Keeping Hold Of Promises

I sometimes think we treat the Bible as a "do not do" book. All the while I read a ton of "go do" in it. The Bible is God's Word to mankind who has "fallen short" of His glory. The implication of that expression is that we were not meant to fall short. We were intended to hit the mark, to attain the Glory of God! Because the scriptures make clear that we are not living as we should and must come to terms with it if we are to change and become what God intended we could be tempted to cast dispersions on this book as if it were against us. Nothing could be further from the truth. The scriptures are FOR US. Want proof?

Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

So we see a theme running through the Bible of a certain few people who dared to believe that though their station was not as it should be (because of sin and man's rebellion against God), if they relied on God's promises in His Word, they would achieve more than they ever dreamed.

This is the case of a man named Caleb. He KNEW to hang on to the promises God gave him in the Word. After waiting 40 years in the desert to see an entire generation die off, and then after spending 7 years fighting for the territory of other people, Caleb reminds Joshua of a promise given him by the man who gave the world the first five books of the Bible.

Joshua 14:9 (ESV) And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’

Dare to believe what God has said about you and the good things He has prepared for you in His Word. It may just come to pass. 

But before you do that, you may need to deal with some distracting thoughts. 

First, you have to eliminate the negative thoughts of those around you. 

Joshua 14:8 (ESV) But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God.

Man's sinfulness is not just "doing bad things", it is "imagining the worst outcomes". This is what Caleb realized when he first went to spy the land. His "friends" or "associates" in espionage could not fathom God was going to give them the land. Now I've been through the ruins of those cities in Jerusalem. Even the ruins are imposing to me. I can see how hard it may have been to believe 3000 years ago that this small slave nation would have victory over fortified cities and towns. When we are in the midst of challenging situations, we can be sure the voices of "can't" and "couldn't possibly" will be loud and convincing. Caleb learned the power of ignoring what the negative majority said and instead he believed God!

Second, you have to forsake the excuses life will hand you later in life. 

Joshua 14:10b–11 (ESV) I am this day eighty-five years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.

No sooner do we get over one set of excuses for why God couldn't come through than we are met with another new set of reasons we should doubt Him. This is how life goes. When you're young you'll tell yourself "too young" and when you are old, well, you get the idea. Could I ask you a question, who do you think keeps making an excuse for every season of yoru life? It's the roaring lion, Satan himself (or one of his minions)! don't you think he's got a book on you, knowing what buttons to push and when? Caleb could have thought "I'm too old now, I'm 85!" Nope. He says, "God could back then, and God can today!" Excuses are bound to come and they are bound to be brand new, but forsake them. Embrace the power of God!

Third, eliminate the idea what you're facing is too difficult. 

Joshua 14:13 (ESV) Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

I think God assigns portions. He assigned the land. He assigned Paul certain cities to go preach to. He assigned James as the pastor in Jerusalem. You're assigned. Now listen, if your assignment is hard, its because God believes you can do it! Hebron was the historic location of the Patriarchs and home to the largest giants of Canaan. But Caleb wanted it. Caleb comes from the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Christ. Greatness was in his family. By faith, you're adopted into that family. Believe it! 

God doesn't assign losing propositions to his children. Only a terrible father does that. God is a good and gracious heavenly Father who wants it to go well with His children. Take Him at His Word and fulfill your calling. I can't think of a better way to live.