Small Lessons Lead to Big Successes
By Rick Warren
“Remembertoday what you have learned about the Lordthrough your experiences with him.” (Deuteronomy 11:2 TEV)
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and across the wilderness to the Promised Land. It should have only taken them a few weeks, even with a large crowd. But it took them 40 years.
What in the world were they doing? For 40 years, they were walking around in a circle. God was giving them one test after another and saying, “Will you trust me?” There were seven tests. Every time they failed the test, he sent them on another lap around the wilderness. But even in that wilderness, they were not there by accident. Waiting in the wilderness always has a purpose.
Some of you are in the wilderness right now. Remember this: The way to the Promised Land is through the wilderness. You’ve got to go through that waiting period. You’ve got to go through that desert. You’ve got to go through that dry spell.
You are waiting in the wilderness for a purpose. And while you’re waiting, you need to keep a record of the lessons you’re learning.
Numbers 33:2 says, “At the Lord’s direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress” (NLT, second edition).
The Bible also says, “Remembertoday what you have learned about the Lordthrough your experiences with him” (Deuteronomy 11:2 TEV).
Are you keeping a written record of your progress in the Christian life? Are you writing anything down? You need to start keeping a journal when you’re waiting. A journal is different than a diary. A diary is for events; a journal is for lessons.
I have learned in the waiting periods of life that little lessons lead to big successes. Some of the tiniest lessons I’ve learned in dry periods, in depressing periods, in discouraging periods have been the keys to big successes in my life. Little lessons lead to big successes. So you need to write them down!
Psalm 119:33 is a good prayer to pray when you’re in the wilderness and waiting for God to deliver you: “‘God, teach me lessons forliving so I can stay the course’ (MSG). So I don’t wander around. Teach me how to live so I can get through this with the minimum amount of time. I don’t want to be here for 40 years. I don’t want to go in circles. Teach me the lessons for life so I can stay on track and grow in spiritual maturity.”
Playtoday’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
- Why is it so hard for us to wait?
- What have you learned from the waiting periods of your life?
- Why is it important to be able to remember how God provided for you in the wilderness?
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit rickwarren.org
Daring Faith-The Key to Miracles Study Kit
Do you want God to do miracles in your life? In this series, Pastor Rick shares why faith is the key to miracles and challenges you to grow and be stretched in your faith so that you can experience God’s blessing, spiritual maturity, answered prayers, and even miracles.
This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can also listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
