A Gift?
In Numbers 13:2 we see that God had brought the Israelites to the
edge of the Promised Land. He was giving it to them.
But His gift would require something of the recipients.
Sometimes we mistakenly assume that when God gives us
something, all we have to do is receive and He’ll do the rest.
For example, the gift of salvation is free for the asking.
But we have a responsibility of actually living it out.
We can’t expect God to magically fill our minds with His Word.
We have to read it, absorb it, memorize it and live it.
This is what it means to “work out” our salvation.
“. . . continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling”
(Philippians 2:12 NIV).
Let’s look at that same verse in a different version:
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation,
obeying God with deep reverence and fear”
(Philippians 2:12 NLT).
The Israelites got the gift of the Promised Land,
but it wasn’t without having to battle giants,
clear the land,
tear down walls
and do a lot of reconstruction.
What might God want to be giving you,
but you’ve resisted because there’s work involved?
Thoughts?
I’d sure appreciate your prayers this weekend as I speak
at the Virginia District Ladies retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Thank you Susie for your God given wisdom as you share this scripture. I pray for
you as you represent our Lord to some special ladies. May they receive God’s message as it relates to their lives.
Susie, this message is so important today when everybody just likes everything delivered to them Amazon style. These life lessons are what I really love about the Old Testament teaching. Thank you for deep digging and for being such an important messenger!!
Yes in prayer for you Susie and in prayer for ladies to be prepared to hear His word thru you.