Preparing You

I have realized that when you ask God for something, when you pray to Him, what He usually does is prepare you for that very thing. Sometimes that thing we prayed for, we are not ready possess or to have. If you did receive it immediately, would you be able to obtain it?

When the Israelites were being led to the Promised Land, God did not lead them through the shortcut.

Exodus 13:17

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through the Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land.

God said, "if the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt"

I imagine they were thinking C'mon, we have been enslaved our entire lives, and you said you would rescue us. I know I have prayed for things that I didn't see in my own timing and I'm like "okay, your word literally says you answer and give us what we ask for. I am standing on your word, why is this not happening?

So, what was God doing? He was preparing them for the land they were going to receive.

When you read this story in its entirety, you will see that time and time again the Israelites questioned the path they were taking. Every time they had to battle something, they wanted to be back where they were-and that was a pretty bad place to be. But it is easier to go back to something familiar because you know what to expect and it take little effort. But when He stretches you and strengthens you it takes time. It's like building muscle. You don't lift weights one time and have the body you desire or the strength you want. I sometimes will lift weights, but I have never been consistent with it. I go back to the comfort of my routine. Why? Because lifting weights is hard and sometimes it actually hurts.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine stepping into something new because you don't know what is up ahead. When you don't have a vision of where you are going-but that is why (and I am going to say this a lot throughout my posts) it is so important to have a relationship with God. To remain in Him. To abide in Him. To obey His instructions because He will reveal what is to come.

Here's another thing, when your faith is being built, you will have a responsibility. Andi Andrew gave a message one time about responsibility. God kept telling her "Responsibility is your ability to respond." It is faith in action.

James 2:17

In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

So back to the story of the Israelites. Exodus 13:21 says:

21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Did you know that God still goes before us? He still guides you. He doesn't take you through the wilderness to just watch over you. He walks through it with you. Keep your eyes on Him, not the circumstance. Oh this, gets so good....

If you are not familiar with the story of God parting the Red Sea-I encourage you to read this story. In Exodus Chapter 14 God gives Moses an instruction. Why? Because He has a plan, and He gives Moses a responsibility. AND because Moses knows God and trusts Him, he responds with faith, and he puts it into action!

You have been saved by faith, but do you HAVE faith? There is a difference. You can believe in God and be baptized and never go further. But wouldn't you want to have a relationship so close with God that every time He asked you to partner with Him, you trusted and walked with Him? He wants you to have long lasting blessings.

Deuteronomy 11:8

Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have the strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.

God wants to prepare you before you take over the land you are about to enter. I don't know what you have prayed for, but be watchful, walk the path with Him, He might just be preparing you for that exact thing.