Friday, May 30, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Thessalonians 2
I wish I could count the times when I let fear win over faith, or when I made choices that seemed right in the moment but ended up crushing me or, worse yet, some of those around me. That regret is heavy.
As I reflect on those moments, I notice a pattern in those hurts. They always come when I move ahead without checking to see if God is in it with me, or when I ignore the signs and the people he's put in place to guide me on a better path.
In Numbers 14, we see what happens when the Israelites try to move without God, ignoring the signs and the warnings.
Numbers 14:41-42:
But Moses said, “Why are you now disobeying the Lord’s orders to return to the wilderness? It won’t work. Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the Lord is not with you.”
Moses warned them, but they chose to go without God anyway. They let fear rule, got crushed, and then regretted it.
It's a sobering picture, not because God is harsh, but because he is holy. He doesn't bless rebellion just because we've changed our minds and decided to return to the course he set up for us.
When we don't begin by walking with him or surrounding ourselves with people who push us back to him, we're vulnerable where it matters most, and we risk stepping into battles we weren’t intended to fight.
The beautiful truth is God is always full of grace, and even though we don't deserve it, he'll meet us in the mess we've made. But how much better could life be if we invited him in from the beginning, before the mistakes or detours?
That's where real peace lives. That's the better way.
Questions:
Where might you need to pause and invite God in before rushing ahead without his presence?
Next Steps:
Join or start a Group this summer to connect with others and grow your list of passengers who support your spiritual growth. The directory opens May 31.
Prayer:
God, help me walk closely with you. Surround me with people who will encourage me toward faith and obedience, not fear and convenience. Please give me the wisdom to stay when you say wait, and the courage to go only when you are with me. In Jesus name, amen.
This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the Daily LivingItOut.