On Your Feet Now

Good times seem to bring excitement, anticipation, and gratefulness for life; however, when we experience challenges there is a tendency to lose enthusiasm, easily tire, and complain. A battle for our attitude, thought process, conversations, and reactions ensue with the onslaught of problems and pressures.

We are enabled, through the Spirit of God, to enter into the place of faith regardless of our circumstances.  It requires surrendered, grateful trust.

Can you imagine what the Exodus people had gone through?  They had been on a "walk" of a lifetime. The thing is . . . they were grateful for the miracle . . . . but they failed to see through it.

On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, "Why didn't God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!" (Exodus 16:1-3)

So, no one could see the presence and power of God? Really?  Seriously?  That's it?  They responded with  a group tantrum?  Life didn't look the way they wanted it to look.  They needed to get on their feet, thanking God in unmitigated faith.  God had clearly delivered them . . . provided water when they were thirsty . . . told them how to respond to life: to listen carefully, to do what is right in His eyes, and to pay attention to His Word . . . and then led them to an oasis before they continued their journey.  Yet, they ALL complained, failing to see God and to understand their role of obedient partnership.

We have two choices:  sit down and throw an adult-sized tantrum or to get up on our feet in obedience with gratefulness.  Being thankful  draws us closer to God's heart; complaining moves us away from Him.  The thing is . . . we are called into obedient partnership with God . . . but sometimes we miss seeing the miracle of it.  And, when we fail to see the miracle,  we complain.  Perhaps we miss the miracle because we close our eyes to the invisible realm where we can only see with faith.

The answer?  Enter into the place of faith, obey, and give thanks:

 ^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
      sing yourselves into his presence.
 ³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
      He made us; we didn't make him.
      We're his people, his well-tended sheep.
 ⁴ Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
      Thank him. Worship him.
 ⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
      all-generous in love,
      loyal always and ever. (Psalm 100)

Learning to KickStart the day on my feet ,

Kerrie

(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)