Entering the Promised Land

We are living in exciting times filled with opportunities and challenges. The events of 2020 have changed our perspective and stirred a deep yearning in many hearts for something greater. God is calling us, urging us to listen and respond to His voice, as we stand on the brink of entering our promised land.

The Call to a New Generation

In the midst of uncertainty, there is a call for a generation that will step into the promised land. This isn’t just about physical territory; it’s about spiritual awakening and the manifestation of God’s kingdom on Earth. We’ve experienced birth pains, and just as creation groans for the revelation of the sons of God, we too are yearning for change.

Many Christians find themselves overwhelmed, heavy-hearted, and lacking hope. This is a signal that we may be listening to the wrong voices. When we disconnect from the source of life—Jesus Christ and our fellow believers—we lose that vibrancy that keeps our faith alive. To enter the promised land, we must reconnect with the life-giving power of God.

We cannot enter what God is doing without a vision grounded in sound theology and history. A theology that limits God’s kingdom to a distant future undermines our present reality. God desires to transform lives here and now, not just in some other age. We must recognize the power of God to bring real change and healing to broken lives.

The Destiny of the Israelites

God had a clear destiny for the Israelites, which was not just to escape slavery but to inhabit a land flowing with milk and honey. The journey to the promised land was a profound lesson in faith, obedience, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Throughout the Bible, we see that God’s actions in the Old Testament are not isolated from His work in the New Testament. The mission remains consistent: to bring His people into covenant with Him and enable them to thrive under His rule. The Israelites were called to be a nation that reflects God’s glory to the world.

It’s vital to recognize that God’s purpose extends beyond individual salvation; it encompasses nations. Just as He had a purpose for Israel, He has a calling for every nation, including America. Our destiny is tied to our understanding of God’s sovereignty and His desire for nations to come under His rule.

A Historical Perspective on America

When we explore the history of America, we uncover a rich tapestry of faith and vision. The pilgrims and puritans saw themselves as a covenant people, seeking to establish a new promised land where they could live freely and worship God according to their convictions. This spirit of covenantal living is part of America’s DNA.

William Bradford, a key figure among the pilgrims, recognized the hand of God in every event leading to their arrival in America. They sought to create a community based on biblical principles, living in a way that honored God and reflected His kingdom. Their struggles and triumphs serve as a testament to the power of faith and obedience.

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

As we reflect on their journey, we see that trials often lead to repentance and a deeper reliance on God. The pilgrims faced immense challenges, including disease and harsh winters. Yet, in their desperation, they turned to God, seeking His guidance and provision.

One notable event involved a drought that threatened their crops. Instead of succumbing to despair, they proclaimed a day of prayer and fasting. God responded with abundant rain, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who seek Him earnestly.

The Role of Faith in Overcoming Challenges

Faith is not just a passive belief; it is an active force that propels us to take action. The Israelites faced giants in the promised land, yet those who believed in God’s promises—like Caleb and Joshua—were able to confront those challenges head-on. Their faith allowed them to see beyond the obstacles and trust in God’s power to deliver.

In the book of Judges, we see a cycle of faith and failure among the Israelites. Initially, they trusted God and saw victories, but over time, they allowed complacency and fear to hinder their progress. This serves as a cautionary tale for us; when we take our eyes off God and focus on our limitations, we miss out on the blessings He has prepared for us.

As we venture into our promised land, we must remember that God has already given us the land. Our role is to go forth in faith, believing that He will fight for us. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We must be willing to step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us to fulfill His mission.

Embracing Our Inheritance

God’s promises are not just for the past; they are for us today. We have a rich inheritance as followers of Christ. Just as the early church faced persecution and oppression, they found strength in their unity and faith. They understood that their mission was to spread the gospel and bring liberation to those in bondage.

As we reflect on the history of the church, we see that God has continuously raised up voices to unite the people under His banner. The preaching of George Whitefield, for instance, ignited a spiritual awakening that united various denominations and prepared the hearts of the colonists for the struggles ahead. His fervent preaching drew thousands to Christ and rekindled the vision of liberty and justice.

Photo by Zandri Cooper on Unsplash

We are called to be those voices today, proclaiming the truth of the gospel and inviting others into the promise of salvation. Our mission is not limited to individual transformation; it extends to communities and nations. We must dare to believe that God can bring about change in our world.

The Promised Land Awaits

As we look to the future, we must ask ourselves: Are we ready to enter the promised land? Are we prepared to confront the giants in our lives and society? The call to action is clear. God is looking for a generation that will rise up in faith, embracing the mission He has set before us.

We have the opportunity to bring hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and freedom to the captives. Our faith must be rooted in the truth of God’s Word, and we must be willing to step out in obedience, trusting that He will guide us every step of the way.

Let us not be discouraged by the challenges we face. Instead, let us remember the faithfulness of God throughout history and the promises He has made. As we move forward, may we do so with confidence, knowing that He has given us the land and empowered us to take it.

Conclusion

Entering the promised land is not just a destination; it is a journey of faith, obedience, and transformation. We are called to be a people who live out our faith in every sphere of life, proclaiming the goodness of God and His desire for all to come to repentance.

Let us embrace the call to enter the promised land, united in purpose and driven by faith. As we do, we will witness the power of God at work in our lives and the world around us. May we be a generation that dares to believe, trusting in the promises of our God as we step into the future He has prepared for us.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Entering the Promised Land

• This is an exciting time we are living in
  1. 2020 was the most unusual year of my life – do you think God is trying to speak to us and get our attention?
  2. I suggest that God is calling through all of the events of the last year for a generation that will enter the Promised Land!
  3. The earth is going through birth pains right now and there is an opportunity to enter into the Promised Land if we will be a generation of faith!
  4. The enemy wants to rob us of hope and vision to keep us from entering into our God ordained destiny.
  5. It is impossible to enter if you cannot see what God is doing – Theology and History
  6. God had a destiny for the Israelites when He brought them out of Egypt it was the destination of the Promised Land.
  7. For us, that destiny is tied to America.
• America and the Promised Land
  1. From the first pilgrims to puritans were pursuing the dream of the Promised Land, of a city whose builder and founder is God!
  2. Hebrews 11:8–10 (NKJV) — 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
  3. The American dream of the city of God has been a battle of vision from the beginning.
     1. 5 grains of corn
     2. King Phillip’s war
• Troubles often got America back on track.

1. Many Christians like to proclaim that we are citizens of Christ’s Kingdom and therefore nations do not matter, but this is simply a lack of understanding of God’s design in creation and biblical law.
   1. Civil government was instituted by God after the flood
   2. 4 types of government ordained by God: Self, Family, Church, Civil

• All are covenant relationship with God and established by God

1. To love and be covenantally committed with regard to self, family church and state

1. God started the birth of the nation through the Tyrant King George III, prepared for it through a great awakening and birthed us through a war for independence
2. If we are awake in the Spirit, we can see that God that we are living in a time where a birth can happen or be aborted.

• The Promised Land
  1. God intended His culture and government to replace the fallen government and culture of Canaan
  2. God gave them the land, but they had to go in to possess it.
  3. Joshua and Caleb vs. the rest of the Israelites
  4. The GOSPEL and the conquest of the Promised Land.
• Judges and the conquest of the Promised Land
  1. Judges 1:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” 2 And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”
  2. Judges 1:4–7 (NKJV) — 4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. 5 And they found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek, and fought against him; and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 Then Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 And Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” Then they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died. (Total and Complete Victory)
  3. Judges 1:8 (NKJV) — 8 Now the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it; they struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.
  4. Judges 1:10–11 (NKJV) — 10 Then Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron. (Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kirjath Arba.) And they killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. 11 From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. (The name of Debir was formerly Kirjath Sepher.)
  5. Judges 1:12–15 (NKJV) — 12 Then Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife.” 13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so he gave him his daughter Achsah as wife. 14 Now it happened, when she came to him, that she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?” 15 So she said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
  6. Judges 1:19 (NKJV) — 19 So the Lord was with Judah. And they drove out the mountaineers, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron.
  7. Not Drive Out – Dwell Among – Driven Out By
  8. Judges 2:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Then the Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you. 2 And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’”
  9. Thus, the book of Judges explores the reality of sin in two of its aspects (not two sins, but two aspects of sin itself). First, making covenant with the Canaanites is associated with spiritual adultery. The image is that of the Canaanites being in their sides. This is in the kingly area, where Adam needs a helper meet for him, but the Canaanites are no proper helpmeets for these new Adams in their new garden. Second, not removing the altars is associated with idolatry. The image is that of the Canaanites being a snare. This is in the priestly area, where Adam needs to reject the serpent who attacks his foot. The Canaanites are like a serpent in the path.
  10. The City of God vs. the City of Man
• The Great Commission and the Conquest of the Promised Land
  1. Daring to believe, hope and expect God to give us the land.
  2. Seeking God for opportunities
  3. Embracing the Kingdom in the 4 governmental areas
  4. Self-government – the King’s Way
     1. Seeking God for personal growth
        • Humility, Love, Boldness, Wisdom, Clarity of Vision
     2. Standing in Christian Liberty
        • Trusting God
        • Being thankful to God
        • Believing in the sacrifice of Christ
• Total life transformation – recalibration
  • Who do you believe God is calling you to be – enter your promised land

1. Family Government
2. Church
   1. The power of God
   2. The Holy Spirit
3. Civil
4. We dream and we build
5. God has given the dream
6. The blood of Christ has given us the promised land.

• Taking the Promised Land
  1. Will We Be the Believing or Unbelieving Generation?
  2. The ancient Roman Empire and the birth of the church
  3. Galatians 3:5 (NKJV) — 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
  4. The Lord is giving us the Land, let us go!