Things often don’t go according to plan. With good accounts and companies in a position to purchase, it seemed like it would be a good year of sales for my husband Steve. A big deal was set to close in the first quarter and other opportunities were in the pipeline. That’s when things started to happen.
The first quarter purchase was postponed because the company was going through a major reorganization. Deals with other clients dropped off due to unforeseen budget cuts. What started out as a year full of potential was quickly losing its promise.
A great track record
In spite of the disappointments, Steve has continued to work hard and remain hopeful. He’s seen the Lord change impossible situations into fantastic opportunities in the past. God’s track record is perfect – He will provide.
The children of Israel experienced the extraordinary provision of the Lord when they were set free from Egyptian bondage. He guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He provided water for them and food in the form of manna. Their clothes and shoes didn’t wear out the entire time they were on their journey. Now that’s a miracle!
Choosing to forget
Unfortunately, they didn’t remember God’s track record when they approached the Promised Land. The Lord had brought them out of the land of Egypt to inhabit a land flowing with milk and honey. He wanted them to serve Him and be an example to the heathen nations surrounding them.
As they stood poised on the threshold of Canaan they traded in their faith in God for fear offered by the enemy. It wasn’t a wise exchange. Instead of trusting the Lord to help them drive out the nations that lived in the land, the Israelites resorted to complaining:
Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return into Egypt? Numbers 14:2b-3
A costly choice
Their unbelief was costly. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until all those that had disobeyed the Lord had died in the wilderness.
When things that appear to be obstacles stand in our way, we have a choice to make. We can continue moving forward, remembering how the Lord has provided in the past – confident that He will do so again. Or we can allow fear to stop us in our tracks, forgetting all of God’s goodness – and suffer the consequences.
Take a long look at God’s track record and move forward in faith!
Your turn
Are you quick to forget all God has done for you? What step will you take to reaffirm your faith in Him and continue on the path in front of you?
