2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. 9 The children of Ephraim, [being] armed, [and] carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. 10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; 11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. 12 Marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, [in] the field of Zoan. 13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap. … 21 Therefore the LORD heard [this], and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; 22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: … 32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. … 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, [and] grieve him in the desert! 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. … 54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, [even to] this mountain, [which] his right hand had purchased. … 60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent [which] he placed among men…  [Psa 78:2-13, 21-22, 32, 40-41, 54, 60-61 KJV]

Is it possible for mortal man to limit God? I don’t know any other way to interpret the Scripture portions above. It has caused me to think differently about prayer and simple obedience on my part.

As in the case of the testing in the wilderness and the command to enter the “sanctuary,” God will not ultimately be thwarted but our own lack of faith or obedience could make us the losers and “limit” what God really wanted to do and when He wanted to do it.

He has given us a clear indication of His intentions with regard to the nations of the earth.  We can be assured that some from every tribe and nation will be around the final throne room scene.  I think that one reason the day and the hour hasn’t been announced is because our own obedience or lack thereof could be “limiting the Holy One of Israel.”  Could it be that even our lack of intercessory prayer could be limiting God?  Jesus taught us to pray “Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.”  Could some of the lack of fulfillment on earth be because of our own prayerlessness?  Or could it be because, like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we falter in unbelief and disobedience because of the giants instead of lifting our eyes to a Great and Powerful and Waiting God?

God Bless,