Pastor Elwin Ahu
July 10, 2011 - W1128

As we get older we seem to be challenged even more. There seems to be no end to our challenges. But it was like that in the past also. Israel was challenged to leave Egypt. Basically they were challenged to obey God. God challenged through Moses, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob..." (Deut. 30:19-20)

We need to obey the Lord if we believe that He still has His best plan for us in the future. So what is the challenge for us?

1. The challenge: OBEDIENCE.
   
   

But why not simply obey God? Because there are so many worldly issues and seemingly giant sized problems that we think stand in the way. The greatest obstacle for the Israelites was their disobedience. They sent 12 scouts into the Promised Land. They reported back that yes the land was full of great and wonderful blessings but that there were also giant warriors that would kill and keep the Israelites out. All but Caleb advised to not enter the Promised Land. So because of this disobedience, God made the Israelites wander for 40 years. It was different for Caleb though. God said, "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it." (Num. 14:24)

Caleb even said, "Now behold, ...I am eighty-five years old today. I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me..." (Josh. 14:10-11) So what made Caleb so strong? He had faith in God and he did …

2. Trust God AT HIS WORD.
   
   

You do not need to know God’s entire plan for you. All you need to know is enough to take a step forward in God’s plan each day. You do not need to know everything that is going to happen years ahead. You are supposed to have enough faith in the Lord to continue without knowing everything ahead. David said to God, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Ps. 119:105) In other words, the lamp was small and only gave off only enough light to take one step at a time in the darkness. We have to trust God one step at a time also.

As the Bible says, "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord..." (Zech. 4:6) We have to have that spirit of trust and faith in the Lord. If you can trust God then you can …

3. Keep a GODLY perspective.
   
   

When faced with big challenges, some of us see god sized enemies but a few us see a God sized God that is on our side. So remember, when faced with god sized challenges, “...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..." (Heb. 12:1-2) Caleb kept his eyes on God and trusted Him and so God let him enter the Promised Land. Caleb was not afraid because he knew what God had already promised and trusted in God’s word. So do not be afraid to …

4. Engage THE BATTLE.
   
   

David said to Goliath, "'This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you ... that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and...that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands.' Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine." (1 Sam. 17:46-48) David was not afraid and was even eager to fight for the Lord.

Remember, the Bible says, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord." (Prov. 21:31) We have to do everything we can to prepare and win and then God will do the rest.

Jesus already died for us. He has already won the ultimate victory for you. Greater is He that lies within you if you have faith. Always remember that the power is in you from God.

Study Suggestions

1. Why is it sometimes difficult to obey God?
2. Why should we trust God at His word?
3. What is a Godly perspective?
4. Why should we obey God?
5. Why was Caleb not afraid?