Not Our Way, But God’s Way

For today’s meditation we will read Deuteronomy 1:21, “See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'” (ESV)

These were the words of Moses to the people of Israel. When the Lord delivered the Israelites from their cruel bondage to slavery in Egypt, they headed towards the Promised Land which was now right before their eyes. Moses commanded the people to move forward with courage to possess the land that God had promised them. However, the people of Israel were a wearied and disheartened lot who doubted as to what the Promised Land would look like.

The way the Israelites chose

This was the response of the Israelites to Moses as found in Deuteronomy 1:22, “Then all of you came near me and said, 'Let us send men before us that they may explore the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we shall come.'” (ESV)

Though Moses encouraged the Israelites to move on without fear to possess the land, the people wanted to inspect the land. Let me highlight how the word ‘us’ stands out in the above mentioned verse as the people were more concerned about what was in it for them.

Though the Lord had led them out of perilous situations, and taken care of all their needs, the Israelites were still hesitant to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. While Moses kept the promise of God at the forefront the people kept themselves ahead of everything else. To Moses it was all about God, whereas for the people it was all about themselves.

Often when we begin our journey of faith with the Lord our trust is initially on the Lord alone. However as we grow in this spiritual journey we begin to trust in our own strength instead of depending on God.

When the people insisted this was the response of God to Moses though it was not really God’s desire to do so.

We read in Numbers 13:1-2, The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, everyone a chief among them." (ESV)

The Lord told Moses to send men to spy on the land though it was not his will. Those who began this journey trusting in the Lord were all of a sudden tempted to trust in their own wisdom and strength. Notice how God did not stop them from doing what they wanted.

Whenever we want to do things according to our own desires, and want to depend on our own understanding, the Lord will stand aside to allow us to do what we want to do. Often when we progress in some areas we begin to think that we can achieve everything on our own.The fact is that whenever we want to do things according to our own idea, and go our own way, the Lord permits for that to happen.

We will look at some examples in the bible to understand this better.

The way Balaam chose

We read in Numbers 22:12, But God said to Balaam, "Don't go with them! Don't curse these people, because they are blessed." (GW)

Balak, the King of Moab sent his men to the Prophet Balaam, and requested that he should curse the people of Israel, as the King of Moab feared that the progress of the Israelites would make him have to relinquish his kingdom. When Balaam enquired of the Lord, the instruction of the Lord was clear that he should not go along with the men sent by Balak, or curse the people of Israel as they were blessed by the Lord.

There are many clear instructions in the Word of God as to the things that God does not want us to do, and it would be good for us to do as God commands us to.

Balaam was double-minded, but told the men who came from the King of Moab that God did not permit him to accompany them. Nonetheless, when men of greater honor from Balak approached Balaam the second time with the same request, and tempted him that the King would honor him greatly, Balaam was confused and distracted.

We read in Numbers 22:19, Now, why don't you stay here tonight, as the others did, and I'll find out what else the LORD may have to tell me." (GW)

Balaam made the men stay overnight so that he could enquire of God, and could try to convince God to allow him to go with them.