March 21, 2016

"So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:43-45

God's people made to the Promised Land because they allowed God's promises to define their reality. When God defined their reality it became clear to them what was the right thing to do!

That's the second fact about God's promises! God's promises define what is right!

When you are in Egypt under bondage and oppression it seems to make sense that you should do what the Egyptians do! Why not go along to get along? Why borrow more grief by going against their values?

You won't escape from Egypt by surrendering to them. They don't want to get along with you you, they want to dominate you! 

You won't escape from Egypt by compromising with them. They don't want you to be like them, they want you to serve them.

The only way you can escape from Egypt is by defeating them and destroying them. That means doing what is right by trusting God and His righteousness! That is what brought them out of Egypt!

The wilderness can be confusing at times. Caught between Egypt and Canaan can cause you to long for Egypt and doubt Canaan. Sometimes questioning God can seem right. Sometimes accusing God can seem right. Sometimes even constructing an idol can seem like the right thing to do in the wilderness.

But God led them in the right way through the cloud and the pillar of fire. He gave them Moses and the Law to help lead them in the right way. And occasionally, He had to punish them to correct them and clarify the right way.

In Canaan they had to surrender to God's righteousness and walk in it so they could enjoy the Glory Days God promised them.

When you are overwhelmed by the crush of Egypt or confused in the wilderness wanderings wrong can seem right unless you cling to God's promises! His promises are true and define what is right for you to do.

Trust in what HE SAYS, not in what YOU SEE!

One of God's promises is to lead you in the right paths through the light of His Word!