Deuteronomy 2:37 Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.
Let God Guide Your Aspirations
Young Ronald Reagan was a college student whose aspirations were higher than most people realized but smaller than they should have been. Most people knew that he wanted to be in radio, and that’s exactly what he did after college. What they didn’t know was that he really wanted to be an actor in Hollywood; something that eventually did happen. His aspirations were higher than he actually let people know because he thought people would think him crazy if he told them what he intended. On the other hand, that aspiration turned out to be a lot lower than what he actually accomplished in life. While he played backup in B movies to actors like Errol Flynn, that was not to be the sum nor substance of his life as President of the United States.
Now whether your aspirations are too high or too low is not really the question. The question is, “Are they the right aspirations?” All of us have things we want whether people know it or not. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting something that you shouldn’t have, and nothing is more marvelous than receiving things that you would never deserve but God has given.
When Moses led the people into the land, it is interesting that before God gives them the land He tells them what land He will not give them. Verse 5 says, “Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.” He gives them the same instructions about the lands of Moab and Ammon.
What was keeping them out was not high walls, tall giants, or mighty cities, but God. In contrast, verse 24 is more of what you would expect to hear. God says, “Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.”
It doesn’t matter how big the obstacle is, if God has given you the aspiration, then God intends for you to follow through with it. The Israelites were not to fear giants or walled cities but were to stay clear of people to whom God had given the land. On the other hand, they were to take the land that He had given to them, to battle and contend for it.
Just because God has given something doesn’t mean you are not going to have to work. For instance, God may have given you a gift or ministry. Does that mean you can passively sit by and do nothing? No! God has given it; possess it and contend for it.
In the closing verses of the chapter the Bible says, “There was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us: only the land… the LORD our God forbad us.” Let God guide your aspirations. Let God give your aspirations. Let God guard your aspirations for He is the One Who gives contentment as we follow His plan for life.