Obeidence

² It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. Deuteronomy -1:3

Today, we are used to of instant gratification. Information is available as fast as you can type on your phone. Even our food is ready in a minute. We are not accustomed off waiting 11 minutes, let alone 11 days. It impossible for us to imagine a journey taking 40 years, which was supposed to take 11 days. Kadesh Barnea is a border to enter into the promised land, and it should have taken Israelites 11 days yet in very next verse we read, it was the 40th year.
What happened, and what can we learn from it? Simply Israelites did not trust God. It is impossible to please God without faith & obedience, and they failed on both account. Like Israelites, so many times, our focus is on giants ( strength of our enemies) or difficulties of the situation as well as our weaknesses and shortcomings instead of just trusting God and His promises. Many of us are praying and are frustrated because we are praying yet trying to achieve on our own and not trusting God, nor are we obeying him. We are wandering in the wilderness, and OUR JOURNEY is taking longer than it should because of a lack of faith and not trusting God’s promises. Many people believe God of the Old Testament is angry and Jealous and quick to punish, and God of the New Testament is all about LOVE, but that could not be far from the truth. God of OT & NT is the same God. Look at His Love and Patience, despite their disobedience; He still fulfilled his promises. God did not say these ungrateful people don’t deserve to go in the promised land, but instead, God was patient with them, and He gave them what he had promised. He fed them and met all of their needs for 40 years. Do you feel you have disobeyed God? Don’t worry; He is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you. Why stay in the wilderness? Why not just TRUST God and walk in faith. He is reliable, and He will fulfill all the promises in your life.
Also, for those of you who have not accepted Christ, It took one of my pastor’s mom 30 years to come to Jesus. He was witnessing to her, sharing with her and of course praying. Was it God’s plan for Israelites to wander in the wilderness for 40 years? NO. In the same manner, Mom was being ministered to for 30 years, and God wanted her to be in the promised land, but it took 30 years for her to trust God. How long is God calling you? Are you ready to trust Him and make Him your savior? 40 is the number of generation in the Bible. Don’t let generation be lost because of a lack of faith. Oh God, I pray, please help us to walk in FAITH & OBEDIENCE. Amen.