Read Numbers 31,32
Pastor Daniel reminds us that it’s always important to understand God‘s word in context. God has delivered the people from Egypt and He is delivering them to the Promised Land. The Lord doesn’t just deliver us from something. He wants to deliver us into something new.
The tribes do not want to cross over the Jordan. This request comes with issues which Moses will address. The primary issue is that God‘s promise is on the other side of the Jordan. They’re almost where God wants them.
Let’s consider this… God‘s promises for our lives are one thing and we’re really close, but we want to stay where we are. But, deep down, what God wants for you is something more. It’s not that you’re not believing in Jesus or not serving the Lord, but you’re also not stepping all the way into what God wants for you.
Are you content where you are? Are you comfortable but not where God wants you to be? If you set the pace for your own life, you are the god of your own life. Ever since Adam and Eve, humans have a god complex. I want my life my way. When you put your faith in Jesus, you abandon your rights to live your life your way and turn them over to God. You should ask the Lord, “what do you want for my life? What are your plans?” Bow your knees voluntarily.
The problem with walking by faith is that you have to walk by faith. Take the next step that God has for you. Don’t be content to be close to the Promised Land.
The problem with making a decision that suits my needs is that it doesn’t take into account what God wants to do. Trust God, and take a step of faith into the Promised Land.
The land was won by conquest, but it wasn’t actually the inheritance. Moses is angry. Moses assumes they don’t want to go to war. When it comes to motive, ask. Don’t assume because you don’t know what is in someone else’s heart. Why? Because we always look for the worst in someone and assume the best about ourselves.
Complacency is contagious. Each of us is reproducing ourselves spiritually in the people around us. Don’t mess that up. If you are passionate, they will become passionate. Is your life promoting a spiritual complacency or is it promoting a spiritual fervency?
Don’t trust the council of people who don’t trust God. You have a new Dad now. So, we have to decide if we’re going to be a chip off the old block of our physical parents or that of our heavenly father. Not all of our parents are horrible. Some are, but who are we going to be like? The lack of faith of your parents doesn’t have to be your lack of faith.
Simply respond to Jesus. Respond to the rhythms of God‘s grace and mercy, majesty, wisdom and forgiveness. Respond to the Spirit.
Could moments like this be the most critical moment of your life? The victories of yesterday do not ensure the victories of today, or tomorrow. Think about Peter. Just because you get one thing right doesn’t mean you will get the next thing right. Just because you followed Jesus yesterday, doesn’t mean you’ll follow him today.
When was the last time you saw someone going through something and you chose to go in and join them? This is fellowship. Fellowship is when you see someone else’s struggle and you choose to join them in their struggle. Koinonia is sharing things in common. God has ministry opportunities for us by joining the people around us.
The inhabitants of the Promised Land are the Lord’s enemies. This is the Lord’s battle. Don’t think that whatever sin you’re doing right now that no one knows. Don’t be so ignorant to think that it won’t come to light. Your sin will find you out. Don’t think that God’s patience is His acceptance of what you’re doing. God is all seeing and that should change the way we live.
AWT, “it’s always easy when someone is looking over your shoulder.“ Jesus loves you too much to take His eyes off of you. He’s always looking over our shoulders. An accountability structure is necessary when you’re struggling. And we all struggle. We’re all in the process of being made new like Jesus.
What if future generations had wished their parents had gone into the Promised Land? God knows more than we do. God knows what He’s doing. Don’t settle.
https://youtu.be/Op5wVzvEcEA?si=V78kWsHdrluuHVIX
https://biblenote.topmusetech.com/shared/38253c169833467d8227c9272862f132
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