Hebrews 3:15-19, “As it has just been said: “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”
I remember the old hymn often sung when I was a child: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” It was about the burdens that we carry. Are you carrying a burden currently? We all live with adversity of one kind or another every day. Proverbs 27:1 states, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” None of us can tell what is going to happen throughout our day, but if we have a lack of trust in God, we will be kept from receiving God’s best for us.
The Israelites failed to trust in God for His protection and did not believe He would help them conquer the giants in the land (Numbers 14:15). So, God had them wander in the desert for 40 years, and they failed to enter the promised land and were victims of their own unbelief. Their unbelief came before their disobedience. “Israel’s great failure was to persevere in faith. After crossing much of the wilderness trusting in God, and after seeing so many reasons to trust in Him, they end up falling short – because they did not persevere in faith in God and His promise.” Blue Letter Bible, David Guzik. These people walked through the Red Sea, escaped the Egyptians, and witnessed many other miracles God performed, yet they still grumbled and complained against God. They lacked trusting God in their difficult circumstances. Disobedience stems from disbelief. At times I am equally guilty. I grumble and complain and then feel guilty for allowing a frustration to get me down. So, I then recount my blessings as Ecclesiastes 7:13 declares, “Consider what God has done. Who can straighten what he has made crooked?”
How one finishes is more important than how we start – think about that. Genuine faith and trust in God will give you endurance as you persevere in receiving God’s best. Lack of trust keeps one from receiving God’s best. Trust in Him. Enter into God’s best for you due to your steadfast and faithful trust in God. Yes, it takes endurance and perseverance. Enter into His rest.
Psalm 95:7-8, Hebrews 3:15, and Hebrews 4:7 warn us, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” You are in the presence of God. Give Him praise! Take time to hear what He wants to say to you in your needful situation.
Put Psalm 20:7-8 as a prayer to give you hope, “Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer [me] him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but [I] we will trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
I still remember receiving devastating news from an envelope in our mailbox addressed to me, a number of years ago. The contents were devastating and threatening. This was in the intense adversity column and involved emotional pain. I could not see or feel God’s presence in this situation. Yet God had His sovereign plan in it all and did work it out for our good (Romans 8:28) as the turmoil lasted for five long months, before the outcome transpired.
Trust God with confidence today. Ask to hear His voice as you search the Scriptures. Do you need God to deliver you from something? Enter into His rest with obedience in your faith, and perseverance. He will provide. The urgency of today is hearing God’s voice speak to you, through His Word, to meet your need(s). He has your best in mind. God is in control, so trust Him to help you conquer your current giant.
Listen to Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham – Love of God (Music Video). Newly released this week.