Going in Circles

Deuteronomy 2:2-3

“And the Lord spoke to me saying, ‘You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north…’”


Observation:
It took Israel 40 years to make a trip that should last 40 days. Why? Where barriers in the desert that caused them to detour often? Were their enemies opposing their advance fiercely? Of course there were barriers and enemies. But the Lord came in supernatural ways to aid them each time that they encountered roadblocks. Yahweh opened the sea to provide a dry path for His people to move and for their enemies to be drowned. He even gave them the upper hand when enemy armies came to fight them. The people were going on circles not because of exterior opposition but because interior turmoil. Every time that their attitude leaned to complaining or grumbling, or rebelling against God’s appointed leaders, they detoured. Such vices causes a postponement of God’s very best for our lives.


Application:
Missing God’s best because we are going in circles is a common feeling. Some of us have been walking with the Lord for years but instead of moving forward we come around to the same familiar places of sin, or doubt, or frustration, or dissatisfaction. When we arrive to these familiar places we usually turn to seek outside roadblocks, but rarely we check our hearts for signs of grumbling, or rebellion. If we fail to look at our hearts, our diagnosis will be erroneous and we will miss the opportunity to get out of the circles and move into God’s very best.
I recently talked to a young lady that keeps wondering why she feels stuck in her walk with the Lord. She is quick to point out the outside roadblocks but very slow to check her own heart. I have noticed that in my normal conversations with her she grumbles a lot about the way her life is going. Also I have heard reports of the way she criticizes our church leadership in the outskirts of the camp. This young woman reminds me of someone that I know very well—Myself. Only few years ago I realized that in my walk with God I was going in circles because of my grumbling and my lack of submission. I had to learn valuable lessons the hard way. Today I’m much better, but still I’m vulnerable to loose focus, get lost, and walk around in circles. I don’t want such life of regrets and dissolution. I want God’s very best for me. Every time we found ourselves going around in circles, we should say what God says, "you have circled this long enough. Now turn north..."

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, revalidate my desire to honor you with my obedience, gratitude and sincere submission to those in authority over me. Help me to live out a culture that discourages complaining, grumbling and rebellion. Search my Heart, Oh God, and show me where I'm grumbling and rebelling so I can repent quickly. As a shepherd I pray for those under my care that camp in the outskirts of criticism against me or other leaders. Please speak clearly into their hearts and help them to hear you clearly about changing their mindset. I don’t want to see them going around circles in their walk with you. Help them to heal in their brokenness and allow them to move on in Your very best. AMEN!