Sometimes, in order to get to the promise, we have to stand before a monster. The path to the sacred and wonderful place God wants to take us is not one of least resistance. We gaze forward, and we see monsters looming on the horizon – circumstances, individuals, problems, and heartaches that appear too big for us to handle.
So it was for God’s people when He called them to take over the Promised Land. Just about to enter the fields of blessing, the Israelites were reminded of this life’s harsh realities. “Hear, O Israel! You are crossing over the Jordan today to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, great cities fortified to heaven, a people great and tall, the sons of Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?'” (Deuteronomy 9:1-2, NASB) What a difficult thing to hear! God clearly explains that His own people are about to come face-to-face with mighty giants. The enemy is bigger than them and stronger than them. Not only so, but the reputation of the enemy is well-known across the land so that many ask, “Who can even survive and stand before these monstrous people?”
A similar question often rings in our own hearts. How can I survive the monsters in front of me? I see them. I hear them. I know that they are real. Others confirm that they are real. They are bigger than us. They are stronger than us. By all logical thinking, we are doomed. The job loss should ruin our finances. The illness should destroy us. The circumstantial setback is one from which we should not recover. The troubled relationship should ruin our family. The human enemy should do us harm. The burden should drive us to insanity. The grief should completely stifle us. The unanswered questions should keep us up at night.
But, they don’t. Even though the monsters are bigger than us, they are not bigger than our God! He is a “consuming fire.” Nothing will stand in His path against His will and be able to remain. He consumes the giants that would consume us! Listen to the resounding answer given to the threat of looming giants on the horizon, “Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you” (Deuteronomy 9:3, NASB).
As you look longingly for the “land of promise,” what monsters stand on the border – threatening your demise? Does all common sense declare these giants are mightier than you? Do not fear. They are mightier than you, but they are absolutely helpless compared to God. He goes before you, defying all scary reports and difficult realities. He is a consuming fire, eliminating the monsters that cruelly threaten His people.
Child of God, you will enter into the promise of God for your life because you Lord is infinitely strong and wonderfully alive. He consumes what stand against His children – no matter how ominous the giants appear. We will stand before the monsters, but the consuming fire will lead the way.