Second Guessing

Deuteronomy 1-2

Second guessing is a common thing. We all do it. When we are planning where to eat, where to go on vacation, or just how to get to a destination, the idea of second guessing happens a lot. You can call it a healthy dose of reality in some cases, especially when the one we are listening to does not fill our hearts with confidence.

At the beginning of the book of Deuteronomy, we find a complete history of the Exodus of the Israelites and their travels around the desert. As you read it, it is very clear that God had His guiding hand on the Israelites no matter where they went. God had been mentioning this Promised Land to these people ever since they left Egypt.

When the Israelites left Mount Sinai, it took about two or three months before they arrived on the banks of the Jordan River, ready to enter into the Promised Land. As the Israelites were about to head into the land the Lord had promised them, we read in Deuteronomy 1:22, “Then all of you came to me and said, ‘Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and towns we will come to.’ The idea seemed good to me.”

These words came right after the Lord told them to “Go and occupy it as the Lord, the God your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged!”

How many times have we said, “The idea seemed good to me,” and things ended up costing us dearly in the end? We know that Caleb and Joshua were the only ones to bring a good report, and the other 10 spies told a very different story. It may seem completely normal to want to know where we are going or what we are getting into. Planning is a good thing. Proverbs even says it is wise to plan and store up for the future.

I would be lying if I told you that planning was the only thing we need to complete any journey. You see, even if we get some temporary permission to see what we will walk through, the majority of the time it will overwhelm us and cause us to backtrack and second guess the power of walking with God, just like 10 of the 12 spies did.

Today, instead of wondering where you are going, trust God and just keep walking forward with Him. Everything God said the Israelites would conquer, they did when they obeyed Him. Maybe you’re too focused on planning your steps to even hear God directing your path? Psalms 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delights in his way.” Delight in the steps God has given you today because even though you may stumble, He will pick you up and give you the strength to take the next step. We don’t always need to see the end of the journey. We always start with the end in mind, but trusting in the Lord means delighting in His ways and resting in the understanding that He has your steps already ordered. All we have to do is keep moving forward.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust in You. I pray that I delight myself in Your ways, knowing You are directing my steps. I don’t have to see the end because I know You are already guiding me every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.