Four years ago an uneven sidewalk tripped me up and down I went. I needed an ER visit due to a dislocated shoulder. My sister tripped on a carpet recently and down she went. Thankfully, she just received some bruising. This world is full of things that can derail where we want to go. It’s especially true spiritually.
For believers, we must remain attentive to the snares that lay before us. The words of Moses in Deuteronomy 28 are a good reminder. After the long journey from enslavement in Egypt, the Israelites were camped outside the promised land that God had told them they would occupy. Their journey lasted longer than normal due to all the uneven sidewalks and carpets getting in their way. They kept tripping over any and all things that derailed their focus and obedience to God.
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Verses 1-3 ESV)
What was Moses wanting God’s people to understand?
- A believer is to obey the voice of God. Not any god, but the LORD your God’s voice. Do you engage with all three persons of the Trinity? You need all three to live out the faith that God is desiring to give you. The enemy will trip you up by letting you believe in God the Father and maybe God the Son, but ignore God the Holy Spirit; thus, you will not fully obey. Partial obedience is disobedience; study King Saul in 1 Samuel as an example.
- A believer is careful to do ALL that God commands of him. Is your heart and mind alert to His presence?
- A believer will be blessed by eternal gifts that help build God’s Kingdom, IF you obey His voice.
The Israelites were going to have to stay focused on God and follow His lead as they reside in the land promised to them. They struggled getting there, and surely they will struggle in the days to come, unless they keep themselves from tripping. Can they do it? How about you? According to God’s Word, no one can without the help of God.
Every believer must learn to hear God’s voice personally. He gives the how-to in the Bible. Peter tells believers in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Also read Romans 10:17, Acts 17:30, 2 Corinthians 710, Luke 13:3. Look up other verses. God makes it abundantly clear how to be saved from this sinful world.
So, humor me for a minute, I saw this meme on social media. We know the story of Snow White. She allowed herself to be easily tripped up by an apple, just like Adam and Eve. I believe I wouldn’t be so naive if someone offered me an apple. I could take it or leave it. But, present in front of me cookies, brownies, mochas, or chocolate and I’d cave. What trips you up? Tell God and ask Him to help you.
In Malachi 3:6-15, we learn why we lose our footing, and what God offers to help us get back on track with Him. Why do we allow ourselves to trip up? God says its because we scorned His decrees and failed to obey them; see verse 7. Scorn means to openly dislike and disrespect something; indignation. To accept God’s love, we must concede to His authority in all areas. God also says that we cheat Him. We cheat Him by withholding what is due to Him; see verse 8.
And what is due to God? Verse 10 answers the question, “Bring ALL the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple.” When the Holy Spirit leads you, your whole life becomes His and every part of you takes on the likeness of Christ. Your desire to walk in obedience grows.
We also speak ill of God. Hard times makes us doubt and wander away. We question why even serve God? What have we gained in doing so? When our flesh takes control, we become arrogant; study Proverbs 27:1 and James 4:13-17 to gain insight into our disobedient ways.
What God wants us to learn is that we cannot function outside of Him. What is so amazing is that He is the God that walks with us and helps us in everything! He is faithful to keep our feet steady in Him and He will keep us from tripping.
