How Long Will You Wait?

"So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?" Joshua 18:3 NIV

As I read this scripture, I was stuck at the first five words of Joshua's questions: How long will you wait?

How long will you wait to walk in the healing Jesus provided (Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24)?

How long will you sit in lack and poverty when Jesus is the source of your supply (2 Cor 8:9, Phil 4:9, Psalm 23)?

How long will you be sad, mad and disgusted when the Lord has provided joy and laughter (Neh 8:10b, Job 8:21, Proverbs 8:30-31, & Psalm 126:2)?

Now what Joshua asked, How long will you wait before taking possession of the land the Lord has given to you? means you have some responsibility in the situation. You have to partner with God, get up and go possess the land.

If I were standing in front of you holding a gift, would you hesitate to take it out of my hand? Even if someone were standing in front of you or others were trying to block your way. You would manuver, duck, crawl, etc to get those people out of your way to get to the gift I have for you.

The same scenario is true with God. The enemy's job is to block the blessings. His job is to steal the word that was sown in your heart (Mark 4:15). The enemy knows that if he can steal the word in your heart that it will not produce results. But it is up to you to stand your ground and take possession of all that God has for you.

We cannot do anything from stopping the enemy's attacks. He is going to try and use the cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things to get your focus off of Jesus. As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he walked on the water (Matthew 14:29). As long as you focus on Jesus, you will get to the otherside of the situation. We know the enemy is going to attack. We have the blood and Word of Jesus to stop him in his tracks. He can throw stuff at you all day long. But as long as you stand on the word and stay covered with the blood of Jesus, the attacks are futile.

One of my favorite scriptures is: "And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14). Regardless to the number of giants that I may have to fight to possess my land, God is with me. His presence gives me the rest in His confidence to rebuke the enemy for me (Mal 3:9-10). In His presence, my joy is full and complete (Psalm 16:11).

Choose to have the necessary courage to fight the good fight of faith and go to possession your land. God is with you. God will protect you. Do not fear for the Lord is your light and salvation! Declare the battle is won because of the blood of Jesus!