Don't Limit God

As we begin our journey, let us be mindful that we can limit God in our lives. There is a theological position that maintains that everything that happens is God's will. It is just that we can't see how it is the best thing for us; however, in the sweet bye and bye, it will all make sense. Six million Jews died in the Holocaust of which one and one half million were children. Was that God's will? Of course not! Man can limit God and prevent His best for our lives. Consider the following.

The Hebrews had just been delivered from over 400 years of bondage at the ruthless hands of the Egyptians. God tells them to take the land He has provided for them. They send spies and bring back a report that agrees that the land is full of milk and honey, but the people who occupy the land are too strong for them to overcome. There is a generally a "but" whenever people begin to limit God. Numbers 14 reads: Then all the congregation raised a loud cry; and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron; the whole congregation said to them, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why does the LORD bring us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey; would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to one another, "Let us choose a captain, and go back to Egypt." (RSV) The people have a choice to believe God or believe their opinions about themselves. God has said "Go!" and they have said "No!" Notice the bold portion. They spoke a death sentence over their lives. Hear what God Almighty said a few verses later: "How long shall this wicked congregation murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the people of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: (RSV) They spoke it; God heard it; and He gave them the fruit of their words.

Let me summarize:
1. God is listening to what you say;
2. You can speak faith and get the blessing or you can speak unbelief and write your own ticket;
3. You can limit God by your speech, but you don't have to; and
4. Death and live is in the power of the tongue.