August 14
2018
Backwards or Forwards?
They appointed a leader to return to their bondage. Nehemiah 9:17
Nehemiah was speaking about the Israelites.
Despite the miracles and provision they saw in the wilderness by the Hand of God, despite His Presence which they saw in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, they walked in disobedience and turned away from the Lord, seeking to return to Egypt each time they perceived an issue.
How often are we like this?
We are all on board when things are going smoothly and then when we hit a bump; we choose leaders (other than God) in our lives to take us back to where we were.
We seek to go back to where we were because it was familiar, because things seemed to be better there and if nothing else we know what to expect.
Those leaders might be people.
Those leaders may be things.
Those leaders may be habits.
Those leaders may be thought processes.
The one thing that is common among those leaders is that they always want to take you backwards. The Israelites forgot the bondage of Egypt and only focused on what they had when they were there; the leeks and the cucumbers.
They lacked trust and faith not only in their God but in their own strength and courage to move forward rather than always running backward.
Where do you find yourself today?
Are you seeking God for the direction to move forward or are you running to other leaders, people, things and habits and thought processes who will lead you back into the bondage you just came from? The Word tells us that “we are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us” Romans 8:37
So stand up straight and tall, chest out, chin up, ears open to hear the direction of the Lord, and move forward confidently in the Lord and His direction!
There is no need to retreat or choose other leaders to lead you back into bondage.
We are moving forward!
