“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

A whole generation of Israelites perished in the desert because they were not courageous to believe that God had ordained for them to inherit the Promised Land.  When Joshua and Caleb spied out that land they saw that it was filled with abundance and they believed that God would be with them as they entered in to take that land.

But there were 10 other spies who just did not believe that they could take the land because of the giants that were in it.  Because of this, a generation wandered in the desert for 40 years until unbelief could be purged out of a nation.

When Joshua went into the land to take it God promised that he would be with him and Joshua believed God and took the land.  Yes, he had to fight his way into that land, defeating the enemy as he went, but the promise of God was that he would win the battle and he did.

As they marched around the walls of Jericho, which might seem to be a very unlikely military tactic, the walls came tumbling down and the renown of the Israelites’ God went out into all of Canaan and the Israelites took the land.

Many of us wrestle with unbelief in the face of the promises of God.  There are many times that I write a statement on Facebook like “God is going to defeat the obstacles in your life,” and people will respond with a very defeated, “Well, I hope so.”

This is not faith.  Faith rises up in the face of the obstacles and the enemy’s lies and proclaims the truth of what God has spoken.  No matter what comes against faith, faith understands the truth of God’s word and that it is impossible for God to lie.  Faith will take great steps toward every word of the Lord that has been spoken because it knows that it will overcome by the word of the Lord.

Do you have promises that have been spoken over your life by God?  Can you feel the truth of those promises deep within your being?  Have you been wandering in the wilderness of dissatisfaction and fear?  God has a day for you and it is called “now,” so prepare yourselves for more.

But more sometimes comes with a price.  Many people want things to be handed to them on a silver platter, but this is not the way God seems to work.  He makes us step into the direction of His promises and says, “The path before you may be difficult and the enemy may seem to be strong, but I am with you and together we will defeat his plans for your life.”

All you have to do is step into the Jordan, and then march around Jericho.  You must step into the place that God has said to go and as you do victory is not only certain but most assuredly yours.

I pray that you will have the strength to believe God in the face of your obstacles.  I pray that God will embolden you to believe that you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.  May the Lord bless you with a new hope and word in this hour.  Get ready for more!