We Never Did It That Way Before

Any pastor can tell you those are the seven deadliest words in any church. I, personally, feel like they are a death sentence not only in church, but in any endeavor of your life.

What if Noah had told God,"No one's ever built a boat before." Or Moses, "No one's ever parted a sea before." or Joshua, "No one's ever won a battle by just walking around before." Even in the New Testament you see places where great acts of faith would have never happened if they accepted this attitude. What if Mary and Martha told Jesus, "Well, you know, nobody has ever risen anyone from the dead before. Don't embarrass yourself trying." Or if Peter had said, "No- body's ever walked on water before. I think I'll stay in the boat like the other eleven."

The list goes on and on. David once he saw Goliath saying, "Oops, I never fought anyone that large before. Think I'll go back home." Or Esther saying, "No queen has ever approached the king unbidden without dying, I'm sorry all those Jews have to die, but I think I'll keep my Jewishness a secret and stay in the harem."

Off the top of my head, I only remember one time God allowed someone to say, "We've never done that before." That was the ten spies who said, "We've never fought giants before. We are as grasshoppers in their eyes. Let's just stay here where we know it is safe." That one cost the Israelites forty years in the wilderness.

God gives us many promises that should drive the "We-never-did-it-that-way-befores" away.
In 2 Kings 6:16 He says, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." In Philippians 4: 13 He says, "I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me." Finally, in Psalms 27: 14 God says, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

That last passage gives us the key to great and might things, "wait on the Lord." Whether or not we have ever done it before, if we wait on the Lord instead of running ahead of Him, making plans, then asking Him to bless them, we will be successful even though "We have never done it that way before." God is full of blessings and surprises just waiting for us to wait on Him.

If you still aren't sure, just ask Balaam. When was the last time a donkey spoke to you and saved your life? I bet that never happened before!