What
was God's BEST for the children of Israel in
the Old Testament? The Promised Land! Otherwise known as the
land of Canaan...flowing with milk and honey! What kept them
from experiencing the Promised Land when they were supposed
to? Doubt and unbelief...disobedience! What is God's BEST
for His children today? Life abundant. Joy unspeakable and
full of glory. Hearts and minds guarded by His perfect
peace. Favor, blessings, healing, unconditional love,
forgiveness, hope, mercy, reconciliation, promises, power,
etc., etc., etc. When Joshua and Caleb went into the land to
"spy it out", they did so because God wanted them
to. It wasn't about gaining their approval of the
land...whether it would be possible to take it or not. God
was offering confirmation of His promise! The reconnoiter
was to be an encouragement...an incentive to be
obedient...to receive the promise! Instead, it proved to be
the undoing of the other 10 spies...and unfortunately, all
the Israelites over the age of 20! God didn't send the spies
into the land so he could hear their opinion of it. He
wasn't seeking an appraisal. He was revealing His
goodness...His heart...His love! How often do we seek God,
only to question Him (His Word), or become opinionated when
He answers?! Do we take God at His Word? Are we obedient, in
spite of circumstances, and appearances? The Israelites,
looked at the land and the GIANTS through their fleshly
eyes. They looked at the situation as though it was up to
them...they would have to conquer! Consequently, they
determined (10 of them anyway) the task was too big. They
made up their MINDS...taking the land would be far too
dangerous! Their choice was based on their logic, not their
trust. Joshua and Caleb disagreed. They believed the
land was good, knowing that God had ensured their
victory...in fact the giants were not even an issue to
them...they were of no consequence...God was with them...the
land would be taken...they would receive the promise!
Unfortunately, those who doubted received a curse instead of
the promise! Blessed and highly favored, Joshua and Caleb
received the promise, although, it was delayed forty years!
What about us? Are we receiving the promises of God in our
lives? Or, are we doubting and confused? God has so many
promises for us to believe and receive...but it IS up to us.
We should tell ourselves every morning, "Walking in the
Spirit and receiving the promises of God is up to me...I
have to choose to receive...to believe...to stay in step
with the Holy Spirit." God has laid out His plan
for our lives, it is evident in His Word! We must trust! We
must believe, and walk accordingly! Jesus gave us His Holy
Spirit so we could discern and know what is righteous and
true. We need to learn to respond with confidence to the
Spirit. We need to realize the difference between
confirmation and mere possibility. Trusting hearts will be
rewarded! When God, through His Spirit confirms something to
us, we need to respond quickly with boldness. The Lord is
moving in His body. You and I are part of that body. When we
see a situation through His eyes, we can do as His mind
instructs...or we can resist, missing the blessing of His
promise. The greatest promise we can ever receive, walk in,
and be blessed by is the promise of the Holy Spirit. May we
have our eyes opened to Him! May our minds be the mind of
Christ. May we not allow our own (fleshly) minds to
supercede His will...His BEST for us. Please understand, I
am not suggesting we control God, but we do control how we
respond to His authority. We do have the God given right to
choose...He has never taken that away from us. Our choices
can move us into the realm of promise, or into the realm of
disappointment and confusion...it is up to us...we can take
it or leave it...we choose...every day. I pray we will be
like Joshua and Caleb, and move in the Spirit as He leads. I
pray we will walk in the blessings of His promises. May we
agree to pray for fresh revelation, and the unction to ACT.
Until next time, be blessed with HIS BEST!
Your
Partner in Ministry,
Greg McCowen
Covenant Life Fellowship - Lubbock
Church - (806) 771-4244
