All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11:13-16, NIV)
The desert sun was breaking the horizon and a soft morning breeze cooled the sweat on the old man’s brow as he continued his climb up the small mountain in front of him. He paused for a moment to catch his breath, and looked up at the climb still awaiting him. Wiping the moisture from his weathered brow, he grasped his staff and continued the slow climb to the summit. His thoughts wandered over the past decades of his journey. His had been a hard road, much like the climb he was taking now. Nearing the summit, his heart began to beat faster, both in anticipation and regret. With one final push, he cleared the final rise and stood at the summit, and saw the land on the other side of the mountain.
Lush green valleys lay before him. Fertile farmlands filled the landscape surrounding small towns that that were well built and easily defended. The wind carried the smell of a rich land up from the valley to his nostrils, as his eye welled with tears looking out over this wonderful landscape. His heart ached to look at such a spectacular view, the end of his journeys, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to not only him but also to his people. Seeing it at last, he could barely contain himself from running down the other side of the mountain and into that paradise.
He leaned heavily on his staff, slowly lowering himself to his knees. Hot tears fell from his eyes as he lifted them to the heavens. “Almighty LORD” he prayed, “Please?”
A gentle wind blew up the mountain, enveloping him in a soft, cool cocoon of Presence. A soft whisper spoke to him, “No”.
He bowed his head in worship and submission, knowing and trusting in the wisdom and justice of God. Moses slowly rose, and with one final look, began his journey back down Mt Nebo.
As part of my reading last week, I read both the accounts of Moses on Mt. Nebo and the chapter in Hebrews posted above. I was struck how quick we (I am very guilty) are to forget the promises of God, and question His decisions and His justice. Moses waited 80 years to come to that place on Mt Nebo, most of them spent in the desert.
Many of us have promises from God that are yet unfulfilled. We walk in the desert of waiting, wondering where God is and questioning in our hearts “Did God really say…??”
The great “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11 was placed in the bible by God to be encouragement to us. God knows that our fickle human hearts are quickly led in directions that are not His direction. He, in His wisdom, has set a time and place for all things. Often times, there is a great deal of time between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise. The reason is He has to prepare us to walk in the fullness of that promise.
In other words, He is like a father promising His son a car when the son is only 5 years old. The son has some growing up to do before he has the maturity to be able to function in that promise. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew- "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! (Jesus- Matt 7:9-11)
If you have a promise from God, and it has yet to be fulfilled, ask yourself- “Do I need to grow up a little first?” Ask God that question, and see what He says, and in the mean time, believe that it will come to pass, for God is a good God, and all of His promises are “yeah, and amen!”
“Your focus will determine your reality” is a wise proverb. In the Christian’s life, our focus and trust in God will often determine how soon He can fulfill His promises to us, and take us to that next level spiritually.
Many blessings
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