“And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way” (Num. 21:4).
Israel is a type of the Church. First Corinthians 10:11 tells us that what happened to Israel was for our admonition. Therefore, we can learn by looking at Israel. When they came out of bondage in Egypt, they headed toward the Promised Land.
Now, the Promised Land is not a picture of heaven. (It had giants to overcome, and heaven doesn’t.) The Promised Land is actually a picture of the abundant life God has for us while we’re here on earth.
Numbers 21:4 says that as the Israelites marched through the wilderness, “The soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.” The Israelites were just like the rest of us; they had a tendency to become discouraged when things got tough. But they got discouraged because they began looking at the way.
It’s easy to find natural circumstances that will discourage us if we look at them. For example, focusing on symptoms of pain or sickness in our bodies can be very disheartening.
But we choose what we’re going to look at. Will we set our eyes on the circumstances we face or on our great God and His ability to take us to our promised land of abundant life?
The Bible says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Everything God has, everything He is and everything He can do has been made available to us as we look to Him!
I keep my eyes on Jesus and His Word.
He is greater than any problem or sickness
that could ever come against me!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.