I've always remembered a quote from a Beth Moore Bible study I did at least fifteen years ago: "Satan is standing on your God-given-ground daring you to take possession of it."
Wondering what "land" of ours Satan is standing on, taunting us, while God is still asking us to take possession of it because He has already given it to us. We know it's ours, but we've done nothing to move towards conquering it in His Name. Procrastination has us hesitating. We need a Joshua to come and question us to put a little dynamite under our feet to get us moving. There is territory God wants us to own for ourselves but we've neglected taking control.
Promised land must be possessed. There is a tension that exists between the receiving and the responsibility. God's gifts shouldn't make us apathetic, but cause us to arise and do whatever it takes to claim what is ours in Christ. Often there is initiative that must be taken on our part to finalize the agreement. God will faithfully keep His promise, but the fulfillment involves our faith and obedience.
Where are you dragging your heels? Have you known the leading of God into new territory but you're lacking spiritual zeal to move forward? Maybe you started with great passion, but drive diminished and there is still land remaining that isn't fully occupied. You know exactly what I'm talking about. It's all those projects the Holy Spirit prompted you to do, but busyness, lack of interest, effort needed and disobedience had you walk away. Passivity isn't pleasing to the Lord and it carries great risk. It's like standing in "no-man's land". It's really not un-owned, it's just uninhabited. It's land that needs to be claimed in the name of Christ.
How long are you going to wait? You see, the entire point of a divine inheritance of any property is the actual possession of it. What good is a possession of anything if we don't actually possess it? We must exercise both will and action to deliberately take hold of what God has already graciously given. We are called to participate in the possession. Yes, God does "give", but He is developing a spiritual muscle in us as we do the "getting" so that we will also be able to do the "keeping". Some possessing won't be easy, as obstacles could stand in the way, but the muscle that is strengthened will then help us maintain the land we now possess.
I heard someone say once that our personal land of promise is where we serve at ultimate effectiveness. It's no wonder that the enemy places a river of fear at its entrance. Let's wait no longer. Rise up and live in whatever God has given! You've surveyed the land and studied the map and now it's time to step in and conquer!
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the "land" that You have called us to. We confess the uncertainty that has kept us pausing instead of possessing. We desire to cooperate with You, arising and embracing fully our allotted portion. Give us strength to occupy fully what You have already given. Change and strengthen us in the acquisition process. Possessing land takes time, sacrifice, energy and commitment. Lord, we want to occupy all that You've given us to steward. You have promised and provided, now through Your power, help us possess. May our possession not be possessive, but standing on this new ground may we give praise to You and be used for Your glory. Amen.
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