The coming of the year 2015 offers us hope for new beginnings in our lives. We want to move forward with goals and anticipated victories. However, as this fresh year dawns, let us remember the lessons to be learned from the book of Exodus. The trip from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land should have taken the Israelites only a matter of days. However, these sojourners believed the evil report of ten of the twelve spies that they would not be able to conquer the promised land. Because of their unbelief, grumbling, complaining, and disobedience to God's instructions, the Israelites were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. God denied them entrance to their Promised Land of milk and honey. Instead, only their children and the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb, reached the desired land of Canaan.
Our flesh nature quickly turns to fear, complaining, and to rationalizing our disobedience to the Lord. It takes discipline to keep our eyes focused on the Master in the midst of adversity. It takes humility and trust to believe God's Word and His promises for our personal journeys in this life.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJ)
As we daily renew our minds through reading the Bible, praising God, and praying we can make 2015 a year of triumph and achievement. When tempted to complain, lets discipline ourselves to thank and praise God for our blessings and through our trials.
“Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you
who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians (NLT)
who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians (NLT)
When taunted by fear, lets quote God's Word concerning faith. And finally, when enticed to follow our own reasoning, let's instead follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit within us. We can make the New Year a season of peace and joy as we enter in with faithful, grateful, and obedient hearts.
By Cathy Friberg
