DAY 199- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE WILDERNESS

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestined according to the purpose of Him
who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
Ephesians 1:11

Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 9

Being prepared for glory. Ask any boxer, any Olympian athlete – for that matter – any pregnant woman. Being prepared for something bigger, better, greater – is tough. 

If you examine what happened between the time Israel was delivered from Egypt and the time that they arrived at the border of the promised land – the first time – you will notice that God was seeking to establish a relationship with them. Hence, the delays. He could have just whisked them there in 11 days, but that wasn’t the point. He wanted a people, like Him, that He could enjoy and live with, in the promised land. 

The fact that they refused to go into the land when they got there, is not a reflection on whether God had given them the land or not, but whether they believed Him. It was a moment of crisis. 

It’s a moment of crisis that you will face too. Maybe many times over, as we saw yesterday. 

How can I liken the promised land to your life? It represents, not your initial salvation, but the fullness of your inheritance in Christ. Everything God has for you here on Earth – and afterwards, in the new heavens and the new earth. 

To enter this inheritance, you will face your moments of personal crisis. Is any of this even real? If Christ is with me, how come I don’t feel it? Obeying the Lord in this matter is really, really hurting me bad – I’m weeping every night, I’m miserable every day – was it really Him who spoke this to me? I can’t take it, I’m going to find my own way out of this situation. 

The promised land is the fullness of my relationship and experience of Christ – I refuse to give that away. The enemy is within me – the only way to overcome is to continue to follow and obey the Holy Spirit. Are you with me? 

Prayer

Prepare me Lord. I say yes. 

For the family

There was an iconic movie series in the 80’s called The Pink Panther. In it, Inspector Clueso uses his servant to attack him unexpectedly to keep him ready and alert for anything. Show the video clip to the kids and discuss how the testing of our faith comes unexpectedly, just like this. 

Watch this video together, then discuss