“And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you; take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore; meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot-breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand; He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness; these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.”
Deuteronomy 2:4-7
It is interesting to note that during the 40 years that Israel walked in the wilderness, they lack nothing; God took care of their every need. Furthermore, by the time they found themselves leaving the wilderness and going towards the Promised Land, God would instruct them not to “meddle” with certain people they found on the way. Since, the people whose land that they would pass through had already received a previous promise from Him. In this case, the land the Israelites would pass through had already been given to the descendants of Esau and Lot; men who were highly favored by God through their own stories.
There are going to be times when there are things, people, or opportunities you desire, pray for, or simply want that have already been promised to someone else. And, in order to receive it, you will have to pay for it, sometimes dearly —simply because it is not yours for the taking, and will not come freely. There will be a cost extracted from you for the provisions you will need. However, isn't it wonderful to know that once you have been given the promise of a blessing to come, God will not allow anyone or anything to take it from you, except maybe your own arrogance and ego.
Hasn't it happened to you where you worked on a task, a job, or had an opportunity where it seemed the heavens opened for you? Everything you touched flourished easily and flawlessly; it was simply yours for the taking. Your ears were fine-tuned to God, and your steps seemed custom-ordered for you. You listened intently. Then, because of your ego, arrogance, or lack of obedience, the next tiny issue, something that should have been simple, turned into a major dilemma and somehow you had to pay for it dearly.
Take the time today to pray for a sense of discernment; the ability to know the difference between what is for you from God, and what is not. This way you don’t waste time confusing the two; trying desperately to take the things that are not for you, paying dearly; and, ignoring the things that really are for you and not seizing the opportunity. L.
Study Reference: Deuteronomy 2:2, Genesis 11:24-27, 12:1-4
From:"When It Is Not Yours." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Kian Krashesky
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