Look What God Can Do

"I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run." Exodus 23:27

The title of the current women's study in the Old Testament Book of Joshua is "Living Fearlessly in the Land of Promise." The lessons gleaned from Joshua are so rich. In Chapter two we have Rahab's declaration to the spies...

"I know the LORD has given you this land,' she told them. 'We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror." Joshua 2:9

Indeed, this is the reassuring report the spies gave to Joshua--"...for all the people in the land are terrified of us."

Approximately forty years earlier Moses sent in spies and what was their report?

"We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are!...The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge." Numbers 13:31-32

What a difference four decades made. Those with the slave mentality learned in Egypt said, "we can't." The surviving generation now said, "We can."

Why? The answer is simple. God. His powerful intervention on behalf of His chosen people had a devastating effect on the inhabitants currently living in the land of promise. Their hearts melted at the rumored approach of the ones whose God is the LORD.

The people who "couldn't" followed a God who "could."

It makes me consider my own walk. I ask myself, "Is there a promise of God that I have difficulty believing--acting upon? If so, what is hindering me? Unbelief...
     because I can't see change?
     because I don't like the change I see?
     because I feel unworthy?

The power of a covenant is in the One making it, not in the one receiving it. It has never been about us. Our ability. Our worthiness. It is always about Him, His Holiness, His power, His Grace and the mercy of His Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

HE parted the Red Sea. HE provided manna in the wilderness. HE kept their clothes and shoes from wearing out. HE created the land He promised. HE put terror in the hearts of those standing in the path of His deliverance.

Many times God has chosen to shroud His power to intervene until faith was evidenced by obedience.
     The Red Sea did not part until Moses stretched forth his staff.
     The waters of the Jordan were not held back until the priests' feet entered the water.
     Naaman was not healed of leprosy until he obeyed Elisha's command to bathe in the Jordan.
     God delivered Jehoshaphat and the people when they didn't fear and stood still.
     A blind man followed Jesus' leading out of the town and received healing of his sight.

What do we need? What promise are we waiting on? What keeps us from receiving? Do we doubt His power? 

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27

Or, do we doubt His power and promises are for us?

"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

May we sincerely seek Him and believe that He has put His fear in the hearts of those who oppose His work in and through us. He keeps His word.

by Marilyn Allison