Sometimes problems loom large, don't they? And the more we focus on them, and on how small and incapable we feel before them, the larger they seem to become. I've apologized, but I don't think she's ever going to speak to me again... How are we going to make ends meet this month? I've tried changing so many times, but here I am back at square one!
Another thing about problems? They have this nasty habit of piling up, one after the other. An uncomfortable confrontation. An expensive-sounding noise in the car engine. And top it all off with forgetting your mother's birthday and your toddler's glass of grape juice all over your favorite shirt!
Problems can rise up like high walls, obstructing the road before us. Sometimes they get so big we can see no way through or around them, so we stop. Despair seeps into our hearts. We give up, turn around, and wander aimlessly. We are tempted to forget the Lord our God and His mighty power, His limitless strength, and His enduring love.
After sending a group of twelve spies to scout out the Promised Land, the Israelites found themselves facing their own looming obstacles. "The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky" (Deut. 1:28). The people were quick to forget all the Lord had done for them in the past, and they paid for their unbelief with forty years wandering in the desert. How often do we delay God's providential plan for our problems simply because we fail to remember His faithfulness?
Now a new generation stood poised to possess the Promised Land—a generation that grew up in God's presence, witnessing over and over His faithful provision, guidance, and deliverance. "The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything" (Deut. 2:7). Whatever desert we may find ourselves in, we have the promised presence of Jesus to see us through! "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt. 28:20). Walking in faith means seeking God's presence.
Moses recounts how the Lord led the nation step-by-step toward their inheritance, all the while testing their obedience and strengthening their faith. The Lord directed them to pass through the territory of the descendants of Esau, to pay for whatever food or water they took, and to refrain from provoking them to war (Deut. 2:4–6). However, Israel's true test came when the king of Edom refused them passage (Num. 20:14–20).
The king's refusal meant a long, hard detour around Edom. A detour the Israelites might have avoided through the use of military force. But God's plan did not include giving Edom into Israel's hands: "Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own" (Deut. 2:5). We must be willing to accept God's plan for our journey, even if the road is rougher and longer than we'd like it to be! Walking in faith means trusting God's plan.
Again Moses remembers the Lord's direction as the people passed along the desert road of Moab, "Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any part of their land" (v. 9). And again at the Zered Valley (v. 13), and as they journeyed past the territory of the Ammonites (v. 18–19). For thirty-eight years God guided His people from one place to the next until the entire rebellious generation had passed away (v. 14). We must trust that God is faithful to finish the work He begins in our hearts (Phil. 1:6), even if it takes longer than we expect. Walking in faith means accepting God's timing.
God's instructions to Israel were simple enough—"Go here; don't go there; follow Me this way"—but small steps are crucial in the struggle to overcome sin and walk in faith. God guided the Israelites, always showing them the next step, but never so much that they could charge ahead on their own. God's goal for our journey is always dependence on Him! Walking in faith means following God's lead.
Once more God commanded Moses: "Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, King of Heshbon, and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle" (Deut. 2:24). God was working behind the scenes, hardening the king's heart in order to give him and his land over to the Israelites (v. 30). Israel's victory in battle against the Amorite army would also work to their advantage in the future: "This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you" (v. 25).
Because they obeyed and won the spiritual victory, the Israelites were also victorious in the physical battle. Moses remembers the success of their conquest, saying, "...not one town was too strong for us. The Lord our a God gave us all of them" (v. 36). As we seek His will, the Lord will enable us to obey through the transformational work of the Holy Spirit—and we will find obedience is always to our benefit! Walking in faith means obeying God's commands.
Problems will arise. Opposition will come. Difficult circumstances will block our way, discouraging us and delaying our progress. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we can find comfort and encouragement to continue on in our journey. "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33, emphasis added).
Jesus trusted God's plan, followed God's lead, and obeyed God's commands—and because He was God, He did it perfectly! As broken creatures we will never trust, follow, or obey perfectly, but because of what Christ has done for us we can say: No wall is too high for us, no enemy too strong, as we walk in faith with our Lord!
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (Ps. 68:19). Lord, thank You for feeling what we feel when life's problems weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. Thank You that no matter how hopeless things may seem, You offer us Your peace that transcends all understanding! May we look to You always, remembering our moment-by-moment need for Your comforting, encouraging presence. Help us walk in faith by seeking You, trusting Your plan, accepting Your timing, following Your lead, and obeying Your Word. In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- Read Hebrews 4:15. Whatever you're going through, Jesus knows and He is with you! He faced rejection, betrayal, poverty, pain and suffering, death and loss. He dealt with the minor annoyances of family life, of fatigue, stress and hunger. He lived the whole of human experience that He might be perfected in His suffering so as to minister to us in ours! Take a moment to give your problems to Christ in prayer.
- Which of the aspects of walking in faith do you find come more naturally to you? Which are harder to live out?
- Psalm 119 is a poem in which the Psalmist expresses his love for God's law. In God's word he finds more than a rigid rule book; he finds love, protection, comfort, understanding, and God Himself. Do you believe that God can speak into your heart and into your problems through His Word? Share a scripture He has used recently to encourage you.