We are meant to conquer.

"There always comes a moment when we step out of that place of indecision, of weakness, and the Spirit of God pushes us over."

ELIJAH PROVOKED THE PEOPLE to choose either the living God or that false one, Baal. What seems like an easy choice drew no comment from the people. And God would prove Himself firmly after. Joshua pushed Israel to possess the land of promise. God had given it to them. Make the effort to do what needed to be done, he said.

Sometimes, our reluctance is laziness. Sometimes, we are tired and no longer want to March around the same old mountain. But giving up is not an option. There is no going back and no staying put. Life and time will propel us somewhere, and if we do not choose, we may not like it.

“And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?” (Joshua 18:3)

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21)

The apostle Paul told Timothy to encourage himself. Timothy had some fear over Paul's imprisonment. "God in you is love and power and soundness of mind," he said. Sometimes it takes us a few to realize we have become afraid. Half the victory is recognizing it.

For the Israelites, having the promise to inherit the land did not exempt them from the work to push the inhabitants out of it. Though God promised them the victory of the battle, they still had to arm themselves and fight.

Having done all to stand, we must resist the urge to gripe and complain and keep standing in faith anyway. Being honest, faith has become too much of a catchword. I like the Remedy translation that uses the words "trust" and "trustworthy" instead. That is what faith is, it is knowing God is for you and He is the most trustworthy of all. What He says He will do, He will do.

“For Christ Jesus revealed that no ritual—such as circumcision—has any value with God. The only thing that counts is trust in God, established by the evidence of God’s supreme trustworthiness revealed by Christ, which expels fear and selfishness and results in loving, Christlike character developed within.” (Galatians 5:6, Remedy)

The people of Israel did inherit the Promised Land, but it wasn't in the generation that they expected. Fire fell from heaven on the sacrifice that Elijah had prepared, and the people saw it and knew who was God. There always comes a moment when we step out of that place of indecision, of weakness, and the Spirit of God pushes us over.

He has the broader shoulders, as my Mom has sometimes said, He can carry the weight of the pressure we are holding. He will carry it for He loves us. We can roll our cares over on Him, knowing He has the end result already in His grasp. Here is our mental battle, to refuse fear and discouragement, discontent, the right to speak to us or through us. We must say no. And for as long as they speak, we keep refusing those restless, defeated thoughts.

I always say to stop sitting in the same place. In an hour, in ten minutes, your perspective will change. Go do something else, stay busy and distract yourself from that place of frustration. Then pray to God for others, for once, and not just for yourself, and spend some time in praise and worship.

The Israelites fought to conquer the land and their descendants own it to this day, despite what the devil and the secular world has tried to do to them. Despite the unfortunate confusion over the issue by some in the church. Jesus is a Jew and King of Israel. Blessed are all those who pray for Jerusalem.

And free from all the work of the enemy are all those who stand on God's Word, which says faith and patience, trusting in God and His timing, WILL BRING the fulfillment of His promises. And while we wait, we can rejoice because Jesus is alive and living in us.

Life is a journey, full of stops and starts, which we are meant to conquer and be blessed in it. Jesus defeated the enemy, who would like us to believe otherwise. We must stand firm and refuse to give into Him. Then all our everydays will be full of God's presence and the strength to obtain yet another amazing victory, which would not have been except for the Greater One within us who assures it.

“Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 ISV)

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Image by Elias from Pixabay

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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com