Imagine this…you have favorite grandparents whom you love. You find out that they both have moved to heaven.
After some time, you get an official letter in the mail—not an email asking you to report to an attorney’s office regarding you grandparent’s will.
You read the letter, but never go to the attorney’s office.
There was a clause in the will that read like this:
DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
I devise and bequeath my property, both real and personal and wherever situated, as
follows:
1st Beneficiary
Regina Murphy, currently of 1 Hope Drive, as my granddaughter, with the following property at 555 Grace Lane and all my cash and holdings at a current estimated value of $8.7 million.
So, Regina reads the letter, knows what it says, but does not follow the instructions of that letter.
Conversely, we have all 66 Books of God’s promises.
Let’s take a look at Deuteronomy 2:31 AMP
Here, Moses and the children of Israel are on their way to the Promised Land.
“The Lord said to me, ‘Look, I have begun to hand over to you Sihon and his land. Begin! Take possession [of it], so that you may possess his land.’”
Sihon was an Amorite king mentioned in the Bible, who refused to let the Israelites pass through his country.
In biblical names the meaning of the name Sihon is rooting out, striking down, or conclusion.
Numbers 21:21-25 AMP
“Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying, “Let me pass through your land; we will not turn away [from the road] into field or vineyard; we will not drink the water of the wells. We will go by the king’s highway until we have crossed your border.” But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border. Instead Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz, and he fought against Israel. Then Israel struck the king of the Amorites with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for the boundary of the Ammonites was strong. Israel took all these cities, and settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its towns.”
Here is King Sihon, the one that roots out. The one that strikes down. The conclusion. Encountering the one true and living God through His people. God is the conclusion; He has the final word in a matter or situation.
God has given, but many times we have to take possession.
Philippians 2:12 ESV
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
He’s given us the opportunity to Live with Him forever, but you have to accept Him as Lord and Savior Romans 10:9-10
He’s given us the opportunity for a peaceful life in the midst of circumstances, not anxiousness and worry. Philippians 4:6-7
And, yes, I agree, many of our blessings are simply given by God.
Matthew 5:45b NLT
For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
So, in many instances we just need to be aware of what we already have and be thankful.
Other things are ours, but will we take possession of them. To be clear this is not a matter of works. It’s a matter of obedience.
Joshua 1:3 NIV
This is the Lord speaking to Joshua.
3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
Caleb in Joshua 14:12 ESV asks for the land that was promised him by Moses.
12 So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”
Please don’t say, “Well, that’s good for them, but I’m waiting on God.”
It’s true. Sometimes we are. But many times, it’s an excuse because we’re not doing our part.
And sometimes, He’s already given you the victory and it’s not your fault. It’s who you’re with.
Joshua and the children of Israel are going to war against Ai. Up to this point that had won every battle, but this time they lost. Let look at why.
But let’s read in Joshua 7:1, 4, and then verse 10-11 NLT
7 But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.
4 So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5 chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.
10 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
You can look at the whole story Joshua 7:1-26 and you’ll find that they followed that last instruction.
The Bible is God’s Last Will and Testament to us. Testament in Latin means “a will,” and in Greek it means “covenant.”
It’s His love letter to us—His intention for us and toward us. Unlike Regina, you don’t have to go to the attorney’s office to get it, it’s probably in your home.
But we should read it.
We should accept that fact that He wants to bless us. And if you know you’re blessed, accept the fact that God has more for you.
We must believe God at His Word.
We have to lay down our logic and lean on His wisdom.
And then, most importantly, follow His instructions.
Don’t tie God’s hands with disobedience.
It’s been said that there are over 7,000 promises in the Bible. How many have you laid claim to?
Remember our victory was won in Jesus. Taking possession of what He’s already said is ours, now that’s the point of purpose. See you next time.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thank you! https://bit.ly/youtubepointsofpurposewithanita