WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO ENTER YOUR PROMISE LAND?

Scripture:  Acts 10:34

“Then Peter began to speak I now know how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

What an awesome God we serve!  I like to call Him the “Equal Opportunity God.”  He is no respecter of persons but does respect those who honor and revere Him.  He is the One who respects faith.  Do you know why?  It gives Him the opportunity to act on the faith you release with your prayers and actions.  True faith is the ability to trust the only True God and Jesus Christ, and to have confidence in the promises that He has given us to live by.

There is a powerful story in Numbers 13 where God told Moses to send 12 leaders to spy out the promise land, He had prepared for them.  I believe God was excited about His children finally being able to enter their promise land but something very interesting happened.

All the twelve leaders saw a land flowing with milk and honey but there were giants in the land.  Ten of the leaders came back to the people reporting: “The land was flowing with milk and honey, and it was also flowing with giants.  We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Because of their fear based on what they saw with their natural eyes and their negative thinking, they assumed that they looked like grasshoppers.

The other two leaders reported: “The land we passed through is exceedingly good and, if the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us and give us the land, only do not be afraid of the people.”

But the whole assembly listened to the negative report, and completely overlooked the fact that the promise land was flowing with all they had ever desired. The only two that entered the promise land were Joshua and Caleb because they stood in faith and trust that God would be with them.

The others missed getting what God had planned for them because they saw themselves in their own abilities and because they lacked trust in God’s promise to them and His ability working through them to enter into abundant living.  The negative report believed caused them to forfeit blessings that God had in store for them. It is interesting that the ones bringing back the negative report were leaders.

What does this mean for us today?  Hebrews 4:2 says “For we have heard the Good News just as they did.  They heard the message, but it did no good because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith!

Think about the essence of the story and how it may relate to your life.  Do you have a tendency to listen to negative reports?  Do you frequently join in with friends, family or co-workers who often talk about how bad things are? Are there situations where you see yourself as a grasshopper rather than someone created in the image and likeness of God?

Genesis 1:27 says: “So God created mankind in His own image, in His own likeness, He created them male and female.”

God did not create humanity to be fearful, frail or insignificant.    He created us to be Co-laborers with Him according to                  1 Cor. 3:9!

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV is a life enhancing verse everyone should memorize and receive it with faith that if God said it, and we have faith in His Word, not someone else’ word, it will come to pass!

“For I know the PLANS I have for you, declares the Lord, PLANS to prosper you and not to harm you, PLANS to give you hope and a future.”

And, I love the same verse in the King James Version which says:  “For I know the THOUGHTS that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

God has you on His mind!

Does your future feel overwhelming because of what you see going on around you?  If there are negative reports going on around you remember Joshua and Caleb’s actions and refuse to join in.  Often it is people who see themselves independent of God who accept what others are saying about situations. It is important to be mindful that because of these 10 men coming back with a bad report the whole nation, except for two, were made powerless.  Joshua and Caleb got to experience all the major blessings! 

A case in point that I wrote about in my small FOCUS FAITH book:

 I remember when I was working for an international company that sold equipment for making fabrics.  During coffee breaks and at lunch time, many of the staff members would sit together and gripe and complain about the company and employer and all kinds of negative things were said about their jobs.  I had learned the principle of being mindful of what I agreed with people about as well as being appreciative I had a job, so I didn’t enter into the conversations when there was so much discontent.  I was often made fun of by some of the staff.  But when the day came for salary reviews each one filed past my desk in frustration after having been told there was a freeze on wages.  I was later called in by the VP of Finance and was told I would be getting an increase and, it was a substantial one.  I am fully persuaded that if I had joined in with the negative crowd as the Israelites had done, I would not have gotten the increase.  I probably would have forfeited it!

Isaiah 57:19 “I create the fruit of the lips…...!”

We can expect good things from God just like He planned good things for the Israelites but let us be mindful to believe and receive the words and promises of a loving faithful God and not doubt and unbelief from others!

For us, as believers in Christ through accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we have been transferred out of bondage to live in liberty and freedom through faith in His word.

Colossians 1:13 NLT “For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.”

Rise up in faith knowing that God plus you equal a majority!  Allow God to show Himself strong on your behalf by believing His promises are for you and those you pray for.

After all, Jesus did say, “WITH GOD, nothing shall be impossible to those who believe.” Mark 9:23 NKJV

Today, I encourage you to set your heart and determine you will not let what others think, say, or feel hinder you from entering the promise land God has for you!