In what ways can we trust God's promises like the children in Deuteronomy 1:39? Context: Deuteronomy 1:39 “‘And the little ones you said would become plunder—your sons who do not yet know good from evil—will enter the land. I will give it to them, and they will possess it.’” What Israel’s Children Teach Us About Trust • God distinguished the children from the unbelieving adults; their innocence did not nullify His promise. • He spoke with certainty—“I will give it to them”—showing His word is irrevocable (Numbers 23:19). • The promise was land; the principle is larger: God fulfills every word He speaks (Joshua 21:45). Reasons We Can Trust God’s Promises Today • His character is unchanging—“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). • His promises are guaranteed in Christ—“For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Him” (2 Corinthians 1:20). • He has a flawless record—prophecies fulfilled in history prove His reliability (Isaiah 44:26). • He stakes His own glory on keeping His word (Ezekiel 36:22–23). • He invites childlike faith—“Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Ways to Exercise Childlike Trust 1. Take God at His Word • Read and memorize specific promises (Psalm 119:11). • Refuse to reinterpret them through doubt or culture. 2. Obey Quickly • When Israel’s children grew up, they crossed the Jordan promptly (Joshua 3). • Swift obedience declares, “God knows best” (James 1:22). 3. Refuse Fearful Narratives • The parents saw giants; the children inherited vineyards (Deuteronomy 6:10–11). • “Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). 4. Celebrate Past Faithfulness • Keep a journal of answered prayer (Psalm 77:11–12). • Share testimonies; remembrance fuels future trust (Revelation 12:11). 5. Anchor Hope Beyond Circumstances • Like the wilderness children, trust during “in-between” seasons (Romans 4:20–21). • Hold fast “without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Promises Worth Grasping with Childlike Confidence • Provision—Philippians 4:19 • Guidance—Proverbs 3:5-6 • Presence—Matthew 28:20 • Peace—Isaiah 26:3 • Eternal Life—John 10:28 Living as Modern Heirs of the Promise • We stand where the wilderness generation’s children once stood—on the brink of fulfilled promise. • Trust shifts from self-reliance to God-reliance, just as the young Israelites depended on His pledge. • As we believe, we inherit not a strip of land but “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade” (1 Peter 1:4). |
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