Sustaining Believe
Scripture
Exodus 12:50–52; Numbers 14:1–4; 20–23; 26–30
Digging Deeper
Believing in God reminds us as we believe we need to stay rooted in faith in Jesus, rely on God’s promises, and trust in His unchanging nature to sustain our belief. Here are some biblical steps to take as we strive to be faithful and as we sustain what we believe.
Acknowledge the need for God by being humble and admitting not being able to handle being faithful alone without God’s strength and guidance.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Seek God in prayer, bringing concerns that express fears, doubts, and needs, trusting God to provide and sustain us.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Trust in God’s sovereignty, remembering that God is in control even when circumstances are challenging, and trust that God can work out everything for good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Meditate on God’s Word for comfort, wisdom, and direction, letting His promises strengthen faith and guide decisions.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Be still and wait on God, resisting the urge to act impulsively out of fear, believing on God’s timing, and trusting that He is working through the circumstances.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
Rely on God’s strength, knowing His grace is sufficient for every situation.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Follow God’s Word faithfully, trust Him to direct every step, and know He will provide what is needed to sustain us along the way.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” (Psalm 37:5)
Surround yourself with Godly counsel, seeking advice and encouragement from trusted, spiritually mature belivers who can help you know God’s will.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)
Praise God for His faithfulness and sovereignty in the circumstances, knowing God holds the solution.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Rest in God’s peace, surrender your worries to Him, and trust Him to sustain you.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
By being mindful of these steps, God allows us to confidently believe and sustain, knowing through Christ Jesus, His love and provision are unfailing, and we will endure and allow our belief to take root until the end.
What Not To Miss
Main Point:
You must endure the sabotages for BELIEVE to SUCCEED.
BELIEVE will only SUCCEED if you endure the Saboteurs.
In two years, a generation went from BELIEVING to DISBELIEVING.
There were ten times the Israelites tested God in two years and treated Him with contempt, which means they rejected God, reviled and despised Him, and treated Him disrespectfully.
1. Pharaoh pursued the Israelites at the Red Sea. (Exodus 14:10–12)
2. Complaint about water at Marah. (Exodus 15:22–24)
3. Complaint about being hungry. (Exodus 16:1–3)
4. Complaint about being thirsty. (Exodus 17:1–3)
5. Built a golden calf to worship. (Exodus 32)
6. Offered strange/unauthorized fire for sacrifices. (Leviticus 10:1–3)
7. Complaint about their hardships. (Numbers 11:1–3)
8. The mixed multitude complain about the manna. (Numbers 11:4–6)
9. Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses. (Numbers 12)
10. The bad report the spies gave. (Number 14)
From the ten times they treated the Lord with contempt, at least five saboteurs
of BELIEVE can be extrapolated.
Saboteur #1—Freezing Fear (Numbers 13:31)
Fear freezes us from following God’s will.
Is there anything you BELIEVE God can’t do?
Saboteur #2—Faulty Focus (Numbers 13:33)
Looking at the wrong things, which were circumstances rather than what God said and had promised them.
A faulty focus can lead to a failing faith.
Saboteur #3—Atrocious Attitude (Numbers 14:2–4)
For two years, they complained and grumbled on many occasions, and they failed to give glory to God. Instead, they gave God grief and grumblings.
Atrocious attitudes lead to awful actions, murmuring leads to misery, and complaining is cancerous.
Saboteur #4—Treasonous Tactics (Numbers 14:4, 10)
For two years, they have displayed treasonous tactics and fleshly fits.
They acted contrary to the will and ways of God.
Saboteur #5—Burdensome Baggage (Numbers 14:32-35)
Israel lived a defeated freedom and in suspended disbelief.
Israel didn’t BELIEVE, so they will not SEE. God cannot take a people into His Promise and His Purpose that fail to leave enslavement.
You cannot experience God’s BEST living in your WORST.
In summary,
BELIEVE didn’t SUCCEED because it didn’t take root.
Principle:
Continued disobedience distances one from God and eventually leads to disbelief of God.
The number ten meant completeness.
Ten Plagues—God’s complete, divine authority over Egypt, Pharaoh, and their gods.
Ten Commandments—God’s complete, divine authority over Israel and their life.
Ten times, Israel tested and treated the Lord with contempt, which signifies their completeness and overwhelming pattern of living. This is who they were.
Ten represents that the Israelites never set their eyes and heart on YHWH. As a result, they failed to sustain the BELIEF they had early on.
These saboteurs can sabotage your FAITH—Your BELIEVE—and can prevent you from SEEING and EXPERIENCING God’s PROMISE, God’s PEACE, God’s truer REDEMPTION, and God’s PURPOSE for you.
Many so-called Believers/Christians and many churches get stuck in the transition.
They never fully realize the redemption, peace, and purposes of God because they let the thief steal, kill, and destroy their BELIEVE… their FAITH.
They never fully experience the longevity of God’s sustained work in their midst because they let the saboteurs of BELIEVE keep them from faithfulness.
As a result, they wander through life, they wander through the years, spinning their wheels and living on the merry-go-round of wavering weak faith.
Eight ongoing signs and support that God gave to sustain BELIEVE that Joshua and Caleb clung to:
1) Their BAPTISM through the Red Sea. (Exodus 14; 1 Corinthians 10:1–2)
2) The SPIRIT leading them through the wilderness. (Exodus 13:22)
3) The thirst-quenching WATER of God. (Exodus 15:25; 17:1–7)
4) The satisfying BREAD of God. (Exodus 16)
5) The Banner of God. (Exodus 17:8–15)
6) The LAW of God. (Exodus 20–30; Leviticus)
7) The tabernacling PRESENCE of God. (Exodus 36–40)
8) The LEADERS God chooses to lead them are the prophet (Moses) and the priests (Aaron).
Eight signs and support that are seen in the New Testament:
1) Baptized in Christ.
2) Indwelt with the Holy Spirit.
3) Quenched by the Living Water.
4) Satisfied with the Bread of Life.
5) Brought under the Banner/Victory of God.
6) Given the Law of Jesus.
7) Transformed into the tabernacling presence of God.
8) Sent leaders to oversee us, lead us, speak the word to us, and keep us focused on Jesus and the mission to which God has given His people.
These are all things that Jesus has done for us in order to sustain the BELIEVE in us! By clinging to Jesus, BELIEVE takes root in our hearts and lives.
Clinging to Jesus is the only way to endure the saboteurs and sabotages.
Life Application
Sustaining our life and faith in God is a journey that requires intentional effort, reflection, and dependence on God’s grace and mercy. This week, choose one thing that will nurture and strengthen what you believe, and write a prayer that reinforces what you believe. An example would be to share with God what you believe about Him and how you will rely on Him for the next steps in your faith journey.
Small Group Discussion Questions
What habit do you find it easy to sustain throughout the year?
How did Moses sustain what he believed through good times and difficult situations?
What were the ten ways that Israel rejected God in Exodus and Numbers?
How do the five things that were saboteurs of Israel still affect us today?
How will your faith in Jesus help you sustain your faith amid saboteurs and sabotages?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Sustain-Psalm 55:2; Isaiah 46:4; Psalm 54:4
Day 2: Courage-Psalm 27:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; Philippians 4:13
Day 3: Peace-Matthew 11:28; Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7
Day 4: Trust-Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 40:31
Day 5: Faithfulness-Lamentations 3:22-23; Philippians 1:6; Psalm 36:5
Prayer
Dear Lord, even as I faithfully believe in You, I know I often come to You burdened with baggage and weary, surrounded by overwhelming circumstances that can cause uncertainty and doubt. Sometimes, my heart is heavy, and my faith feels fragile, and I often find it hard to sustain what I believe. I struggle to understand whatever I am facing and know I need to trust You and hold on to what I believe about You as Caleb and Joshua did. Through all this, it is comforting to know You are my refuge and strength and are with me through all things. As I face situations, give me focus, wisdom, and clarity to navigate these situations and the courage to face each moment with trust in You. Help me to remember that nothing is beyond Your power to redeem, restore, and bring good out of what seems to be bad or impossible situations.
I surrender my fears and doubts to You, knowing You are in charge of everything. Fill me with Your strength and guide me, showing me the next steps to providing for my every need. Surround me with Your love and the support of those who can guide and encourage me to sustain what I believe. I am thankful that You love me and are my rock, fortress, and deliverer.
