Possess God’s Promises

Do you actively take hold of God’s promises or do you sit back and wait for God to drop them on you?

Many people believe God sends the things we need in His own good time. After all, Matthew 6:8 says God knows what we need before we even ask. Yes, God knows our needs, but have we been deceived about our part in receiving His promises?

Today, I’d like you to consider that we take an active role in possessing God’s promises. Promises like “by whose [Jesus] stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV), and “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV), and “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

I have lived with chronic disease and from paycheck to paycheck. And I believe that isn’t having everything that pertains to life or godliness. The Lord’s Prayer states, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Is there sickness in heaven? Is there lack in heaven? No. I also believe living my life like that brought no glory to God nor did it serve as a positive witness of God’s power to the unbelievers around me.

But how does one possess God’s promises?

Possess by Faith

Everything that happens in God’s kingdom happens through faith. It is the spiritual side of possession and must come first.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Heb. 11:1 NLT).

God has given to each of us a measure of faith. Our faith grows as we use it, but also through the time we spend in getting to know God and His Word. Spend time with God. Talk with Him. Listen to Him. Walk with Him.

Believe God and let Him lead you.

This kind of interaction with God develops a relationship with depth. And as we spend time with Him, He will teach us and communicate His will to us. Your spirit will be in constant communion with God. We become so sensitive to His presence we can hear Him clear His throat.

Jesus had this kind of communion with the Father. He spent many nights in prayer and was wont to rise early while it was still dark and find a solitary place for prayer. This prepared Him for the work the Father had for Him.

Faith allows us to see within our spirit the result of what we are praying for. Our faith then drives our actions because physical action is born out of belief.

Possess Through Action

James 2:20 tells us faith without action is dead. It isn’t faith at all. Page after page of the Bible shows us action follows belief.

• Abraham believed God and left his home for an unknown destination. (Genesis 12:1)
• Moses believed God and confronted Pharaoh. (Exodus 5:1)
• The priests who carried the ark believed God and stepped into the Jordan River. (Joshua 3:14–16)
• Peter believed Jesus and stepped out of the boat and onto the water. (Matthew 14:29)

Now, let’s turn to Numbers 13. The Israelites have camped in the wilderness of Paran, pre-desert wandering. They had just seen God perform 10 plagues against the Egyptians and miraculously deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh. He had parted the Red Sea for them, yet drowned the Egyptians. Now they stood before the land of promise.

It was time to physically possess that promise. Caleb said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30 KJV). Caleb’s faith in God was the foundation of his words.

The Israelites had to physically possess the land. But the majority lacked the spiritual side of taking possession—they lacked faith (see Hebrews 4:2). And they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years instead.

Do Whatever He Tells You

We couple our faith and action with what God instructs us to do.

John 2 shows us Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine. Mary tells the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it” (verse 5 NKJV).

Would there have been a miracle if the servants had refused to fill the water pots and then draw some out? No.

Again, we have page after page of examples.

• God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. (Genesis 22:2)
• Elisha told Naaman to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy. (2 Kings 5:10)
• Jesus told the ten lepers to show themselves to the priests. (Luke 17:14)
• Jesus told the blind man to go to the Pool of Siloam to wash the mud from his eyes. (John 9:7)

In each of these cases, faith preceded and was the driving force behind their action and the instruction God gave them to physically possess what they desired.

The Bible Is God’s Instruction to Us

There are hundreds of promises within God’s Word. We can possess these promises by praying (our initial action), believing, receiving, expecting, and acting on any instruction the Lord gives us.

“[He] does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says [an action on our part] will be done, he will have whatever he says. …Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:23–24 NKJV).

Sometimes our action is the simple act of praising Him in the midst of our pain.

Several years ago I was battling shingles with pain more intense than labor pains. I strove to find a comfortable position that might induce sleep. Then God reminded me of Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison after having been severely beaten.

I bolted off the couch and began praising Him. In less than an hour, my pain disappeared and I was able to lie down and sleep.

Are you thwarting your answers through wrong actions or words? If you are praying for healing, are you telling everyone how sick you are or saying “By faith, I’m healed”?

Easier Said Than Done

Yes, I realize that. I am walking this road with you.

Develop your faith and belief deep within your spirit, not merely in your head. That only happens by spending time with God, meditating on His Word, and renewing your mind.

Jesus came to give abundant life, and with His death on the cross, He secured that abundant life for us to live here and now, not just when we get to heaven. That abundant life includes forgiveness, salvation, deliverance, healing, provision, peace, joy and so much more. He is the source of all our supply. “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11 NKJV).

Steep yourself in God. Seek Him. Seek His kingdom. Seek His guidance. Don’t look at the outward circumstances but hold God’s promises steadfast within your mind and spirit and step out in faith as He instructs.

Have you been waiting on God while all the while God has been waiting on you to possess His promises?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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