More Than the Promised Land
Exodus 33:1-3
And the Lord said unto Moses Depart and go up hence thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt unto the land which I sware unto Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob saying Unto thy seed will I give it And I will send an angel before thee and I will drive out the Canaanite the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite the Hivite and the Jebusite Unto a land flowing with milk and honey for I will not go up in the midst of thee for thou art a stiffnecked people lest I consume thee in the way
Thought:
God told Israel they could still have the land He promised. They would still experience victory over enemies and enjoy a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet God added a terrifying reality. His presence would not go with them. They could have the blessings without the Blesser. The people recognized this as bad news because they began to understand that the greatest loss is not opportunities or comforts but the nearness of God Himself.
This presses a question into our hearts. Would we be content with a life where our needs are met, our plans succeed, and our dreams come true, but our fellowship with God grows cold and distant. Many believers are tempted to settle for answered prayers while ignoring the One who answers. Today ask the Lord to show you where your heart has chased His gifts more than His presence. Confess where you have wanted success more than closeness. Choose like Israel to mourn the thought of living blessed lives without a burning love for God Himself.
Prayer:
Father in heaven I come in the name of Jesus. Forgive me for the times I have wanted Your blessings more than I have wanted You. Search my heart and show me any way in which I have preferred comfort achievement or answered requests over communion with You. Restore to me a holy fear of living at a distance from Your presence. Place in me a new hunger to know You and to walk with You closely. I confess that Your presence is better than any earthly success. Draw me near for Jesus sake and in His name. Amen.
And the Lord said unto Moses Depart and go up hence thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt unto the land which I sware unto Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob saying Unto thy seed will I give it And I will send an angel before thee and I will drive out the Canaanite the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite the Hivite and the Jebusite Unto a land flowing with milk and honey for I will not go up in the midst of thee for thou art a stiffnecked people lest I consume thee in the way
Thought:
God told Israel they could still have the land He promised. They would still experience victory over enemies and enjoy a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet God added a terrifying reality. His presence would not go with them. They could have the blessings without the Blesser. The people recognized this as bad news because they began to understand that the greatest loss is not opportunities or comforts but the nearness of God Himself.
This presses a question into our hearts. Would we be content with a life where our needs are met, our plans succeed, and our dreams come true, but our fellowship with God grows cold and distant. Many believers are tempted to settle for answered prayers while ignoring the One who answers. Today ask the Lord to show you where your heart has chased His gifts more than His presence. Confess where you have wanted success more than closeness. Choose like Israel to mourn the thought of living blessed lives without a burning love for God Himself.
Prayer:
Father in heaven I come in the name of Jesus. Forgive me for the times I have wanted Your blessings more than I have wanted You. Search my heart and show me any way in which I have preferred comfort achievement or answered requests over communion with You. Restore to me a holy fear of living at a distance from Your presence. Place in me a new hunger to know You and to walk with You closely. I confess that Your presence is better than any earthly success. Draw me near for Jesus sake and in His name. Amen.
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