Trust God

Trust God Some trust money, position and people’s opinion of them. Others trust their parents, teachers, friends or themselves. Note that the Bible teaches that blessed are those who trust in the Lord. For He knows our past, present and future. Most important, He loves and wants the best for us. Prayer: Lord Jesus, let us be open about our faith in you and be proud to acknowledge you before others. Let us not be afraid of what others think of us. And even as we acknowledge you before man, use this to touch people's lives so that they too come to believe in you and taste your goodness.

Sometimes God Delays Your Dream by Design

Dreams are never fulfilled immediately. There’s always a waiting period. Abraham had the dream of being the father of a great nation, and he waited 90 years before he was even told he was going to have a son. Noah had the dream of building an ark, but it took him 120 years. The Israelites were brought out of Egypt and then wandered around for 40 years before they went into the Promised Land, yet it’s only about a two-week walk between Egypt and Israel.

Just like the Israelites, sometimes we are delayed by design. God uses delays to prepare us. Every dream has difficulties. God uses delays to get us ready for those difficulties. God knew that if the Israelites went to war unprepared, they wouldn’t be able to handle it, so he knew he needed that time to prepare them for what was ahead.

God also uses delays to test us. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 8:2, “Do you remember how the Lord led you through the wilderness for all those forty years, humbling you and testing you to find out how you would respond, and whether or not you would really obey him?” (TLB)

So when your dream is delayed, how should you respond?

Don’t fear!

This is the first mistake the Israelites made. Deuteronomy 1:28 says, “Why should we go there? We are afraid. The men we sent tell us that the people there are stronger and taller than we are” (GNT). The Israelites had enough faith to move out of Egypt, but they didn’t have enough faith to move into the Promised Land. They were afraid.

The problem with fear is that it keeps you in the wilderness. It prolongs the delay. Many of your dreams have never been fulfilled, not because of God but because of you, because you wouldn’t step out in faith.

The antidote to fear is to focus on God’s presence. Realize that God is with you. When you’re afraid to go after the dream God has given you, you need to focus on God’s presence. He says, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10a TLB). He’s with you now, he always has been, and he always will be.

Some of you are in the delay phase right now. You’ve been praying about something, and it hasn’t happened yet. You may start to think that God has forgotten you.

God has not forgotten you! It is a delay by design. God knows what you’re going through. He wants to build your character, and he wants you to learn to trust in him. You can count on him for his help. Don’t fear.

Day 10

CONGRATULATIONS

[Scheduled Reading: Deuteronomy 16-34]

Today, I just want to say... Congratulations!

You’re at Day 10 .

After today’s reading you’ll be through what’s called the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible (and what the Jews call the Torah.)

In ten more days, you’ll be reading in Chronicles. And at Day 30, you’ll be finishing Psalms.

That’s pretty cool isn’t it?! I think so.

I hope you’re having a positive experience in God’s Word.

The next several days will bring some great stories - Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel - and some smoother tracks for reading.