Way back when, God reminded the people of Israel about their journey through the wilderness of Sinai on their way to their Promised Land. Their rebellion made a several-day trip last 40 years.

When God told them they would wander all that time, it was delivered as punishment. Like a good parent, though, the discipline had a secondary motive. Not to crush them, but to reveal them.

God required obedience to Him. No grabbing up extra manna, just get enough for one day. Those who disobeyed had to live with the stench of rotted manna, and STILL had to go out and collect some for each day.

Are you on a circuitous 40-year march toward your Promised Land? Can you recall a time when God walked you up to the border and showed it to you only to see you shrink back in fear, refusing to enter in? How many times have you picked up more manna than you were supposed to?

God still requires obedience to Him. Day in. Day out. In every circumstance. He says our obedience is better than all our sacrifices.

Friend, we all disobey Him in one way or another, but we don’t have to remain there. We can learn from the consequences of our poor choices and make the changes necessary to put us back on the right course, in right standing with Him. All it takes is confession – agreeing with God that we’re putting self, our fears and desires, before God. Then repentance – turning away from putting self before God and turning to Him.

That’s when the Almighty steps in and forgives our sins and cleans us up of all the unrighteousness.

Where do you want to be? On the trail longer or in the place of abundance that God has designed for you? Do you want to continue in the stress and fear, or rest where He set up for you to live?

Choose Well

Coffee, Bible, Journal.

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