“But the Lord said to me, ‘Tell them, “Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.” ’ So I told you, but you would not listen.”
— Deuteronomy 1:42 – 43
The Lord told the Israelites to go into the Promised Land and defeat those who lived there, but they were scared and refused. Later, the Israelites changed their minds, but God warned them it was too late. They disobeyed and went to fight anyway — and were defeated. God used defeat to get the attention of the stubborn Israelites. Today, God still gets our attention by allowing us to experience defeat.
Hannah’s family was having problems, and the tension made her edgy. She swallowed the anxiety, but it erupted later as anger at her best friend. She even mouthed off to her reading teacher when she didn’t have her assignment done. Hannah was allowed to experience defeat. Her best friend refused to come over on the weekend. She also spent time after school in the reading room. As she finished her overdue assignment, she prayed, “Lord, are you trying to tell me something?”
Are things going badly in certain areas of your life? It may be that God is trying to get your attention to move you back on the path to joyful, peaceful living. Listen up!
More to Explore: Isaiah 59:1 – 2
Girl Talk: What are you having trouble with right now? Could God be trying to get your attention about something?
God Talk: “Jesus, I want to take an honest look at my life and not blame my problems on others. Help me to listen to your words of wisdom. Amen.”
From Chick Chat by Kristi Holl