Joel Osteen Daily Devotional 2 June 2024 – Times of Proving

Deuteronomy 8:2, NIV – Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

When the Israelites faced tests in the wilderness, they kept failing. They complained about the giants, the food, the leadership, and their inferiorities. That group never made it into the Promised Land. What would have happened if they would have dealt with that negative, complaining spirit? They could have gone in, but they let those impurities keep them out. God gave them chance after chance to change, but He would not force them to do the right thing.

Before you go into your promised land, there will be times of testing, times of proving, where you have to show God that you’ll do the right thing when you don’t feel like it. You’ll keep a good attitude when it’s not fair. You’ll deal with the impurities He brings to light. Those tests are not there to stop you; that’s a sign that God is refining you, getting you prepared for something greater, for the new things He has in store. You have to do your part and be willing to change and make the adjustments. God wants to entrust you with more.

“Father, thank You that my life as well as my promised land is in Your hands. Thank You for the times of testing, the times of proving, when I don’t always understand where You’re taking me or why. I trust You to take me through the wilderness into something bigger for my future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

About Joel Osteen
Raised in Houston, Texas, with a loving family of seven and world-renowned parents in full-time ministry, Joel Osteen never imagined that he would follow so closely in his father’s footsteps. As a young man, his training and interests were behind the scenes in television production, though he was close to his father in ministry.