Are you telling God you can’t do something?
Huh-oh.
When twelve spies, sent into the Promised Land, returned, ten of the twelve spies told the Israelites the people in the Promised Land were too strong for them and they couldn’t take the land.
“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” (Numbers 13:31)
The people agreed. They didn’t listen to God, but complained and grumbled against Him.
[They] put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice.” (Numbers 14:22)
God responded by letting everyone over 20 (except the two spies who agreed with God) die in the wilderness.
“Your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.” (Numbers 14:29)
In the New Testament we repeatedly read that someone refused to believe, and would not come to God. “Refused” or “Would not,” rather than “Could not.”
“But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:30)
“Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.” (Acts 28:24)
Refusing God has eternal consequences. Instead of dying in the wilderness, those refusing God’s invitation for belief and eternal life will die in their sins.
“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”” (John 8:24)
The Child of God
When we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit, and are enabled to follow our Lord.
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
“Might walk” is an assertion about which there is some doubt or uncertainty. We might or might not walk in newness of life.
Paul says he learned to be content in every circumstance, plenty or poverty, and that:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13)
The message to us is that if God asks us to do something, we can do it. The question is whether or not we will do it. Be clear about whether you’re saying can’t or won’t.
What to do:
When you hear yourself saying, “I can’t,” counter that lie with the truth.
You can forgive. You can be content. You can be thankful.
Determine to obey God.
Ask Him for help in doing so.
Thank Him for His faithfulness.
Say “Yes, I will” to the Lord.
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