Wednesday, April 21, 2010

THE SAME FAITH

Isn't it shocking that the children of Israel believed God could get them out of Egypt, but they couldn't believe he could get them into the Promised Land?

They had survived ten supernatural plagues. They watched in horror as death claimed all the firstborn children in Egypt, and yet not one of them died. They had witnessed the unbelievable sight of a sea piling up on both sides to open a dry passage right through it—and they walked through the sea! Then they watched in amazement as the sea fell in on Pharaoh and his army, drowning them.

"Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore…and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord" (Exodus 14:30-31).

How excited Israel was! They were now saved! The old life was gone and new life was theirs. They danced for joy, filled with anticipation of a glorious new life in a land of beauty and rest.

"Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance…which thou hast made for thee to dwell in…" (Exodus 15:17).

Only six weeks later, the people were down in the pit of despair! They were miserable, troubled, fearful and complaining. They had forgotten all about God's miraculous power.

"On the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt…the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses.... Would to God we had died in the land of Egypt…” (Exodus 16:1-3).

In the months ahead, these same people doubted God on ten different occasions.

Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

God wants to give me a kingdom? Where is it?

"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation [visibly].... The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20, 21).

It is something you possess in your inner man. It is a liberated life!

"For the kingdom of God is not meat or drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).