What's Your Territory to Possess?

When the Children of Israel looked out to see the land the LORD was giving them, they were amazed, and maybe still a little fearful of what that possession might mean. But they had to understand that it would not be gained in their power. They had to be strong and courageous in God's strength, not their own. 

And this is also applicable to us. We do not obtain success in our own strength or by our own accomplishments or strength.But we also need to take the steps to gain that possession of our success. 

In Joshua 1: 3 God tells them: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses."

God's encouraging Joshua to possess this Promise that was originally made to Abraham. He's being warm and tender as He tells him where this land He wants them to possess is. God also can lay out the borders of the territory He wants you to cover--if we are listening to Him. 

Further on in Joshua 1: 5 He encourages, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you."

And He doesn't stop there.

Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

 Being "strong and courageous" is repeated three times and we know that when God does this, it is extremely important. (vs. 6,7, 9) 

Applying this to your own purpose note these things:

1. You do not achieve success (God's success might look different than the world's version of success!) in your own power. It's by God's strength alone. 

2. Be strong and courageous. Do the tough things and possess that territory that God is giving you! But I caution you that you only need to be courageous and stay in God's will--then it will be easy.

3. Accept God's encouragement and rest in it. We all need encouragement. We all need to be wrapped in God's promises.


4. God never leaves you. You can shut Him out or push Him back but He doesn't leave you. So be comforted by that, embrace Him in your life, and wherever He has placed you or led you.

5. Do the work. Take the steps you need to in order to possess the Promised Land.   

Are you tripping yourself up on any of this as you seek to possess the territory that God has given you? You don't have to share the specific flaws, but if you can give encouragement to us, please let us know what helps you to move on and never give up. 

      

Who is This Who Darkens Counsel?

St. Louis Arch, St. Louis, Missouri

For all my friends who feel overwhelmed, discouraged and defeated today:
Read Job 1:6-12, chapters 38-41, 45:1-4

Job 38: 1-3

"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 'Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.'" 


In Job 38:1 God speaks out of the whirlwind because back in Job 9:17 Job was afraid that God would crush him. So, God shows He is not there to destroy him, but is breaking him into submission because he's going to restore him into being God's servant--in the role he is designed to be! 

And God speaks to us today in this very way--out of a tempest--He will cause His chosen ones to submit so we can finally serve Him and let God be the Great I Am. 

In verse 2, the theme is set for God to speak to Job. Job "darkens the counsel of the LORD. " God also challenges Job to teach Him, and this will wake Job up into seeing the consequences of Job's demands and trying be God's equal. It's all good.


Are you daring to meet God on equal footing or trying to claim the throne that belongs to God when you go through your own trials? I think we all can be guilty of it.

Feeling doubtful and hopeless about God's ability to take care of our needs--and the needs of those around us--comes from this awareness of our own limitations. God and His resources are not limited by anyone or anything. He sets the limits for us, and He sets the limits for evil. And that makes all the difference in our trust and peace. 

I do believe...I do believe...keep saying it until you do. 

Love and Peace & Praying for Joy,

  

The Winds of November

What will keep you going today? Are you feeling uncertainty and fear? Remember...


Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14

1 [Of David] Yahweh is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? Yahweh is the fortress of my life, whom should I dread?
4 One thing I ask of Yahweh, one thing I seek: to dwell in Yahweh's house all the days of my life, to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh, to seek out his temple.
13 This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh, in the land of the living.
14 Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.

The Winds of November

Chapel of the Transfiguration, Montana

“… You have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation; this is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart.”  - St. Robert Bellarmine

I will be making some changes to this blog in focus and content. My goal is encouragement for the coming days, so I hope you will return.