Is God taking too long?

Have you ever felt like God’s plan for you, his prosperous plan, his plan of welfare and peace, just takes too long? Are you going to admit it? I have… Guess what? So did the Israelites! Yep! Way back in the book of Numbers.

So… God had lead Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt. They had been in the desert for awhile and were getting restless. God told them that he had a land for them, he picked it out. All God wanted was a little bit of faith demonstrated from the Israelites.

He asked Moses to send some men out to scout, explore the land. Now these scouts explored for 40 days. They came back and said the land flowed with milk and honey. They even brought back some of the fruit they had found growing. But…they said that the people there were strong and large. There was no way the Israelites could defeat them. Of course when everyone heard the reports, they grumbled and complained about where they were. Why had God brought them to the desert to die?

Have you ever grumbled and complained about what God brought you out of? Thought you would have done things differently? (because your way was working for you) Let fear keep you from doing what God had set up for you? Again, are you going to admit it?

Well, God’s way was questioned. There were two scouts, however, that tried to calm the people. They were Caleb and Joshua. They reported to the Israelites that “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (Numbers 14:8-9) The people then turned on the two brave scouts but God stepped in. He was not happy at all. He punished the Israelites by telling them that they would not get to enjoy the Promised Land. Their children would be allowed because they would be wandering the desert for 40 years. These people still didn’t get it. They tried to defeat the Amalekites and Canaanites without God. They were beaten.

Have you ever tried to get to your “Promised land” before you were ready? Prepared? Without God? Aren’t we stubborn?

Later in the book of Joshua, the Israelites have finally leaned on God. The last of the men from the slave days of Egypt had died and their children were about to enter Canaan, God’s land promised to be given to them. There was however, an obstacle… the Jordan River.

Joshua was leading the Israelites now. God gave him a pep talk. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5-9) And then God gave his instructions on how and what the people were to do to get across the Jordan. They didn’t have to build anything. They didn’t have to do anything except be ready-be prepared. God told them that when the Ark of God carried by the Levitical priests got near the water to be ready to follow it. God took care of the rest!!! He made the rushing water pile up. He made the ground dry so they could walk across. He did it because he knew the plan he had for them. The whole nation walked across the Jordan riverbed, didn’t get wet, didn’t get covered in mud, didn’t get stuck in the middle. They believed in God and his plan and walked across.

Now you and me- God’s plan is not messy. It is not hard. The Bible says , “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) and “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ( Romans 12:2)

God knows the plan better than we do. He designed it. We just have to be as faithful as he is and follow it.

-Susie Hickman