Words from the Lord:
"Take possession of what I have given you and entrusted to you. Guard it, and command the enemy to hands off. Hang on strong. Your patience and perseverance will pay off. I will give you the wisdom that you need, step by step, every step of the way."
To the Israelites and their journey to Canaan those days, their Promised Land was already waiting for them to take possession of - the land flowing with milk and honey, where there is provision, protection, and blessing!
How about you? What is your 'Promised Land'? For different people, it may be different. For some, it may be to start a business. For some, it may be to see a specific healing happening. For some, it may be to live a debt-free life. Yet for some others, it may be freedom from a certain addiction.
Whatever your 'Promised Land' may be, here are the 7 steps on how to take possession of it!
1. Remember God's covenant and vision for you!
Genesis 17:1-4 (NKJV) says, 'When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father to many nations."'
Never forget God has made a covenant with you the moment you are born again. Never forget God has good plans and purposes for you all the days of your life. Never forget all the promises God has made in order to bless you. Because you are the heir of Abraham by faith. Keep meditating on what God has spoken to you, and do not let it depart from your eyes!
2. Allow God to change you for the new season!
Genesis 17:5-8 (NKJV) says, "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come to you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
From Abram ('exalted father') to Abraham ('father of multitude of nations'), there was a name change for Abraham. A change of name speaks of a change of identity, or even a change in character. From being just a father to his family clan, the Lord expanded his vision and horizon to being a father of multitude of nations!
Of course, for you, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to change your name. But you can ask the Lord what are the areas in your life that need change. Allow Him to change you in those areas. That's how you'll be well positioned and well prepared for the many new things that God has in store for you!
3. Obey God's instructions and commands!
Genesis 22:16-18 (NKJV) says, '(Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham)... and said, "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son - blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."'
What was this thing that Abraham had done? He obeyed God's command to bring his son Isaac to Moriah and offer him as burnt offering! Of course God later provided a ram to be offered instead.
Indeed, obedience determines the outcome. Not just the major ones (like in Abraham's case here), but even the little steps of obedience that you take, all these can go a long way to determine the outcome that is favorable to you!
4. Get rid of complaints and negativity!
Numbers 13:31-33 (NKJV) says, 'But the men who had gone up with him (Caleb) said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw giants (the descendants of Anak); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."'
The background here is that Moses sent twelve spies to spy out the Promised Land, and one of them, Caleb, actually came back and said, "Let us go up to the land at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." But alas, the men who had gone up with him didn't think so. And with this bad report, the Israelites began to complain against Moses and Aaron, saying, "Why did God bring us to this land to die?" So, all these people were complaining and complaining, and they were dwelling in negativity. As a consequence, that generation died without entering the Promised Land.
So, you need to be careful if you want to possess your 'Promised Land'. Watch what you say. Watch what you think. See your 'Promised Land' with the eyes of faith!
5. Step out of your comfort zone!
Joshua 1:1-3 (NKJV) says, 'After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land I am giving them... Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you..."'
In other words, the Lord was telling Joshua, "Your senior is already gone. This is the time for you to come out of the shadow, rise up, and lead My people into the Promised Land!"
Joshua had to come out from the shadow of Moses, and from his own comfort zone, no matter how inexperienced he may be, or unprecedented it may be at that time. But the Lord also said, "Be strong and be courageous!"
Is there any area in your life that you know you've got to step out of your comfort zone in order to possess your 'Promised Land'? If yes, take that step of faith, and fear not! Just as God has spoken to Joshua, God is speaking to you too, "Be strong and be courageous! I will be with you!"
6. Stop procrastinating and start taking action!
Joshua 3:13 (NKJV) says, 'And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off...'
In order to cross the River Jordan into the Promised Land, the Israelites needed to make that first move, i.e. to step on the water! And that's when the water miraculously parted for them to cross over!
What step of faith do you need to take in this new season? If God has spoken for you to do it, don't procrastinate. Take action now. If you can do it today, don't wait till tomorrow. Don't get stuck in procrastination!
7. Persevere through it all the way!
Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV) says, 'And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.'
See the words 'until the end' here? It means to persevere! To hang on strong! There may be naysayers along the way, or there may be those who mock or ridicule you for what you do. But keep your focus on what God has spoken for you to do, never get sidetracked, and you will eventually 'reach' that 'Promised Land' of yours. Hallelujah!
