10 AUGUST 2024 devotional

Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

(Psalm 78:41)

Here we read the writings of David as He recounts the journey of Israel in the desert wanderings. He is reminding them of their history, their heritage, and the goodness of God on their behalf.

It is good to look back sometimes. Sometimes – just to remember from where God has brought us. It is good to remember. Not to mourn as many of the Israelites did during their wilderness travels. They would remember the garlic and the leeks, the food they had, the “comforts” they had while in bondage. They conveniently forgot the torment at the hands of their masters, the thousands who died at the hands of their tormentors. They forgot the hard labor to which they were assigned while under the “protection and provision” of the Egyptians. We need to look back with clear vision.

Here David is reminding the people of a very important fact – one, to which, I would like to direct your attention. Think for just a moment of all the amazing things God performed for the Israelites in the desert. They were able to access water – in the desert! Water enough to satisfy both them and their livestock! They received food at the hand of God. Manna at first, but later on they received meat. In the desert! God parted the Sea for them to pass over on dry ground, yet later drowned their enemies in that same Sea. Through forty years of wandering through the desert, not one grew weak or sick, nor did their clothing or sandals wear out. Wow! Still, with all these supernatural provisions on their behalf, they were able to limit the Holy One of Israel!

Think of all the wonderful things God COULD have provided for them in the desert, yet they were able to block Him from doing so. Amazing! The God of the Universe, the Creator of all, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent – could be limited by the beliefs and actions of the Hebrew children! He had SO MUCH MORE He wanted to do for them, yet they blocked Him with their unbelief.

What about you and me? We have the privilege of witnessing (occasionally) a supernatural intervention by God on our behalf and are totally amazed! Yet, how much more would He like to do for us if only we believed? One of my all-time favorite scriptures is found in Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”. I don’t know about you, but I can think of some pretty amazing things I would like God to do for me. Yet Paul writes that God is able to do exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that I can ask or think! That’s a tall order by my standards, yet nothing to Him.

I challenge you today to take the limits off God. Allow Him free rein within your life and your world. Allow Him to perform for you those exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think miracles. I have lived with my brakes on for so long, but I am learning to release the brakes and allow Him free rule and reign in my life. It is scary, but it is amazing!

I invite you along on this ride. We know the end of it, but the middle is the exciting part. We win in the end, my friend. Trust Him to carry you through the middle.

Be blessed.