Hi ,
Last week, I wrote about a question that came up during my private bible study time: How come God left enemies in the Promised Land, even though he had given the land to the Israelites as a blessing? Shouldn't God have arranged the situation so they didn't have to deal with any problems? Yes, this applies to health goals too. You'll see how later in this message...
Recall that the answers are found here:
Exodus 23: 25-30
"Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on
your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and
none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a
full life span.
I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies
turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive
the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. But I will
not drive them out in a single year, because the land would
become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little
by little I will drive them out before you, until you have
increased enough to take possession of the land."
We already reviewed the first reason: God left the enemies in the Promised Land because he was
allowing the enemy's work to bless the Israelites before
they
arrived.
And here is the second reason: God said if he drove out the enemies in a single year then the wild animals would become too numerous for them. God knew the number of wild animals in the land and that the Israelites were no match for them. However, he let the enemies stay there to kill off some of the wild animals and to also buy time for the Israelites to multiply until they became big enough to fight the wild animals.
Have you considered that perhaps the blessing God is moving you into is too big for you to handle at your current level of character and faith right now? You need to be moved into it gradually so that you can handle your blessing in a way that brings Him maximum glory.
Think of this in terms of your health. Have you ever had the experience of losing weight rapidly, only to see the pounds come back? That is because whatever reasons that caused you to gain weight to begin with were never dealt with (the wild animals). You thought those reasons would be defeated because you took away the symptoms (the excess fat). But then they came roaring back and devoured your good intentions.
So patience is a critical key to help you deal with enemies in your Promised Land. Healthy-wise, continue to eat well and move your body every day. Allow the excess weight to melt off as your new habits take hold and become a part of you.
Be confident in the fact that God is driving your enemies out little by little, preparing your blessing for you to enjoy and growing your faith and character big enough to handle your success so that your results last permanently.
Here is another scripture to encourage you as you deal with enemies/problems:
James 1: 2-8: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Be blessed in health, wealth, and wisdom,
Kimberly Floyd, C.W.C.
www.takebackyourtemple.com
Take Back Your
Temple
#1 Provider of Christian weight loss coaching and resources
P.S. If you missed my appearance on The 700 Club on CBN, you can still catch it.
Just visit the 'Blog'
page on my website. The video will be in the post, 'CBN 700 Club Interview
- My
Weight Loss Success Story.
Also, check out the new video I've posted at
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book in which I describe the missing ingredient of most weight loss programs and two steps you can take to help ensure your success. It's in the middle of the page.
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