The Price of Possession

Many of us are familiar with the term "The Promised Land". Not only does it have spiritual and religious application, but many secular venues also use it as a metaphor for success and achievement. When sports teams want to win a particular championship, they'll say things like "we're going to the Promised Land". The phrase really became famous as a quote when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr gave his last speech the night before he was assassinated. He made the statement, "I may not get there with you...but we as a people will get to the Promised Land". Scripturally, the Promised Land refers to the land of Canaan that Jehovah had promised to the children of Israel through covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). However, there is a Spiritual Promised Land (not just Heaven) that awaits the Christian and believer in Christ as well (Hebrews 4). But what a lot of Christians don't understand is that there is a Price of Possession when it comes to entering God's ordained destiny for our lives.

Many people want to "enter" the Promised Land, but we need to establish that entering the Promised Land is not the goal; that's simply where the Journey begins. Many of us have been pressing and struggling to get into that spiritual zone that can be described as God's Promised Land for our lives. And let me say very quickly that we should continue to press and strive to get to where God has ordained us to be in Him and in the context of His Calling and Purpose for our lives. But I want to emphasize again that "getting to" the Promised Land is not the ultimate goal; possessing the Promised Land is.

With this understanding, we must therefore realize and acknowledge that there is a Price of Possession when it comes to entering the Promised Land. I can assure you that if you're not willing to pay The Price of Possession, you may "get" to the Promised Land, but you won't stay. There must be an internalized understanding of what is required to "stay" in the Promised Land once you get there; and that is The Price of Possession.

Once you enter the Promised Land, The Price of Possession is the willingness and availability to Fight. This is what a lot of Christians don't seem to understand nor accept in regards to entering the spiritual Promised Land that God has ordained for His people. Yes it is a land of Rest, but it is also a Land of War. It is a land of Peace, but it is also a Land of Battle; and if you're not ready for the warfare and if you're not ready for the battle, then subsequently you're not ready for The Promised Land. This is what the children of Israel found out when Moses had the 12 spies do the 40 day survey of the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) before the children of Israel were assigned to enter in (Numbers 13). When they came back, all they could talk about were the giants that they would have to face if they chose to go there. Are you ready for the giants of your Promised Land? Are you ready for the constant battles, the seemingly endless attacks; attacks against your character, attacks against your ministry, attacks against your family. Are you ready to be challenged to confront obstacles and enemies that are bigger and stronger and smarter than you are? If you're not, then you're not ready for your Promised Land. But be Encouraged, the Lord said to Joshua, "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1). Remember what the Word says, the Battle is not yours, it is the Lord's (2Chronicles 20). When you get to the Promised Land, the Good News is that God is the one who does the fighting. Praise the Lord! But you still have to go through the battle and you still have to stand for God in the War. It is The Price of Possession.