Are You Testing God’s Patience?

“Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him half enough? Psalm 106:2 NLT

Are you testing God’s patience? Have you lost your momentum? Most of us know the story of the Israelites, God’s people who were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years. At their cries of groaning, God sent Moses and rescued them from their bondage with tremendous miracles and the promise of a good land, a land of “milk and honey.”

Yet the Bible says the people were unimpressed with God’s miracles. Sure, they rejoiced after they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and then watched the waters rush back in, destroying their enemies. But afterward, they quickly turned away from the Lord.

The Bible recounts, “Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! In the wilderness, their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry land.”

The sad story continues, “They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull! They forgot God, their savior…” (Psalm 106:13–14, 20–21 NLT).

Ultimately, they refused to enter the promised land and wandered in a desert for 40 years.

What are you doing in this valley? If it’s turned dry and desperate and if the promised land seems to have moved out of reach, it’s a good time to check your faith. Have you forgotten the faithfulness of God and turned aside to careless desires or lazy living? Have you discounted his goodness and through unbelief, exchanged your relationship with the living God for the ways of the world?

These are tough questions to ask, but if you’ve lost the vision and the desire to move towards the wonderful promises of God, you’ve got to look deep inside. If you’ve grown doubtful in this journey, remember the miracles. Remember the faithfulness of God and be thankful. Regain your momentum by praising God for his goodness.

Pray:“God, I confess my unbelief. Help me to believe in all your good promises! Save me out of this valley and help me move forward into your promised land. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Seek: Have you discredited God’s goodness in your life? Make a list of the good things he has done in your life so far. Praise him for those things and regain your forward movement.

Speak: I will not forget. I will praise the Lord for all his goodness towards me.