Obstacles: December 1, 2011

DECEMBER 1 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER1, 2011

OBSTACLES

DEFINITION:

An obstruction or hindrance.

SCRIPTURE:

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. Joshua 6:1

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The Lord has a plan for the life of each believer. To thwart God’s purposes, Satan puts obstacles in the path of believers. There are many different kinds of obstacles. They include a difficult boss, contrary family members and financial concerns. Anything that blocks a desired goal can cause anxiety and frustration. And these can derail what God wants from you. But remember that no obstacle can touch you, be a concern to you, without the consent of God.

Read the verse above concerning the Biblical account that we all know about Joshua and the city of Jericho. The strong fortress around the city of Jericho barred Israel’s entrance into the land. This was an obstacle to God’s plan for the Children of Israel and Joshua to conquer Jericho.

Satan will always put up obstacles --- fortresses --- to hinder our spiritual progress just like He did to Joshua and the Children of Israel. The conquest of Jericho seemed impossible to Israel but not so to God. Joshua’s army was no match for Jericho’s military and the wall was an impossible barrier to cross.

But God had promised the Israelites the land and Joshua believed that God would provide a way for them to get into the city of Jericho. Joshua was not deterred by what seemed impossible but instead he acknowledged God’s power and sought His guidance.

Before Joshua even realized that God was at work, God was already preparing the city for destruction by instilling fear into the hearts of the kings in the region and the people in Jericho. God’s direction was a very unlikely battle plan, but Joshua obeyed and God’s people triumphed.

The apostle Paul understood how to handle obstacles in his life. Even when he was in prison he kept his eyes and full trust on Christ. His days in prison were filled with joy. He wrote the book of Philippians from his jail cell and it was full of expressions of joy. (1:18, 2:18 and 3:1) Paul did not let even prison keep him from sharing the message of salvation.

We can overcome obstacles in our lives by focusing on Christ. This is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation that we are facing in life now. We search for our own solutions and meanwhile we stew over pain and difficulty. Our troubles look insurmountable and overwhelming, but fear and defeat cannot last long in the heart of a believer that has his or her trust in the Lord. The choice is yours just as it was the apostle Paul’s, Joshua and the Children of Israel. We must ask ourselves, “Where is our faith and trust?”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Revelation 3:20.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

PRAYER:

Help me to cast away the obstacles that I may face in life today. Keep me away from the obstacles that can cause me great heartache. Help me to put my complete trust in You knowing that You care for me and will lead me through every situation I face.