“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?
No comments:
Post a Comment