Part 2 – Entering the inheritance God has for you. – Look at your problem and know that God is greater than it.
Last week we started with our new series.
Joshua 3:1 “Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing.”
We focused on the following 3 steps to enter the inheritance God has for us.
- The Acacia Grove Mindset – Renew Your Mind
In Hebrews the word Acacia means durable and was sometimes translated “incorruptible wood” referring to God’s holiness.
Moving towards the river, we must visit Acacia Grove to cleanse ourselves, the renewal of our minds and seek God like never before.
2. Move the edge of the Jordan River – Focus on God
Israel is standing on the edge of the Jordan river to cross as they are moving into a new future. In our own power we are not able to cross the river, only through the power of God we will be able to cross the river. We must focus on God to take us through the Jordan.
3. Lodging at the river. Spend time with God
Before we can enter the promise of God, we need to lodge before crossing the river. We need to spend time with God.
To enter the inheritance God has for you, you must renew your mind, focus on God, and Spend some time with God.
Today we are focusing on point 4. Look at your problem and know that God is greater than it.
Joshua 3:1 “Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing.”
Before Joshua moved from Acacia Grove he was waiting for the report of the 2 spies that he had sent to Jericho. Previously 40 years ago in Numbers 13 and 14 spies were also sent to explore that land. This time Joshua only sent two spies.
So, what is the difference between 40 years ago and now. This time Joshua decides to only send two spies to inspect the land. From previous experience he has learned what the impact of a negative spirit would have on their future. He has already paid the price of being 40 years in the wilderness, and was not going to make the same mistake again. He needed to make sure that the men that were sent to explore the land, were men of faith.
So, what was the difference now that would enable Joshua to enter the land.
Currently the lockdown will have a major impact on our lives. All over the world it will. So, we must observe, understand our crisis. In Numbers 13 and in Joshua 2 we have seen that Moses and Joshua had sent spies to observe the enemy. They had to understand the strategy of the enemy to enable to outsmart the enemy.
The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 2:11 “so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.”
In observing your situation it is always important to remind yourself that God is greater than your situation. The Satan’s strategy is to make your problem bigger than God – what a lie.
This is what happened in Numbers 13: 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!
Numbers 13: 30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”
Once we have observed, irrespective of our situation, problem or giants that we must conquer, God is always greater than any problem that you may have.
Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!
The first point in Observing and knowing that God is greater than your situation is you must have confidence in God.
Let’s look at the what was the attitude of the 10 spies, the 2 spies (Joshua and Caleb) in Numbers 13 and Rahab in Joshua 2.
Have confidence in God
The 10 Spies proclaimed self-depreciation over their lives – They saw themselves as tiny, little grasshoppers who would be crushed by big giants.
Num. 13:33 Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
Confidence in God – Caleb and Joshua – They had confidence that God was with them, and were determined to do His will.
Num. 14:9 They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!
Confidence in God – Rahab knew that God was stronger than her current situation. She knew that her focus should be on the God of Israel.
Joshua 2: 9 “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.
So, what is Confidence in God? It is to put your faith in God.
Faith in God then, is having the kind of trust and confidence that you understand that there is no other help, than God. You only hope is in God. When it looks like there is no other one than can help, God is your only hope.