God said to the Israelites after long stay at Horeb..."you have stayed here long enough. Leave this place and go"……Deut 1:6-7
One of the great obstacles for the christian to advance in his faith, ministry, or church is when the time he begin to think that he had already arrived on his destination. Because he got used to his normal routine , he thought that what is now is the best. He doesn’t give room for advancement.When challenge come his way, he prefers to retreat and hide rather than fight and advance.
Like the Israelites who got used in their normal life in Horeb,they thought it is already their promised land,because of Gods provision and protection, Deut 2:7.But God told them to pack-up and leave for they have not arrived yet on their destination.
And the only way to reached their promised land is by doing what God has commanded them.
1.Leave Horeb.... v.7
In this mountain they experienced manna, quail, and nurturing of God .The only thing about this place though they felt secured and comforted was that it was not yet the promised land God told them to posess.
Christians has also pass this Horeb experience. It is the time of meeting with God, the time they received salvation. Many received their (manna)salvation long ago and thought that was it. They are comforted being saved. Some eat quail, and thought all meat is quail.They are satisfied eating in church,attending church,praising in the church.They forgot that lot of good meat are still waiting outside Horeb.
In the song Asleep in the light by Keith Green said “ the world is sleeping in the dark but the church just can’t fight cause it is sleeping in the light. It is the comfort and familiarity and routine that made them sound asleep.
Awake and arise, because your destiny is not yet what you have. God has still much instore for you.
2.Go to the land of the Amorites and all the neighboring lands... v.7
They need to pass , fight and conquer the Amorites . God want his people to fight.The testing of our faith is a reality because Gods word said that we will pass through it(James 1:2). We should accept that God want us to fight the good fight of our faith.
We need to face challenges in our faith and experience to battle. A faith that is not maturing for lack of experience is a baby faith. Some are called baby Christian because they always want milk and not solid food.God designed us to mature and learn to face the battle of faith.
Of course you can get shot at , get a cut and be wounded in the fight,but do you remember what resulted in the fight you just won? you became stronger, bolder and confident.
Remember you are designed to fight. (See Ephesians 6:10-16).The helmet ,breastplate,shield, the belt, shoes and the sword cannot be carried by a child. It can only be carried by a person ready to fight.
3.Posses the land...... v.8
God did not want Israel just to fight, He want them to possess his promised for them.God doesn’t want us to know how to be mature only, He want us to possess his promised land for us. Your family, neighbors, your workmate. See a person who knows a lot about Christ but cant even share his faith to someone.
Anyone who has known Christ for long should have been advancing and taking possessions(inheritance from God like your family or friends).He should have been leading.He must been doing many things for God. In doing great things for God, we should be like Pacman who is not satisfied.
If you are thinking what to do next, follow Gods method of sending the Israelites into the promised land, but if you are one who want to stay and are still sleeping in Horeb because you think that is already the best, think again! Everybody will go and you will be left behind,manna will stop coming,and the most fearful thing is God will also moved.
An expert said this word” I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. “ (Phil 3:12-14).Apostle Paul in old age and about to die…still unsatisfied.
Leave your Horeb and posses your promised land.Dont be afraid for God had promised that He will be with you. Deut 1:21
