Hosanna Restoration Church

As I read this I put a note in my Bible saying, “They were so close to the truth–they only needed to press on.” This led me to think about how often we are stopped short of all that God has for us because of some little thing that would work itself out if we just pressed in.

Here these people were declaring that Jesus was the Messiah and then allowing themselves to doubt because they had not seen His birth certificate! I wonder if it ever occurred to them to just ask Jesus, “By the way, could you tell us where you were born?”

Of course, there were those who did not let that stop them. They were divided in their opinion, so we know some went on in their quest for the truth. It is always joyous when people go on, but what a tragedy when people let some little thing keep them from salvation. I have seen people who held back for fear of what their family might say or for fear that God might ask them to change what they are doing. Some people back away because they would not want to be thought of as one of those people from that church. There are all kinds of things that the enemy raises up in order to stop people short of salvation. But what about those little things that he uses to stop people short of the good plans that God has for them.

Just think about it. What are some little things that come up in your life that rob you of the promises of God? When I was a kid there was a particular present that I wanted really bad. I made plans around that present and I kept watching for it to appear under the Christmas tree. As time went on and it did not appear I became such a pain that my parents had to tell me about the surprise. I did get the present, but I ruined a lot just because it did not look like I was getting my way. I think we do things like this when it comes to our walk with God.

God has things that he is arranging for us and instead of following His ways and His will we get in the flesh and mess it up. We will never know for sure until we get to heaven what it cost us because we wanted our way. We may still get a little but we probably miss a lot. In my case, nearly forty years later I still look back and regret being such a pain. The sad truth is, I may well have done the same sort of thing many times since in different degrees. Lord help me, I don’t want to be stopped short by little things or even big things because compared to You even the largest thing is very insignificant.

What has been robbing you lately? Have pride, greed, selfishness, self-righteousness, or maybe just plain laziness in seeking God slowed you down? Have you been offended? Are you mad at someone or something? Are you feeling superior to others or fearful of others? Any number of things can rob us, but all together now let’s say, “NO MORE!”