Introduction

In my previous letter, we learned God’s pattern for moving us out of captivity, through testing, and into His promises. Today, we learn how to take possession of them.

Promises are like inheriting land. Having your name on the deed and developing it is very different. Like land, all of God’s promises must be first possessed, then explored, and finally developed. The Lord said to Joshua:

 “Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are going to cross this Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’” – Joshua 1:11 NASB20

The word “possess” in Hebrew is yāraš, which means to occupy by driving out previous tenants and possessing in their place.

Seeing and Thinking Differently

Possessing God’s promises requires displacing enemies. This demands a certain frame of mind. One that sees in terms of territories, domination, conquering, and victory. Today, enemies of God’s promises could be any situation, obstacle, problem, or challenge you see as a block to it. They could be internal, external, or situational.

After the Lord had twelve leaders sent into the land to see its current state and occupants, the majority returned with a pessimistic report of inferiority and fear. They said: “We also saw the Nephilim there (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” – Numbers 13:33 NASB20

These leaders saw themselves small because their thinking was. They teach us that winning and losing is not determined by the size of the obstacle, but by the size of one’s thoughts.

Of the twelve, only two – Joshua and Caleb – had a very different frame of mind. Caleb said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will certainly prevail over it.” – Numbers 13:30 NASB20

There will always be giants in your promises. How you see them is based on how you see yourself, and how you see yourself will dictate your victory. In leadership, few see opportunities in every obstacle. Most see obstacles in every opportunity. This has always been my experience in business and life since my early 20’s and it has always led to my success. Problems are opportunities in disguise. Sometimes in the order of hundreds and millions of dollars. Understanding, attacking, and solving them head on is the only ground for success.

Become the minority.

When facing a giant or challenge, pay attention to what you think. Do you think within yourself, “I will win” or “I will lose”? Listen to yourself. Self-speech will reveal your true mindset.

Like Joshua and Caleb, the first step is to truly believe you can successfully conquer whatever stands between you and God’s promise – with God’s grace working in you. Let “I will succeed” dominate your thinking patterns in everything. Mindset is not intelligence. It is attitude. Attitude is not thinking. It is a way of thinking.

There are many things we cannot control. Attitude is not one of them. Choose an attitude of “I can”, “I will”. An optimistic attitude is a frame of mind whose river of thoughts have banks which read, “Because of God, good will ultimately prevail”.

After dealing with the mind, the feet must be dealt with.

Strengthen your Feet

God revealed to Joshua that His Promises are possessed in full one step at a time. He said, “I will give you every place where you set foot, as I promised Moses”. – Joshua 1:3 NIV

Feet symbolize movement. Movement is action steps. Action brings results and dominance. Dominion means to tread upon, to subdue, and to take possession of.

Many deceive themselves into believing that simply knowing God’s promises without doing anything is enough to see them. Such are getting their beliefs from misunderstood Bibles. Knowledge can be the worst kind of deception. There’s no “name it and claim it” in the Kingdom of God. Everything the Lord promises requires action.

True faith is not just a matter of belief, but a living dynamic demonstrated through actions. Beliefs require action to be meaningful. As James wrote, “…faith without works is dead” – James 2:26.

Knowing and doing are different. Our challenge is not knowing what to do. It is doing what we know. If we say less and do more, we’ll gain more territory. We will see God’s Kingdom (His realm of dominion) rule over us and help us rule over His enemies.

If our feet are weak, we are not defeated. We should work hard to strengthen their muscles by taking small steps. Over time, they will exert their influence. Start with what God said. Then, align with His Spirit and make a list of actions to move you closer to your promised land. You are God’s vehicle. His GPS is within you. However, He doesn’t direct those in park. When you act, He directs.

Sharpen your Sword

Tests, challenges, and trials are designed to sharpen us like a sword – to hone us and produce fortitude.

Swords are sharpened on stone not silk. Are you learning from hardships? Are they sharpening or dulling you?

I know many people whose attitude and countenance have worsened over the years from difficulties. Hardships have made them dull and destitute. This is human nature – natural. However, we’re called to live by God’s nature – supernatural – above that line of existence.

The prophet Isaiah foresaw that Messiah would develop a sharpened quality as He faced the Cross: For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have made My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. – Isaiah 50:7 NASB20

Christ made His face like flint – Sharp, formidable, and resolute to silently conquer the greatest enemy of mankind – the sin of the world. Now He reigns until all other enemies are put under His feet: For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. – 1 Corinthians 15:25 NKJV

The final enemy is death itself (1 Corinthians 15:25). After Christ subdues all rule, power, and authority in creation, He will deliver the Kingdom back to His God the Father (1 Corinthian 15:24).

God’s Favor

In the final analysis, it is not what we think or do, but God’s favor and strength, which causes us to possess His promises: For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. – Psalm 44:3 NKJV

“Favor” means to be pleased with. When our ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes our enemies at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). When we please Him, it gives Him pleasure and joy. His joy is our strength, which He imparts into us to conquer. To please the Lord, learning how to walk in His holiness and love is necessary. His righteousness makes our footsteps strong.

In Conclusion

In the end, any promise of God enjoyed, explored, and developed in this age is temporary. Eventually, the first generation of Israelites who inherited Canaan, drank of its milk, tasted of its honey, and built on it homes and businesses, eventually returned to its dirt. Ultimately, the promise of everlasting life through Christ is God’s greatest promise to His chosen people.  For we “are all looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:16). Waiting for you and I is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven..”, (1 Peter 1:4 NKJV).

Until then, as co-heirs with Christ, we are called to reign with Him now through everlasting life – conquering territories, defeating His enemies, and inheriting His promises. We will do this by having a different frame of mind, strong feet that act, and using hardships to sharpen us.

Are you ready to take possession of what God has for you? What can you do this week to move forward?

Here are some free downloads to help you get started:

Taking Possession – Study Guide

Taking Possession (Downloadable PDF)