Greetings! BlogFam - After reading today's Scripture, which is coming up shortly, I was immediately reminded of conversations that have been discouraging in my own life. Conversations filled with attitudes and/or words that deplete your energy, disrupt your momentum, downplay your ambition, and put a dent in your dreams. Have you ever been in a conversation with someone with whom you regret that you entrusted them with what you believe to be God's next move in your life? Is there anyone in your phone contact list or among your Facebook friends that you intentionally avoid sharing your good news? Have you ever felt betrayed by the lack of excitement expressed by your friend or family member when you were overjoyed by the news you told them? I can answer YES to all of the questions I have just posed to you. Friends, it is not a good feeling. The responses might hurt your feelings or make you reconsider necessary details; but either way, when we are moving in the direction toward the "place about which the Lord has said, 'I'll give it to you,'" we must press toward the rest beyond Hobab. Let's take a look at our scripture for today in a book of the Bible that you probably have never read...LOL! Leviticus 10... 29 Moses said to Hobab the Midianite, Reuel’s son and Moses’ father-in-law, “We’re marching to the place about which the Lord has said, ‘I’ll give it to you.’ Come with us and we’ll treat you well, for the Lord has promised to treat Israel well.” 30 Hobab said to him, “I won’t go; I’d rather go to my land and to my folk.” Let's press pause right here... Friends I totally understand people having personal preferences, wanting to go to familiar places and be around familiar people. But this is Moses' Father-in-Law who knows the struggles Moses has had in leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt as well as the challenges of their disobedience and impatience with waiting on the fulfillment of God's Promise to them. Moses is family. And Moses attempts to paint a picture to convince Hobab of the promise of the Lord and how well the Lord will treat them well. But Hobab is not convinced. BlogFam, do you know any Hobab's in your life? People who will refuse to be excited about walking in the newness of life and light of God. People who will reject the promises of God. People who will choose to remain in familiar places and around familiar people because of fear or age or education or lack of self-esteem or maybe just lazy, skeptical, or indifferent. But Moses, being a good son and compassionate presence in the life of Hobab - 31 Moses said, “Please don’t abandon us, for you know where we can camp in the desert, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you go with us, whatever good the Lord does for us, we’ll do for you.” Come on, Hobab! Moses pretty much begs him to come on and receive the promise of the Lord with them. Hobab could obviously be a great resource for them. Hobab is well acquainted with the desert. He can be their eyes. He can help them to see and to navigate this unfamiliar place. Furthermore, Moses tries to convince him by adding that Hobab will not be left out of the favor of God for "whatever good the Lord does for us, we'll do for you." And then they march on. The text does not mention whether or not Hobab is convinced by Moses' argument for him to come. The text does not mention whether or not Hobab accepted Moses offer to go with them. The text does not reveal in the selected verses of Leviticus 10 whether or not Hobab goes on an adventure or stays at home. BUT what we do know is that "they" marched on. And friends, this is exactly what we must do. We must march on, following the instructions of the Lord in our own lives. There will be people who will blatantly tell us NO! I will NOT go with you! I am NOT convinced of God's promise to you! I might could be of assistance to you but I want to stay home! But we must march on! 33 They marched from the Lord’s mountain for three days. The Lord’s chest containing the covenant marched ahead of them for three days to look for a resting place for them. 34 Now the Lord’s cloud was over them by day when they marched from the camp. 35 When the chest set out, Moses would say, “Arise, Lord, let your enemies scatter, and those who hate you flee.” 36 When it rested, he would say, “Return, Lord of the ten thousand thousands of Israel.” (Numbers 10:29-36) Friends, MARCH ON! It is so important for you to remain focused on the promise of the Lord over your life. You cannot sway for relatives, friends, co-workers, roommates, teammates, in-laws, neighbors, popular opinion, or the latest trending topic. You must continue to march on beyond the attitudes and perspectives that are stuck in the past or the familiar scenery and sounds of their comfort zones. You must continue to march on! And when it is time to rest on your way to the Promised Land, make sure you only rest as the Lord leads you to do so. Rest. It is OK to rest. May the Lord go before you, leading you to a land of promise and rest along the way, and may you never stop marching on due to the Hobab's in your life. Move on past Hobab, stay close to the covenant, and YOU MARCH ON!!! GOD LOVES YOU and I DO TOO!!! Delesslyn |
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Categories#100PoundsOfExcuses#FREEFlowFriday #iThrive #TheAffirmation #TheSHIFT 2012 End of Year Reflections 3:17 40 Days of Fasting A NEW DAY!!! 8-1-2012 A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness At Bay AFTER He Rose! Best Practices COPYRIGHT - Permissions Policy Cover Up! CROSS-Eyed Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Disciples Dos and Don'ts G.R.A.C.E. GAIN SOME WAIT!!! GET A CLUE...About Me HOME is Where YOUR Heart Is HOPE & HEALING HOPE! INTRODUCTION Isaiah Reflections John 3 MY VISION FAST NEW YEAR, NEW LOVE NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS ONE WORD REST. Period. Saying Goodbye Starting Over Starting Fresh STEP OUT OF THE BOAT - Matthew 14 The EIGHTH Day The EIGHTH Day 2 The Good Samaritan The KEY of LOVE The Living Room Christian Fellowship The POWER to be PERFECT! The Prayer Bridge Things We Left On the Mountain! VISION Wholesome Habits of Healthy Disciples WWJD = What Would JUSTICE Do? |
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