Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:
So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.
– Numbers 13:32
Be careful whose report you listen to. Get this. The people had been waiting for this moment from the time they left Egypt. They had been complaining about how much they hated the wilderness. You would think the very last thing they’d want to do is stay in the wilderness any longer. But then the spies return and share “the facts”. Even if something is true, it still is evaluated through our own perspectives. The spies came to the conclusion that they should run away from this new land because there were giants and fortified cities. Caleb believed God would give them the land. In the end, the 10 scared spies and they turned a group of people who had been waiting for this moment into a fearful mob running away from God’s plan for their lives.
The voices you listen to can do the same to you! They can either encourage you to trust God and step into His plan for your life or they can rob you of your joy, stop you from pursuing God’s plan, and cause you to harm relationships with people who love you. Be careful who you listen to! If the voices you’re hearing doubt the power of God, they aren’t from God. It’s wise to seek confirmation before stepping out in faith, and that council may challenge you to make that it’s God’s plan and God’s timing. But Godly council will never doubt God’s ability or His willingness to use you. Find some Godly friends who will encourage you in the face giants. How can you tell the difference? Here’s a clue. The ones always complaining about their current circumstances won’t be willing to go into battle with you against walled cities, no matter how big the grapes are!
What voices are you listening to that you shouldn’t? What steps of faith have you been shying away from?