Keep Out, God!

When we worry, fret, or complain about a difficult situation in our life, picture yourself holding up a big yellow sign that shouts, "Keep Out, God!"  Worrying prevents God from stepping into your hardship and working mightily, miraculously and victoriously on your behalf. 

This week's blog is a continuation from last week's, "Bitterness of Soul" post where I wrote about faithful, consistent prayer being the action we should take in the face of a trial, hardship, insult, or persecution. 

Today, I want to add that we must reinforce our action of prayer with our action of trust.  The verb "trust" means to confidently expect, to anticipate or hope.  When you pray, you must confidently expect God to work on your behalf, anticipate victory, and put your hope in the One who is more than able.

I stress that it's an action because it requires an act and choice of our mind and heart.  Often we feel like praying and trusting is passive, but in fact, it is the most proactive step we can take to unleash the power and promises of God over the situation you are facing.

If you want to do a life-changing word study, look up "trust" in a concordance or on biblegateway.com.  For today, we'll look at the famous Israelites.  We can learn so many lessons from them! 

God speaks to them in Deut. 1:32, saying, "In spite of this (God's flawless record of faithfulness, love, protection, and provision for them), you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey."  The consequence for their distrust was this, "Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fore fathers."

But, there was one note worthy exception, "...except Caleb.  He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followd the LORD wholeheartedly."

The Israelites were fearful of the situation before them.  It looked hopeless.  Even though God promised He would go before them, fight for them and make them victorious (just as He has promised you), they chose not to trust.  Their worry stood in the way of God acting mightily on their behalf.  Therefore, they lost out on blessing and victory.

But Caleb followed and trusted the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength...and mouth, I might add!  Because he trusted, Caleb inherited all God's promised blessings and victory. 

Are you facing a hopeless situation today?  Are you worried about your kid's future, your marriage, a relationship at work or with a friend?  Bills?  A job?  Pray about what steps God wants you to take in that situation.  Then leave the rest up to Him!  There are some things you have absolutely no control over.  That's what you need to totally submit to God in prayer and trust Him. We say we trust Him, but do we really?

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.  Proverbs 3:5

Take down your "Keep Out, God" sign, then get out of His way!  Choose not to worry but pray and trust with all your heart.  God is 100%  trustworthy, my sweet friend.  Even when you don't see or feel Him working, just know that He is and he will bring you out a victor, stronger than you ever were before.  Be encouraged today.  God is working!