Why they failed to possess what God promised…..

“The Lord was with Judah, and [Judah] drove out the

inhabitants of the hill country,

but he could not drive out those inhabiting the [difficult] valley

basin because they had chariots of iron. “

Judges 1:19

 

“But the Benjamites did not drive out the Jebusites who

inhabited Jerusalem:

the Jebusites dwell with the Benjamites in Jerusalem to this

day. “

Judges 1:21

 

The Israelites failed to drive out the nations they were supposed

to drive out after Joshua died.

The Lord instructed them to utterly destroy the

surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 7:1-3) but somewhere

along the way the command from God was forgotten or ignored.

 

On paper the enemy was definitely stronger than Israel but

that was not a new revelation. They already knew that.

God had already proved Himself again and again that He

was stronger than the enemies who came against them.

So what happened?

Did they forget that God was more powerful than the enemy?

Did they compare their own resources and weapons against

those of the enemy?

 

Whatever they did robbed them of the promise God made to them.

They were promised land by God but were not able to possess it.

Was it fear?

Did they look at the iron chariots and let fear consume them?

Did they look at all the other tribes failing to possess their land

and think it was normal to fail? (read Judges 1)

 

Even though tribes were failing to possess the land didn’t

mean God had changed His promise.

He wanted Israel to possess the land. He didn’t want His

people to settle for less than he had promised.

He wanted them to dominate and rule.

But they settled.

They had to share the land with the enemy.

That was not God’s plan.

 

What have you settled for today?

No matter how hard things get, God does not want you to settle.

He wants you to possess the land. He wants you to walk into

EVERYTHING He has planned for you. The enemy on the

other hand would love you to settle.

 

Are you relying on your strength to fight the enemy? 

Look to the Lord’s strength as you face the enemy. When you

rely on your own strength to get you through a situation or problem

you are setting yourself up to fail. God is the One who is supposed

to fight your battles. When the enemy confronts you face to face

turn to the Lord for help. He is stronger then every problem

in your life. There is no problem stronger than Him and the

enemy knows this.

 

Are you following the crowd?

What kind of environment have you surrounded yourself

with? I spoke about this in my previous post. The people that

you surround yourself with have a great impact on your life.

Get rid of the negativity in your life.

Just because someone says something is impossible doesn’t

mean it’s true for you.

Always remember, someone else’s truth doesn’t have to be your

truth.

Your truth is what God has told you.

We make the mistake of accepting other people’s truth about

finances, health, family and so on when that truth directly

contradicts God’s word!

Let’s be aware of that.

 

The bottom line is this, God is stronger than the enemy.

We don’t have to fear, we don’t have to settle.

We can boldly confront the enemy knowing we are

not facing him alone.

You don’t have to downsize your dream.

God does not want you to downsize your dream.

The enemy on the other hand wants you to do that.

He wants you to fail.

He wants you to think small, he wants you to not expect much.

But it’s all a lie!!

 

God has so much in store for you.

There is no limit to what God has for you.

Make sure you pursue everything God has for you.

Don’t listen to the enemy.

Don’t listen to people who put limits on what you can trust God for.

Make sure you are following what God has told you.

Hold to that path rigidly!

God bless you friends!

 

Rolain

 

 

 

 

 

Living life in your own strength…..

“Moses told [the Lord’s] words to all the Israelites, and they

mourned greatly.

And they rose early in the morning and went up to the top of

the mountain, saying

Behold, we are here, and we intend to go up to the place which

the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.

But Moses said, why do you transgress the command of the Lord

[to turn back by way of the Red Sea], since it will not succeed?

Go not up, for the Lord is not among you, that you be not struck

down before your enemies. “

Numbers 14:39-45

 

The twelve spies had got back from scouting Canaan and

ten of the twelve brought back bad news. Joshua and Caleb

where full of confidence that God could bring them into the

promise land but the other ten thought otherwise. Anyway

after the news Israel in it’s entirety complained and grumbled.

Talk of going back to Egypt was going around and the people

were about to stone Joshua and Caleb when the Lord intervened!

 

They would not inherit the land God promised them because

of their lack of faith. Their children would be the ones who

would enter the promise land.

Anyway to cut a long story short, the people were very sorry

for how they reacted and decided to take up their weapons

and take the land God had given them. Moses told them it

was too late and they had to turn back but they thought it a

small feat to attack the Canaanites and Amalekites.  So off they

went without Moses and the ark of God (His presence) and

lost! (Numbers 14:44, 45)

 

The Israelites took for granted God’s presence with them.

They thought they could storm the Canaanites in their own

strength but they were dead wrong. It was because of God

they were able to destroy nations stronger than themselves!

 

This Sunday I was reminded who is really in control. Like

the Israelites I forgot who was really in control. I had become

proud. I forgot the reason I do all I do is because of His grace

and mercy on my life. There is no other reason behind it. I am

able to teach because He enables me to!

 

“My glory is great because of His aid”

 

That sums up everything.

The reason I write, the reason I am

able to teach, the reason I am where I am is because of Him.

It’s not because I am smart or because I “know” people!

It’s not because I grew up in the right neighborhood.

It’s not because I am eloquent and so on and so on….

 

I am able to do all that I do because of God. It’s all Him!

Without God I would lose. The enemy would win hands

down.

My enemies in the natural ARE stronger than me and I could be

extinguished if I was alone. But I am not alone!

The Lord is with me and He is the reason I win, He is the

reason I succeed. He is the reason I am still here.

 

We need God friends. I hope you realize just how much you

need Him in your life. He does so much and at times we can

take it for granted. We can think it’s because of our strength

but it’s not. He is the One who has carried us this far.

The Israelites thought their strength was enough but they

were so wrong! They needed God desperately if they were

ever going to enter the promise land.

As I close I want to encourage you to always seek His guidance.

He is the reason we win and He is the reason we are alive.

Don’t forget that friends!

Bless you

 

Rolain.

 

 

 

 

 

How the wars in your life are won!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY.

 

We all have wars to fight. We cannot run away from battles. They are a part of life but how are we to deal with them?

How do we become victorious? We find the answer in the book of Samuel.

 

David strengthened himself with trust in his God. He ordered Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, Bring me

the Ephod so I can consult God. Abiathar brought it to David. 

Then David prayed to God, Shall I go after these raiders? Can I catch them? 

The answer came, go after them! Yes, you’ll catch them! Yes, you’ll make the rescue! 

1 Samuel 30: 6-8

 

When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him.

David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. When the Philistines arrived, they deployed their forces in Rephaim Valley. 

Then David prayed to God: “Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them? 

Go up, “God replied. Count on me. I’ll help you beat them.”

2 Samuel 5:17-20

 

Later there was a repeat performance. The Philistines came up again and deployed their troops in the Rephaim

Valley. David again prayed to God.

This time God said, don’t attack them head-on. Instead, circle around behind them and ambush them from the grove

of sacred trees. When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It’s a signal that God is going

ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp.

2 Samuel 5:22– 24

 

Time and time again we see this pattern throughout scripture. Whoever it was, they always sought The Lord first.

As we face the battles that come our way we need to realize we can come to God. He is our Defender and He will fight for us.

The mistake we make is we think we can do it on our own. But it’s not true!!!! We are not strong enough, and smart enough. We need

Gods help. He is the One who will deliver us. I have tried at times fight on my own only to fail. David as great as he was,

and as great as an army he commanded always sought The Lord first. He didn’t rely on his own strength and on the strength of his mighty men.

 

Who are you relying on when you go to war?

Is it the weapons you possess or the connections you have or the family you come from or the riches you possess?

The experience you have, the intellect you possess????

That means nothing if you don’t seek The Lord. You will fail if you go out alone!!!

Rely on The Lord when you go to war! Rely on God when you face the giants in your life!

 

Rolain.