? I’m sure if you watch more than one news source or social media, then you have. Who are you to believe?
I attended the Write His Answer Conference at the beginning of August, and Beatrice Bruno asked whose report are you listening to. Are you listening to the world, are you listening to the enemy, or are you listening to God?
Choose Wisely
And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. … And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Numbers 13 27, 30-31
Moses sent the spies to do some reconnaissance of the Promised Land. The reason for sending them was so that they could make a plan of attack. Instead, ten of the twelve reported the land was wonderful but the inhabitants were too strong for them. Two of the men reported we can take the land. Who do you believe?
The ten men who came back with a negative report failed at their mission. Instead of looking at God’s provision of a great land, they looked at the opposition. They took their eyes off of God and focused on the circumstances. It might be understandable if they knew nothing about God’s character and power, but they had seen Him work miracles in Egypt and part the Red Sea. The two who gave a positive report remembered all of this and knew it was God’s plan for them to take the land.
Obey Commandments
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
1 John 3:22
The children of Israel only had to obey God’s commands and take the Promised Land, yet they refused and died in the wilderness. The next generation didn’t make the same mistake. They followed Joshua into battle to take what God had promised them.
What about you? I know that I often get distracted by negative reports or my circumstances and think it’s impossible. Yet, God’s Word tells us that nothing is impossible with God. So, whose report are we going to believe?
Believe God!
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Acts 27:25
If we will take a walk down memory lane, I think the answer is pretty clear. When we remember all of the things God has done in the Bible and in our own lives, we know He can be trusted. It is all a matter of trust. If we trust Him, we will believe Him. To believe means to consider it already done even if we can’t see it yet.
Related Posts:
“Trust”–that’s what it’s all about. We either trust God and believe in His promises or we don’t. I confess to experiencing periods of doubt of God’s love for me, yet He maintained His faithfulness, even when I did not. Thank you for your inspiring message of hope, Linda.