Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
Genesis 47:4 And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to stay in the land for a while because there is no grazing land for your servants’ sheep, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.”
How can there be a famine in the land of promise? I thought God would make sure nothing bad or difficult would happen to me once I signed on the dotted salvation line? We are being unrealistic if we think we will coast through this life with no battles to overcome in our walk with God. We have an enemy who’s main intention toward all man is destruction, mayhem, and death.
How can there be a famine in the land of promise? I thought God would make sure nothing bad or difficult would happen to me once I signed on the dotted salvation line? We are being unrealistic if we think we will coast through this life with no battles to overcome in our walk with God. We have an enemy who’s main intention toward all man is destruction, mayhem, and death.
Sometimes Christians are befuddled when things go wrong in their lives – as if being in Christ solves all problems instantly. “Why am I having these troubles if God is on my side?” is a question often asked. In a lot of situations, we are having problems because God is with us. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Remember that relationship with God is not an insurance policy for a perfect life, but rather, it is a blessed assurance of the fact that God is for us and in the end, we will come out victorious. However, going through life will have multiple challenges of all kinds. Some will be easy enough to overcome and some will become brutal battles with casualties.
As Christians, we will need our faith to defeat sickness, disease, and stress as many people in the world do. We will set goals throughout our life and will have ups and downs when the enemy of our soul throws a wicked curveball our way. We are in a world where many terrible events happen. But, we are not of the world where we face these events alone. We have the Lord in our hearts and on our side directing us through the valley of life’s shadows. However, we do not stop and become a resident in the valley of turmoil. Our life is hidden in Christ and we will resurrect to victory.
Rebekah was dealing with the fact that she could not conceive a child. If Rebekah was in covenant with God as her husband Isaac was, then why all the infertility problems? Didn’t God promise Abraham that the whole world would be blessed because of Abraham’s descendants? Gen. 22:18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.
Relationship with the Lord is not a guarantee for easy living, but rather, a call to prayer and devotion with our God. The Lord will guide us toward conquering the giants before us when we ask for His help by faith. Gen. 25:21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
Relationship with the Lord is not a guarantee for easy living, but rather, a call to prayer and devotion with our God. The Lord will guide us toward conquering the giants before us when we ask for His help by faith. Gen. 25:21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
King David was a man after God’s heart, and yet, he had major battles after he inherited the promises of God concerning his reign. The Apostles had to overcome some of the most treacherous attacks on their character and physical bodies after they had been proclaimed the leaders of our faith. Historically, the cruelty perpetrated on the men and women of God has been outrageous and shameful, and yet, these saints belonged to God and battled forward. Heb. 10:32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. All these people endured after the promises of Christ had been fulfilled in their lives.
Can there be a famine in the land of promise? Yes, but this should not stop us from proclaiming the promises of God. We should not stop drawing closer to the heart of our heavenly Father. When we keep our integrity during hard times, God will guide us through the mess. Prov. 11:2 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. If there can be a famine in the land of promise while we walk in the blessings of the Lord, then imagine the devastating war-torn deprivation that is prevalent in the world system, where there is no hope, future, or restoration of the soul.
We who are in the Lord, always have a redemptive hope in our hearts. Christ, our beacon leads us through the battlefields of life where we are more than conquerors. We never need to worry, because the Lord will keep us and guide us to the very end. Psalm 48:14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.
This is bang on! Goes along with what God has been speaking to me about. Something we all have to pay heed to.
Usually I have a a long comment Norm, but today, I just want to say, this sure speaks to me!!!