Twenty-five years had passed and two neighbors were talking. “Yea, the region is getting a bit crowded, but it’s safe and comfortable.” “You have property of your own. Actually, you are living on my land. Why don’t you take possession of your land and live there? You’ll have the room you need.” “Well, squatters are still occupying it and it’s just not worth the fight.” “But it is yours and the LORD promised all the help you need.” This could have been a dialogue between two Israelites after living in the promise land for twenty-five years. Only five tribes had claimed their land. For seven years, they killed and drove out the Canaanites. Problem was the seven other tribes settled down with them. After eighteen more years, they had not tried occupying their own land. Joshua admonished them, “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you (Joshua 18:3 NIV)?
A similar conversation could just as easily happen today. The same issue exists among Christians. Believers live a substandard spiritual life because they conquered just enough to settle down in a comfort zone and never possess the benefits Christ has provided. As a result, they struggle with sin and problems over which God has promised victory. The Lord made a covenant with Abram. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land” (Gen 12:7). God reminded Jacob, “The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you” (Gen 35:12). He has also made a covenant with believers through Jesus’ finished work. He is the mediator of a new covenant (Heb 9:15). His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life . . . (2 Pet 1:3 NIV).
The LORD promised Israel He would go ahead of them. However, we must understand what that meant. It did not mean He cleared out the enemy and Israel merely walked into an uninhabited land and moved into empty houses. “When the Lord your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you . . . seven nations greater and stronger than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them (Deut 7:1, 2). Israel had to take part in the conquest along with God. Note what this verse says. The LORD would deliver them and you (Israel) defeat them and you (Israel) shall utterly destroy them. God’s power worked through the arms, legs, swords, bows, etc. of the army of Israel. It required effort and tiring battles to inhabit the land that was theirs. The same is no less true for Christians. When we accept Christ, we can rest in the fact Jesus has conquered our enemies. However, even though they have been defeated, they remain trying to intimidate and keep us from the spiritual benefits God has given us. Like Israel, we must destroy the enemy and take control of our ‘land’.
The question we must ask is why hadn’t the seven tribes taken possession of their land. More important, why Christians aren’t enjoying victory through all God has provided. Scripture doesn’t tell us an exact reason. Had they become complacent? Were they afraid? Were they just lazy? Were they tired? Had they stopped believing? Anyone or all of these could be the cause. If you are not living by all Holy Spirit has for you, you must ask yourself, “Why am I living in defeat?” So what does He have for you? Sorry it’s not a new Mercedes or a bigger jet for your ministry; not a huge mansion; not a life without pain; etc. But is your life in turmoil? Take your peace, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you (Joh 14:27). Are you unhappy? These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full (Joh 15:11). Note other spiritual provisions we have in Him. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption (1 Co 1:30). Do you believe you are enslaved to sin? You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:18 NIV). This list could continue for multiple pages of what God wants every believer to have—hope, power, guidance, wisdom, etc.
Unlike Israel, we aren’t warring against flesh and blood; our enemies are spiritual. We take what is ours with spiritual weapons—For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2Co 10:4). It begins just like Israel—faith. When we believe God’s Word and trust Him He will empower us to drive out the enemies Jesus defeated. The original spies to Canaan saw giants and retreated because they thought there was no way they could win. Yet, Caleb and Joshua looked at the same giants and believed there was no way they couldn’t win with the Lord God helping them. If you are living a substandard spiritual life, your land is waiting for you; drive out the enemy and take possession.
Sustaining Word for the Week: How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?