The Promise Land

Genesis 12:1-5, Numbers 13:25-27, James 2:14-26

Abraham received this word from God about the Promised Land (Canaan). As you read the passage, God uses a lot of “I will” statements. God doesn’t let Abraham waiver in trust in what He has promised. This stays consistent over time. It was so consistent that even Moses was reminded of what was to come when leading Israel to the promised land.

When Moses and the Israelites draw closer to the Promised Land, they send in a couple of spies to see what it’s like and who is there. What they found was beautiful! This land was fruitful, ‘flowing with milk and honey.’ Instead of entering the land as God commanded them, they waived and retreated. A journey that was supposed to take only two weeks by foot (from Mount Sinai) took FORTY YEARS. God didn’t prolong their journey, they did that to themselves, and God allowed it. God is faithful in His timing and sovereignty in your story; it may take longer to get to where God is leading us. So maybe you find yourself in a life season where things are taking longer than they should. Or you wonder when God will move or change your circumstances. James talks a lot about faith and works, how faith without works is dead. God is worthy of our faith but also our works in faith. Believing that we don’t see it doesn’t mean He isn’t moving or working.

The Israelites struggled with this throughout their time in the wilderness in seeking the Promised Land, so how do you rely on God’s promises to sustain you amid demanded faith? Is it easy for you to waiver? In our stories, what can we surrender to God?