Before God will bring you into new areas of blessings He will prepare you to receive them. Our challenge is believing and taking steps to respond in faith to demonstrate that we in fact believe God’s promises and trust Him to deliver on His promises.
RELEVANCE
After the long wilderness season (40 years in this case) it was time for the children of Israel to cross over the Jordan Riverand possess the land God had promised. God reminded them that the way of life under Moses (thin on grace) was over, and it was time to change their posture—attitudes and mindset—and be ready to move forward. One thing that implied was being determined to apply the lessons learned through the past trials.
Notice also, that in God’s mind He had ordained success! He had “given” the land to them. It was theirs to possess. They could only fail if they responded in unbelief or disobedience. Hear God’s declaraction:
“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Joshua 1:2-3).
Jesus said trusting faith was required to receive from God. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; 11:24). He still looks for trusting hearts; and yielding to the Holy Spirit for direction.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Have you determined in your mind that you are ready to possess God’s promises?
Do you know what God has required of you to possess the promise ahead?
Do you believe you can’t fail if you follow God’s instructions?
REFERENCES
Matthew 9:28; Luke 1:26-38