I Can't but God Can

(Reading from Deut 8-9)

God led the people through the desert for perhaps the same reason He causes us to go through hard times - "to humble you and to test you in order to know what is in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. "

He humbles us by causing hunger and supplying our needs "to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the m0uth of the Lord."

He'll take care of our needs just as He did for them - in the midst of troubles. He wants us to know that His love will not only provide for us, but will also discipline us.

He only asks that we observe His commands, walk in His ways, and revere Him, "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land." (Deut 8:6).

And when we are blessed, we must remember to praise Him for what He has given us. If we don't, then we will become proud and forget all that He has brought us through! He led us through our problems to humble us and to test us so that in the end it might go well with us. We can never allow ourselves to take credit for the blessings from Him. If we do, we will be destroyed. (Deut 8:19).

God goes ahead of us as a consuming fire against our enemies, not because of our righteousness, but because of their wickedness. He will keep His promises because of who He is, not because we deserve it.

Following God's Guidance

God is guiding us even when we are not aware of it, even when I am complaining because what I am going through is not part of our plan!

The wilderness, (our rough time), is the way to the promised land, (our fulfilled dreams.) It may even be the short cut there!

We can shorten the wilderness experience if we take God at His word, expect His guidance, and move out confidently to follow His guidance by faith.

There are many promises that are true, despite our circumstances. These are only a few:

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

John 10:27-28

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Isa 30:20-21

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

We can expect His personal guidance - that should be a relief from fear!

1 Chron 28:8

"So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

John 12:16

At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

We can know that He will lead us to a good destination, and that should instill patience and endurance.

Jer 29:11 - 13

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

It's an act of will to turn our life and all our problems over to Him, because He has given us free will. Our job is to trust . We can chose to adopt the theme, "I can't but God can" concerning any difficulty we face!