Hidden PotentialSample

Maybe you are asking the same questions I’m asking: Where do I go from here, Lord? I am vulnerable, more aware of what feels wrong with me—now what?

Let’s check back in with Moses. In Numbers 20, we read that Moses’s disobedience and glory-thievery prohibited his entrance to the Promised Land. After he received this devastating news, he continued to lead the people, which I find amazing. Don’t you? Moses’s failures and faults did not disqualify him from God’s purposes. As Moses wrapped up his assignment, he offered the people some parting remarks: “Therefore, obey the terms of this covenant so that you will prosper in everything you do” (Deuteronomy 29:9).

A covenant is a conditional agreement between people. When God’s people walked out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt, God established His law with them. The Mosaic covenant was a divine constitution given to Israel with promises on the condition of obedience and penalties for disobedience. Moses received the law and communicated the agreement with the people.

Moses reminded the people of this covenant and its importance. He knew that he would not be with this new generation of people as they trod the soil of their land and that the recap was necessary. In order to move forward, a recommitment was needed.

God longs for our obedience, but He won’t make us obey. Therefore, when we make poor choices, choosing sin rather than submission, God will let the chips fall where they may and allow us to face the natural consequences of our sin. Like we see with the Israelites, and specifically Moses, He is a God of justice. He says what He means and means what He says. That being true, we can also count on this truth: God will restore relationship with His estranged children. His grace is greater than our sin, and His mercy can’t miss us; both are waiting when we return to Him.

As we consider all the Spirit revealed to us these past few days, we are faced with a choice: we can return to God or we can return to the way things were. I pray you choose the former. Pushing through the muck and mire of your failures, fears, and faults won’t be easy. But God longs to make new all that you give Him: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Will you move forward? How will you move forward?

We hope you enjoyed this reading plan. You can learn more about Wendy Pope and her new book, Hidden Potential, and sign up to get free ebooks from David C Cook, here.