I seem to be finding myself in the season of facing the “kings” that occupy my promised land. God has shown me over and over again that I am moving into my promised land, and that is why the battle is so fierce.
Remember the Israelites? They had waited many years to finally be led into their promised land, but when they did, the Bible recounts how they had to fight the kings of the land. God told Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set your foot.” (Joshua 1:3). He immediately followed this with, “No one will be able to stand up against you all your life.” And repeatedly, “Be strong and courageous.” Clearly, God was preparing him for the fight. Just because you have entered into the territory God has promised you doesn’t mean the battle is over. On the contrary, this is often when the battle intensifies dramatically.
If you are in a season of preparing for your promise, don’t forsake all that you should be learning and strengthening during this time because when you cross over to take possession of said promise, you will need ALL the strength you can muster.
If you are in your promised land and keep wondering why the fight is so intense, be strong and courageous. I keep hearing God speak, “Stand” over me continually. So many things in life look contrary to the promise, but when I reflect and remember where we have come from and how we got where we now are, I am full of certainty and steadiness knowing that the same God Who lead us here, will continue to lead us forward.
Another thing that I have learned is this, when you are standing and fighting for your God given territory, you must also be sensitive to little openings He makes for you to begin moving into the promise. Sometimes, we can get so distracted with the warfare that we don’t notice the little reprieves or victories He gives us, or we are so war weary that we can hardly fathom goodness anymore so when it comes we don’t even notice or believe it to be true.
That happened to me this week. Part of my promise began to unfold in an unexpected way. At first, I was flooded with joy and excitement, but it was quickly tempered with second guessing and doubt. It was really pretty sad. Here God is trying to do something loving toward me, and I have been fighting and standing so long that it was almost painful to believe a good thing and forward motion was happening. Then I had an unexpected flash of fear that I would miss out or be left out by the group I was entering into this process with…..I immediately identified that spirit…..Poverty. Yuck.
Poverty spirit says, “There’s not enough for you. You’re gonna be left out. Don’t count on it happening. You better grab what you can because if you don’t, then you won’t have any.” I loathe that spirit. The very spirit that says your being robbed, is actually trying to rob you. It’s a sick spirit.
I’m so grateful that I could immediately see it for what it was because I’ve learned when I feel that, I should take a step back. I did, and right away the feeling subsided. I also told myself that I can’t miss out on something God has set aside for me. He’s not like that. He will make sure I walk into the things He has planned for me, one way or another. As I poured truth into the wound that poverty had attempted to fill, healing and wholeness and steadiness returned to my heart and only then could I continue to move forward.
The spirit of poverty was one of the kings occupying my promised land, and it had to go.
Prayer Moment: What’s occupying your promised land? Do you struggle with poverty spirit, spirit of jealousy, anger, doubt or some other spirit? It’s important to begin to identify these things. You can’t fight what you aren’t aware of. Spend some time today searching your heart with the Lord and ask Him to reveal to you the kings you must defeat in your life and promised land. Then ask Him for strategy to do so.
So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own. Joshua 1:10-11
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, Who give generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
365 Days in the Presence 