02/25/2022
How many of God’s promises have we actually laid claim to? When the Lord promises us joy, or peace, do we walk upon those promises to make them our own, or do we look at what it takes to get there, and decide that where we are is good enough? Moses was Promised Land, and later that promise was emphasized again to Joshua, but this promise wasn’t without condition… they had to possess it… to walk barefoot upon it. Do we take possession of what God, and Jesus, have given us? Do we realize that we are on Holy Ground in them?
“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.”
Joshua 1:3 ESV
The Israelites were hungry as they walked in the wilderness, and they began to moan and complain, so God gave them quail in the evening, and manna in the morning, but to possess it they had to dispatch the quail, and walk out in the morning to gather the manna. They were also told to take only as much manna as they could eat in a single day because it represented the glory of God.
“So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?””
Exodus 16:6-7 ESV
We are given many blessings in our lives too; some are ancient promises, while others are new. God’s promises are just as true, and often as miraculous, now as they have ever been… but do we choose to claim them or just talk about them? Do we take all of the New Covenant that God has placed before us in Jesus Christ, or do we leave much of what we have been given in Him untouched? Do we read the ancient promises of God, and say they are no longer ours?
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]”
Psalm 145:13 ESV
I have served many meals to men at the local mission in downtown Nashville. Each plate is filled with a balanced and nutritious portion, and provided without cost, but there are rules such as these… you must stand quietly in line for the prayer, go through the line peacefully to get it, not fight or cause a disturbance while eating, and attend the devotional service after dinner. The promises, and blessings, of God are similar to these plates of food… we have to come to Him and take possession of them, we must honor Him by behaving as we should, and we must love and worship Him. If we do these things then we are fed, and we receive what He offers us in full, but how often do we refuse to do what He asks of us, or determine that the ask is too great, and walk away in the midst of receiving a promise?
“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Matthew 19:16, 21-22 ESV
So it is with us as we look at the promises of God, or seek His blessings. We must tread the land in order to claim it. We need to look at what God offers us and see it as Holy. We need to listen to what is required of us, and know that no matter how hard it first appears to be, God will be with us.
“And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Joshua 5:15 ESV
“‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’”
Acts 7:32-34 ESV
When we approach God, and prepare ourselves to receive His promises, or a blessing, do we do so halfheartedly, or without realizing the significance of where we are? We aren’t just walking casually into an empty closet, sitting in any old chair, or kneeling on our living room floor; we have suddenly been transported to Holy Ground and find ourselves before our own burning bush where we are hearing the voice of God. We are instantly on Holy Ground. We are in the presence of God, and here in this place the reality of His blessing, promise, Word, and instruction to us, is more than a wonderful story we have read, or a few words spoken to make us feel better… they are truth, power, and are eternal! The Bible contains over 7,000 of God’s promises, and He stands behind each and every one of them… how many have we claimed? How many times have we removed our shoes? How many times have we tread upon the Promised Land to make it ours?
“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:22-23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all your promises and blessings. Thank you for the truth that remains in them now, and for all time, if we will only remove our shoes, and walk in them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who promises us, blesses us, and speaks to us from Holy Ground. Praised be your name for the eternal nature of every promise you make, every gift you give, and for desiring the bare soles of our feet to feel the Holiness of the ground beneath them as we stand before you. Nothing must separate us from you Father. Your truth should press against our flesh, and your Word find its home in our hearts. Your promises and blessings, are ours for all eternity, if we will only take off our shoes and walk their ground… the Holy Ground where you have placed them. Merciful are you to feed us your Word, and give us living water to drink. Your grace that flows through Jesus is sufficient for us, and meant to be harvested fresh each day… His body, our meat by night, and the manna, His cleansing blood every morning. We are washed clean of sin by His blood, and prepared to stand before you barefooted, made free from death, by walking to claim these promises you have made to us in Him. Hear us as we sing your praises, worship you, and lift up the name of Jesus before you. Holy Father, find us pleasing in your sight, and call us your children. Seat us at your table, and recount all of your promises that we have in you, and your Son Jesus… This is our Holy Ground, our sacred place forevermore.
“When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.””
Exodus 3:4-5 ESV
Rich Forbes