MARCH 5

Just as Satan spoke through the spies to keep Israel from their divine destiny, he will speak to you through other people–perhaps even your closest friends and loved ones–to attempt to discourage you from fulfilling your vision. They may say things like…

-It can’t be done.

-Are you sure God told you to do that?

-This situation is hopeless.

-You might as well give up.

Listening to such voices will cause you to rebel and reject the voice of God, just as the children of Israel did.

After all God had done for Israel–the miracles He had performed in delivering them out of the hands of the Egyptians, guiding them, feeding and providing for them during their journey–it is hard to understand why they listened to the negative reports instead of believing God’s promises.

We wonder how Israel could possibly doubt God, yet there are many believers today who react the same way. God has given us a written record of the miracles He has done in behalf of His people down through the centuries. We have personally experienced His love, provision, and healing power. But when we face circumstances in our lives that require us to act in obedience to His Word, our hearts are sometimes filled with doubt, unbelief, and rebellion just like the children of Israel. Paul warned:

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from

the living God…“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12,15-19, NIV)

The word “rest”, as used by Paul, is not referring to a place of physical rest from labor or a place where you are free from the problems and cares of this life. It is referring to that powerful spiritual dimension where one takes full possession of their inheritance. It is a place of peace and security–freedom from fear, worry, and stress–even in the midst of great adversity. It is a place of blessing and provision, a place of power and victory over the enemy, a place of joy and contentment, a place where you cease from striving to walk in your own strength and you are walking in God’s strength. This spiritual place of rest stands before you today. Refuse the voices of disbelief. Do not speak words of doubt.  Enter into God’s rest by faith.