Change Happens

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

The story of the Israelites is about change.  The change God brought and the changes they inflicted upon themselves.  

It was God that delivered them from Egyptian slavery. 

But they rebelled against God and failed to enter the Promised Land. 

It was God that lead Joshua and the next generation into that Promised Land. 

But it was their idolatry that weakened their defenses and allowed their enemies to overrun them. 

It was God who provided Judges to deliver them upon their repentance. 

But they desired to have a King rule over them, which lead to a series of bad kings and corruption. 

It was God who provided prophets and others to save the nation again and again.  

You get the picture.  As the old saying goes, "Out of the frying pan and into the fire." Except in their case, it was out of the pan, into the fire, back into the pan, back into the fire.  

God would bring positive, life-giving change, but the Israelites would eventually wander off from His Word and create, change of their own.  Change that dishonored Him, change that sinned against Him, change that led them to destruction. 

When we follow God and His will, He leads us through the changes we need to face to ultimately get where He wants us to go.  Change isn't easy, and sometimes it is painful.  Change can look, and it can look horrifying too.  Sometimes we try to change what God is doing in our lives.  We decide to change His change.  But in the end, we only shortchange ourselves.  

What is happening in your life right now that is changing things?  Do you like it?  Do you hate it?  Take the time to ask God what you should be doing about it?  You will find that His wisdom in your heart will help you accept what He is doing and bolster your trust in Him. 

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, change is happening in my life.  Show me how to glorying You through it.  AMEN