The day-to-day walk in this life is sometimes smooth sailing and other times a rocky road (not my favorite flavor ice cream by the way "rocky" road.). But it's by faith we walk each day. Some days though I feel like a Jew wandering in the desert (yes I'm Jewish) as the children of Israel did in the Old Testament. They believed in God, they ate, they lived, and they kept walking. They were walking by faith. Then they got to another major setback or breaking point, they lost faith, and stopped walking, yet again.

Everything - possession of the land, victory over enemies, prosperity, enjoyment of life - depended on their obedience to God's Word.* Moses reviews their journey with them by going over their travels and reminding them of all the good that happened during their wanderings. We all know the story of how God sent down manna from heaven. Moses reminded them of this and told them they should never forget that it was God who gave them all their provisions and met all of their needs. But they still didn't trust that God was in control and wouldn't let them fall.

Isn't that how it is with us? We forget much of the blessings when we're going through the trials? Moses drove home the message that the Israelites should never forget it was God who supplied all their needs and provided their abundance.* It was very important to remember THIS in order to help them continue on the journey. We too need to remember the blessings and goodness we've tasted and focus on those things to the best of our ability in order to move forward in our walk with God and in life.

This concept is like The Secret that is in the media so much right now some might think it's new. But it's not. This same message has been in front of us all along. It's just that now it's on video, CD, and in book format, and therefore has been glamorized. It's not that it's a difficult concept to follow either. It's having the support system in place to help lift you up and remind you of the things you've been blessed with before. It's thinking of the positive things of the past and using that to march forward, hence, it emphasizes positive thinking.

It reminds me of John 15:7: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." God wants us to have abundance. Unfortunately it's our own mind that sabotages our prosperity.

The support system that used to get people through hard times like the depression era is lacking in our fast paced lifestyles. In the striving for a better life, one of the things that seems to suffer most (not always, not forever, but most often) is the relationships of those we love.

This is one of the major things that's burdening the hearts of Americans. Yes there are some still blessed with a solid support system. But for those who do not have one, life can get blue. It's easy for everyone to tell you to change your frame of mind and be positive, but unless you have others around you to nurture that and help get you back on track every time you get blue, it's very hard!

When you walk by faith, life is so sweet. The answer is in being a support system to others and focusing on the triumphs in your life. Do you remember a time when even though you prayed for one thing, something even better happened? That's God. That's walking by faith.

©2007 Susie Glennan

*Reference: Walk Thru the Old Testament ©1972, 1983, 1994 by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Inc. (WTB), Atlanta, GA

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