Walking Into Promise
Trusting God’s guidance is like following a GPS; we listen and move forward, confident that He will lead us into His promises.
Devotional Credit: Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra
Photo Credit: Unsplash
This reading invites us to glimpse how people in the Old Testament lived by God’s grace, even though they were under the law. The law could never supply life or power; without God’s work on their behalf, all they had was human strength—which was never enough. When twelve spies returned from exploring the Promised Land, ten of them measured the giants and fortified cities against their own abilities. Their conclusion was rooted in human perspective: “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” They forgot God’s promise, and their fear turned into rebellion.
Joshua and Caleb responded differently. Their hearts were so distressed by the unbelief around them that they tore their clothes. They pleaded with the people, reminding them that if the Lord delighted in them, He would surely bring them into the land. Their faith rested not on what they saw but on who God was. They urged their community not to rebel by fearing the people but to remember that the Lord was with them. These two men illustrate what it looks like to live by grace: trusting in God’s sufficiency, not their own.
Bob Hoekstra’s reflection helps us understand that living by grace is about reliance on God at work in and through us. It is a refusal to allow circumstances to dictate our belief. The ten spies focused on problems, turning them into mountains that discouraged faith. Joshua and Caleb focused on God’s presence and promises. Their example shows us that the way we view situations matters. When we choose trust over fear, we step into the blessings God has for us.
We can thank Bob Hoekstra for pointing us back to this timeless truth. Life lived by grace refuses to compare human strength against obstacles; instead, it rests in the assurance that the Lord delights in us and is with us. It calls us to see beyond what we can calculate and to walk forward in obedience, confident that God will fulfill His word.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, do not measure your future by what you see with natural eyes. Remember the report of those who looked at giants and feared. In My eyes, there is no obstacle too great. When you trust Me, you honor Me. I have promised to bring you into all that I have prepared. If I delight in you—and I do, because you are united with My Son—then I will surely give you what I have promised.
Do not rebel by fearing what others fear. Fear is a form of unbelief that forgets My presence. Instead, stand firm in the truth that I am with you. I have not called you to compare your strength with your challenges; I have called you to rely on My strength in you. You are a new creation. You have died and been raised with Jesus, and My life is your life.
Let My promises be your focus. When you feel outnumbered or overwhelmed, let your heart be lifted in trust. I am the Lord who delights in obedience born from faith. I do not delight in sacrifices offered from fear or guilt. Offer Me your trust, and you will see Me work on your behalf. You can walk into the land I have for you, not by your might, but by My Spirit.
Scripture References: Numbers 13:27-31; Numbers 14:6-9; 1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 6:4-11; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 2:13; Matthew 6:25-33; John 15:4-5; Romans 8:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 4:4; Psalm 37:4-5; Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6; Proverbs 3:5-6.
Real-Life Analogy
Using a GPS to navigate a new route is a daily act of trust. You set your destination, listen to the directions, and follow them even when the road ahead feels unfamiliar. You don’t try to override the instructions with your own guesswork or stop in fear when the route leads through unknown streets. You trust the system’s guidance, one turn at a time.
As you face situations that challenge your faith, you can quietly trust the Lord to lead you. Instead of worrying about your ability to handle the path, you can say something like, “Lord, thank You for guiding me right now; I depend on You to navigate this situation through me.” Whether you are stepping into a new job, confronting a difficult conversation, or waiting for provision, relying on His direction transforms anxiety into peaceful obedience.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that I do not face life alone. You delight in me because I am in Your Son, and You have promised to lead me into Your best. I praise You that I do not have to measure my strength against my challenges, because Your strength is my sufficiency. I rest in Your presence and Your promises, trusting that You will accomplish all You have spoken. You are with me, and I will walk forward in obedience and gratitude.