November 19, 2022

Deuteronomy 1: 42 (NIV)

But the Lord said to me, “Tell them, ‘Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.’”

We need to release our own agendas rather than try to confirm them.*

In Moses’ recap of the Israelites’ 40 years in the desert, he recalls: 

• God said to them, “Here is the land I’ve given you.” They said, “Let’s send spies to check it out.” (FEAR) 
• They grumbled about danger and hardship and refused to take the land. (DID NOT TRUST GOD) 
• They repented then decided – without consulting God – to go take the land. God clearly told them not to go but they went anyway – and they were defeated. (DISOBEYED GOD) 

Their story of shame continues, but you get the picture. Is it not just like us to be fearful, untrusting, and disobedient? We allow fear to prevent us from moving forward in God’s promises; we don’t trust God to keep his word; and we neglect to consult him before taking action. As someone has observed: “Often, we take our own initiatives and seek the Spirit’s empowering of them instead of waiting on him to move.”* Ever heard the saying about asking for forgiveness instead of permission? 

Perhaps we feel that we are at a disadvantage because we don’t hear God speaking directly to us – or through a spokesman like Moses. I’ll grant that it would be easier to discern God’s will if I clearly heard his voice addressing me. But how about our advantages: God’s word, and his Holy Spirit. Are you fearful, not trusting God, and hoping to avoid a case of disobedience? Here are some steps to help you overcome our dilemma: 

1. Seek God’s guidance. (PRAY) 

2. Consult his word. (READ) 

3. Allow his Spirit to work. (WAIT) 

If you aren’t getting a clear response, perhaps God is waiting for you to decide what you want to do. For the Israelites, there was one right choice, but most of us are not called by God to one path and one path only. We have many choices – not between right and wrong but between right and right – and maybe even multiple right choices. Where we work, where we live, who we marry, when to make a change – these are important decisions but your happily-ever-after comes from walking according to God’s will to conform to his likeness. 

If you want God to bless your march into battle, make sure it’s a godly battle. Be open to the Spirit’s leading. Make sure you are not guilty of asking God to bless a decision you have already made.

If the decisions we make are in accordance with God’s moral standards, we are free to do whatever we want to do.*