Out of Wilderness and Into Promise

Numbers 32:11-13 “’Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not wholly followed me, none except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the Lord.’ And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone.”

A week ago, Pastor Kyle opened a new Sunday sermon series on change in our lives. Storms of life come in this fallen world. When people are beaten down for long periods, it is hard to get out of negative wilderness mindset. We can spend years wandering around in the wilderness, but God doesn’t want aimless wandering in confusion. God sends spies to scope the land out before us, but people are scared by negative reports. Like Caleb and Joshua, we must know and stand on the promises of God, having faith that with God, we can do it. So, if people are dragging you into sin, set boundaries and separate ourselves. But, do not cut of everyone who disagrees with you.

Colossians 3:13 tells us, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”  

To progress from a wilderness a wilderness mindset to a “Promised Land” mindset, we need to first tune into those who are for our faith and our future (without cutting off or ignoring those who are not). Learn to tune out into the right word while able to have open conversations, witnessing for Christ in holy conversation. Tune into the voices for righteousness and godliness, pointing to the foot of the cross. Contend for the faith and love others into the kingdom of God. Ephesians 4:2 says, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Secondly, always go with God’s counsel over human consensus. 10 out of 12 spies may say “no”, but God plus one is a majority. Beware of bad counsel. The popular thing is not always the God thing. God’s word trumps all and God things are always the “right” thing. Thirdly, focus on how a change will be a blessing, not just how it could be a burden. The land is good, but people tend to focus on the issues and problems. The devil does not need an advocate. Failure to see the good in change will not stall vision and progress. To prepares for a better future requires flexibility and change which has a cost. Fourthly, Blessings are won through battles, so be patient. Impatience is the wilderness. 10 of the 12 spies saw the battle to come. Focus on the “Promised Land” issues with a mindset that is focus on the Lord.

1 John 5:4 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

The Christian’s Promised Land is Heaven; we are just passing through on earth. It is always in the heart of God that His children think and act victoriously. Come out of the wilderness and into promise. Holy Spirit, teach us, mature us, and direct us to bring glory to God.

In Christ, Brian