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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Your Promised Land


Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NIV).

The Israelites had wandered for many years knowing God's Promised Land waited. When it was just within their grasp, they just couldn't face the giants in order to get it. They sat for years knowing their promise was just within reach. But they also knew that they would have to fight for it. It would not be handed to them on a silver platter. They lived in fear of what it might cost.

Does this sound like us? We can see God's promise for our lives, but we just can't make the commitment to reach for it because of the fear of what it will cost us. It might cost money or time or work. But that is not the most important cost.  It will cost faith. That is the payment that is required. We want the promise, but we don’t want to face the giant of our own fear of what may happen. Our promised land is within reach, but it requires obedience, commitment, and trust in God's faithfulness.

God told His people then, and He tells us now, to be strong and courageous, to be obedient and committed. Know the Word. Fill your mind and heart with its promise and the strength that it brings to receive His promise. Do not be afraid, and never be discouraged. Reach out and make the commitment that is needed to receive His promise. Disillusionment and discouragement will vanish with commitment to Him.

Caleb was one the spies sent to calculate the cost in facing the giants in the Promised Land. He returned to the Israelites and told them it was time to move. But nobody moved. The collective fear in their lives was too great. Years would pass before the Israelites would face their fears and claim their promise.  When they finally mustered the faith to move forward, Caleb received his promise of Hebron. The lack of vision and faith of the Israelites held back Caleb’s promise. Does our lack of faith hold back another person's promise? That is something to think about. What we do and what we don't do affects others in our lives.

Are you setting on the edge of your Promised Land? “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1, NLT). Faith gives you the assurance that those giants are nothing when faced with the power of God. Faith is your confidence to move forward in His will for your life believing He brings about His promise. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36, NIV).

What is your Promised Land?




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