“At-TENT-ion”

“The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord.” - Psalm 106:24-25

As Psalm 106 opens, the author (who is unknown, but who is believed to be David) is praising God as he recounts how God forgave the wrongdoings of Israel (God’s chosen people), saved them from their sin and blessed them. When we get to verse 23, the Bible tells us that God wanted to punish the people for their sins, but Moses stepped in and asked for mercy on behalf of the people which God granted. God continued to maintain His covenant with the people of Israel and vowed to STILL take them into the Promised Land …even after they sinned against God.

As the story unfolds (which is originally told in Exodus), even after receiving God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy and seeing God perform all sorts of miracles, the people of Israel still doubted God. In verses 24-25 above, we see that Israel still didn’t believe God’s promise to care for them and chose to stay in their “tents” grumbling.

Sometimes in life we can find ourselves in less than desirable situations and conditions because we’re still in our “tents” grumbling about our circumstances. Those “tents” can range from relationships (personal, familial, professional, and friends), jobs, emotions, and just other random things in our “circle of comfort.” …You know things that have been in our life or a certain way for so long, that whether it’s right or wrong, we accept it for what it is.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a “tent” just because it’s more comfortable to us than the uncertainty of change (like staying in relationships, no matter the type, that we KNOW are not good for us). The people of Israel were told by God that He would lead them into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey…yet because it didn’t happen in THEIR timing, they chose to complain and not fully trust God. As Believers, we must hold on to each promise that God gives us, knowing with all of our heart that it shall come to pass, whatever the promise may be. For the Word of God declares: 

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” - Isaiah 55:11 …and 

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.” - Numbers 23:19

Now in order for the children of Israel to go into the Promised Land, they must leave their “tents”first. This means they would have had to make a choice to get up and walk away from the very “tents” they felt secure and comfortable in…but these were also the same “tents” that facilitated their negativity. Sometimes we let our fear of what’s ahead override our ability to trust God, make excuses not to follow God and to move by His Word…but I’m glad “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” - 2 Tim 1:7

Personally, I was afraid of fully committing to God because I honestly wasn’t sure if living for God would be as satisfying as the sins I was committing were (which still left me feeling empty afterwards). Yes, this is what held me back from committing to God for a long time. I was so afraid to leave my “tents” behind that I couldn’t move forward because I was still looking backwards.

It wasn’t until I realized that not only did Christ die for my sins, but He also wanted me to have life…AND have it more abundantly! God’s Word declares: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10

So, today I encourage you to re-evaluate the “tents” in your life and to move on God’s promises to you. Trust that God’s plan for your life is more spectacular and fulfilling than anything that you can ever dream of! Take the energy you’re giving your “tents” and give it to God, He will amaze you like never before! :-)

Allison :-)

(originally posted: May 9, 2011)