Stepping Out in Faith: God Clears the Path Ahead

Listen to today’s passage – Deuteronomy 9 – 11 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Deuteronomy 9 

Second Milers also read –  2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Proverbs 4; Psalm 16 – 20

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121

Read the “0304 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Choice is Yours“

I hate to admit it, but fear has been a constant companion in my life. New things, new people, rejection, failure—they all make my heart race. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. That’s why a verse like Deuteronomy 9:3 brings me such comfort…

“Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.” – (Deuteronomy 9:3)

In Deuteronomy 9, God is encouraging another group of fearful people. The people of Israel were about to enter into the land of promise and though the land was a wonderful place, it was also inhabited by some pretty big and mean dudes who were not too pleased about this new nation moving in. God reminded them here in this verse that they need not be afraid because he was going to go before them and pave the way for them. He was going to clear the land first, so that the Israelites would basically be able to move right in.

This echoes what Moses says later to Joshua:

“7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7–8)

The reason why verses like this one comfort me is because I’m afraid to try new things, meet new people, face rejection, or fail. I am sometimes scared to death to step out by faith and do the Lord’s will for my life. God sometimes asks me to do things that I am not naturally comfortable with. I remember the first time that I was asked to do a devotion. Even though the group that I was addressing was only a small group of junior aged boys, I was terrified; but I knew it was something that God wanted me to do, so I did it. Praise the Lord, It turned out well. God went before me, and He went with me. Soul-winning still fills me with dread sometimes. I am scared to death of rejection. The thought of somebody slamming the door in my face or berating me is almost enough to keep me from going. But, again, I know God wants me to “preach the gospel to every creature” and He always goes before me and provides me with wonderful opportunities to share Christ with the lost or to encourage the saved.

Paul admonished Timothy:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

We need to claim that promise as well.

What has God been asking you to do that you are afraid to do? Remember, He will not ask you to do something that He will not equip you and empower you to do. God will go before you. He will pave the way and then after the road is clear, He will go in with you to help you along the way. You know, every time I overcome my fears and do the thing that the Lord has called me to do – without exception, He blesses me, and I walk away overflowing with joy and fulfillment that’s hard to describe.

 

Take a moment right now: Write down one thing God might be nudging you toward. Then pray, “Lord, go before me as a consuming fire. Help me trust You and step out.” I promise—He’ll meet you there.


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