When the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, known as the house of bondage, they were to live a completely different life from what they witnessed the Egyptians live. They were to be holy as God is holy. Their new lifestyle would require tearing down their old lifestyles, which is similar to our life in Christ.
The Lord commanded Moses to "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 'then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; 'you shall dispossess [the inhabitants of] the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess. ... 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain [shall be] irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. - Num 33:51-53, 55 NKJV
The same directions for a life in God stand true for Christ's followers of today. We start by destroying every obstacle between the Lord and us. God will resist the proud, but He gives abundant grace to the humble. We must cast down every argument and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Next, we are to take every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Doing these things will bring us freedom as we war against the spiritual realm that has taken our souls captive through sin.
The promised land that God desired to give to the Israelites required their submission and obedience to His will. He knew where He was leading them, and it would require war. They encountered God in mysterious and powerful ways along the way to their promise. They experienced His never-ending provision and His fierce discipline and judgment. They met His love and yet continued to return to their house of bondage.
Demonic spirits hunt the people of God, looking for an opportunity to kill, steal, and destroy the good fruit of provision that God offers His children. We must be proactive to destroy anything in our lives that gives the enemy a foothold in it.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. - 2Ti 2:20-21
When we are cleansed from our past sins, a new person will come forth. This person lives an entirely different life from the old person's way of life. If you are not experiencing your new life, then you likely have not taken possession of your promised land. A Christian's promised land consists of soul health, emotional health, relational health, financial health, and physical health. Our perspective of every situation changes when our souls are healed. If we lack in an area we choose to see it as enough. When we have disagreements and disputes with those we love, we choose to forgive them regardless of our opinion. Our outlook is different because our spirit is different.
The promises of God are one of hope, prosperity, peace, joy, and righteousness. We are not told we will receive all these things without a journey, often encountering trouble. Jesus said that His followers would have tribulation, but we are to be cheerful, bold, and courageous during them because He has already overcome them. If Jesus' Spirit is in us and the Truth is in us, then we are full of God; if so, we can do all things in His strength.
Here is where the rubber meets the road. Our faith must overcome our fears of the giants we face. Life can be challenging, even frightening, at times, but we have a supernatural power within us. Not all people have this power. Only the children of God have the privilege of possessing the world's most extraordinary power – Spirit power.
Many people believe they are powerful, strong, and capable in their own strength, and at times they are. However, there is no kingdom reward when we do it all in our strength. God has required we give Him the glory. We don't give Him credit when we overcome because we usually do not understand that He giveth and He taketh away. All things were made for Him, by Him, and through Him. Without God, nothing was made. He is a force to reckon with.
In Deuteronomy chapter eight, Moses recaps what the Israelites had come through. He warns them that when their hearts are lifted up (they become prideful) they are to remember who gave them the power to make wealth. All too often we forget that it is the Lord who rains on the just and the unjust.
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, forgive me for living on my own strength. Forgive me for the times I chose not to recognize You as my source. I pray for help to praise You in the valleys and praise You when I am on the mountaintop. I yield today and choose to rejoice in Your presence as my fortress, strong tower, and hope. In Jesus' name, Amen