The 25th of April is a day on which Australians remember the sacrifice of those who had died in the war. The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy.
Jesus has left a powerful legacy for all believers. We have a blood covenant through Him which allows us access to covenant promises as well as a destiny in Him. However, satan won’t let you fulfil your destiny or purpose without a fight. One of his tactics is to wear you down leaving you feeling discouraged as well as full of doubt and unbelief.
This is why you need to be strong and courageous like Joshua and Caleb were. In other words, you need a fighting spirit to inherit your promised land!
What’s in you?
It is in the times of pain and trouble that you will discover the true condition of your spirit. The difference between a strong spirit and a weak spirit is in what you feed it.
“The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?” Proverbs 18:14 Amplified. The Message Bible says, “A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed”.
God promised the children of Israel He had given them a land flowing with milk and honey. When the twelve spies went and spied out the land it was the ten that came and gave a bad report to the entire congregation. “We are like grasshoppers in their sight, the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak (I.e., Giants).” They were focussed on all the bad reports and all the challenges.
However it was Joshua and Caleb that resounded with courage and optimism.
“and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” Numbers 14:7-9
Joshua and Caleb were focused on God’s faithfulness, His promises, and the covenant they have with Him, not some giants.
The thing was they were of a different spirit, a fighting spirit. They had not allowed the negative murmuring and unbelief to enter in their hearts.
“they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” Numbers 14:23-24
Caleb had a different spirit. The word different spirit talks about being strong in spirit or having the right attitude. It’s also about following God wholeheartedly.
Isn’t it interesting, the spies who gave the bad reports, the murmurers, and complainers along with the congregation that got into the same place of complaining, never entered the promise land, but died in the wilderness. It was only Joshua, Caleb and their generation that entered the promise land.
Which one are you?
Are you part of the congregation of complainers, murmurers, and full of unbelief? Or are you part of the congregation of faith filled, believing ones with a different spirit in you. The ones with a fighting spirit. A spirit that says we will believe God despite the giants and obstacles in the land because our God is far greater, and His promises are yes and amen.
Do you see yourself as giant slayer or a grasshopper?
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Throughout the first chapter of the book of Joshua, God encourages Joshua, “be strong and of good courage”. I believe in this time where satan is trying to send giants and obstacles to weary the body of Christ down. God is saying to us, His children, there are still promises in this land that have not been received and that we are to be strong in spirit, bold and courageous to receive all He has for us.
We also require this strength, courage, and faith to press on until He fetches us, to inherit our eternal promise land with Him.
I leave you with this last thought.
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
Above, scripture says, ‘He gives power to the weak,’ which also means that God will give the capacity, the means, the ability, and the strength, to those who expect, trust, and rely on the Lord.
God is with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. May you be strengthened in this time, refreshed by His Spirit, and courageous in walking out your purpose.