Disobedience kept Israel from advancing into their promised land. Another big barrier to claiming their inheritance was the words that came out of their mouths. During the coming days we are going to deal with one of the most powerful forces in the world, one that determines the entire course of your life: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life). (Proverbs 18:21, AMP) Your words determine your destiny! You are either speaking forth... -Blessing or cursing. -Power or weakness. -Faith or unbelief. -Victory or defeat. -Abundance or lack. -Life or death. -Words that will advance or hinder your destiny.
If you continually speak negative words of defeat and discouragement, you are setting the course of your life to live in defeat and discouragement. If you constantly talk about your problems, the words coming out of your mouth will hinder you from taking possession of God’s promises and fulfilling your divine destiny.
If you take control of your tongue, however, and fill your mouth with the Word of God and speak it forth by faith, you will be setting the course of your life to live in victory. By your verbal confession, you will be taking ownership of God’s promises! God wants to bring you into a new dimension of spiritual authority where your words, spoken with power and invested in the promises of God, will enable you to confront and conquer every stronghold of the enemy. Before you can enter this powerful realm of spiritual authority however, you must gain control of your tongue. It was negative words that prevented Israel from embracing their destiny and led them to rebel against God. What words will come out of your mouth today? Will you speak words of death to your destiny, or will you speak words of life?
Prayer:
Father, help me to guard my tongue and align my words with Your promises. Forgive me for speaking doubt, fear, or defeat. Fill my mouth with faith and truth so that I speak life over my destiny. Teach me to walk in spiritual authority by declaring Your Word with confidence. Today I choose to speak life.
Israel failed to enter into the rest God had secured for them. Paul warned the believers, “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11, NIV). The only way to fulfill the destiny God has planned for you is by obedience. You must shut out every voice that would tempt you to disobey God. You must set your heart and mind to obey Him, regardless of the cost.
The Israelites refused to listen to the voice of God, but chose instead to listen to negative reports. They began to grumble and murmur against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:2-3, NIV). Their grumbling was directed at Moses and Aaron, but their murmuring was actually against God. It was an outward expression of the unbelief that was in their hearts. -They had murmured and complained about a lack of food: "Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full" (Exodus 16:3). -They murmured and complained that there was no water: "Wherefore is this that thou has brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?" (Exodus 17:3). -They were not satisfied with the manna God gave them, and had murmured and complained that there was no flesh to eat: "Who shall give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt..."(Numbers 11:18).
Then, at Kadeshbarnea as they listened to the negative reports concerning the giants in the land, they murmured and complained, fearing that they would die in battle and that their wives and children would be taken captive. Their constant murmuring was actually against God, accusing Him of not fulfilling His promises. They were forgetting what God had already done for them in the past and the promises He had made for their future.
How about you? Are you complaining because of your circumstances today? Are you forgetting what He has done for you in the past? Murmuring and complaining are natural responses to difficult circumstances. But as believers, we do not live in the natural, rather we live in the supernatural. Take time to remember what God has done for you in times gone by. The miracles of your past can pave the pathway to your future. Choose to live supernaturally.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for the times I have murmured and complained instead of trusting You. Cleanse my heart from unbelief and help me to remember all You have done for me. Teach me to respond to difficult circumstances with faith and obedience. Help me to live in the supernatural, relying on Your promises instead of my fears. I choose today to trust You and walk in obedience to Your Word.
Just as Satan spoke through the spies to keep Israel from their divine destiny, he will speak to you through other people–perhaps even your closest friends and loved ones–to attempt to discourage you from fulfilling your vision. They may say things like... -It can’t be done. -Are you sure God told you to do that? -This situation is hopeless. -You might as well give up. Listening to such voices will cause you to rebel and reject the voice of God, just as the children of Israel did.
After all God had done for Israel–the miracles He had performed in delivering them out of the hands of the Egyptians, guiding them, feeding and providing for them during their journey–it is hard to understand why they listened to the negative reports instead of believing God's promises. We wonder how Israel could possibly doubt God, yet there are many believers today who react the same way. God has given us a written record of the miracles He has done in behalf of His people down through the centuries. We have personally experienced His love, provision, and healing power. But when we face circumstances in our lives that require us to act in obedience to His Word, our hearts are sometimes filled with doubt, unbelief, and rebellion just like the children of Israel.
Paul warned: See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God...“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12,15-19, NIV) The word “rest”, as used by Paul, is not referring to a place of physical rest from labor or a place where you are free from the problems and cares of this life. It is referring to that powerful spiritual dimension where one takes full possession of their inheritance.
It is a place of peace and security–freedom from fear, worry, and stress–even in the midst of great adversity. It is a place of blessing and provision, a place of power and victory over the enemy, a place of joy and contentment, a place where you cease from striving to walk in your own strength and you are walking in God’s strength. This spiritual place of rest stands before you today. Refuse the voices of disbelief. Do not speak words of doubt. Enter into God's rest by faith.
Prayer:
Father, guard my heart from unbelief and from voices that try to pull me away from Your promises. Help me to recognize and reject every lie that contradicts Your Word. Strengthen my faith so I will not harden my heart when I hear Your voice. Teach me to trust You fully and to walk in obedience without fear. I choose today to enter into Your rest by faith and to rely on Your strength instead of my own.
srael was defeated because they rejected the voice of God and followed their own carnal thinking. Instead of going forward to take possession of the land as God had commanded, they listened to negative reports which created doubt and resulted in disobedience. They chose their will above God’s will. They rejected Him as the supreme authority of their lives. They actually wanted to return to slavery in Egypt rather than obey God and advance at His command. Moses and Aaron recognized the ramifications of their rebellion and fell on their faces in fear before God. Joshua and Caleb, in great anguish, tore their clothes and pleaded with them not to rebel. But the children of Israel refused to listen. Once they made the choice to go their own way, nothing anyone could say or do could alter their decision. The people were actually ready to stone Caleb and Joshua! They wanted to ease their consciences by silencing those who represented God’s will and spoke His Word. As they were getting ready to do this, the glory of God appeared before the people at the Tent of Meeting. God was ready to destroy the entire congregation! Moses interceded for them and God graciously forgave their rebellion, but He did not let them go unpunished. He told Moses that all those who were twenty years of age and older would not enter the Promised Land, but would die in the wilderness.
God told Moses to “...turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea” (Numbers 14:25, NIV). The next morning the people came to Moses saying, “We have sinned, they said. We will go up to the place the Lord Promised” (Numbers 14:40, NIV). Once again they were rejecting the Word of God by choosing their own way. When God had told them to go forward, they refused. Now that He commanded them to turn back, they decided they wanted to go forward. Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord's command? This will not succeed!” And it didn’t (Numbers 14:41-43).
If you are to fulfill your divine destiny, you must learn to agree with what God says and act upon it. In Jeremiah chapter 1, God reveals Jeremiah's divine destiny. God declared, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah's response was "...Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child." God answer was, "...Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:5-7). When God declares something, agree with it and act in faith upon it. Do not substitute your own thoughts, fears, or plans. If you disobey God's commands, you will not succeed. You will fail. Guaranteed. If you obey His Word, you will succeed in all you do. Believe what God says--not what the voice of man dictates. Watch what your own mouth says. Make sure your words agree with God.
PRAYER:
Father God, forgive me for the times I have chosen my own will over Yours. Help me to trust Your voice and obey You without fear or hesitation. Teach me to agree with what You say and to act in faith, even when it is difficult. Let my words and my life align with Your will, so I may walk fully in the destiny You have prepared for me.
Moses sent twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, to spy out the Promised Land. After exploring for forty days, the men returned. The entire congregation was anxiously waiting to hear what these twelve leaders had to say.
The spies told Moses, “We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey; this is its fruit” (Numbers 13:27, AMP). Can you imagine the excitement among the congregation as these twelve men showed them the fruit they had brought from the land? Just as God promised, the soil was rich and fertile. They brought back pomegranates, figs, and a single cluster of grapes that was so large it took two men to carry it on a pole between them. At long last, their waiting was over. Soon they would be enjoying the fruit of the land and the blessings God had promised them!
But then ten of the spies reported that “...the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover there we saw the sons of Anak (of great stature and courage)” (Numbers 13:28, AMP). At this news, concern spread among the Israelites and they began to express their doubts and fears.
Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, tried to encourage the people saying, “Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it” (Numbers 13:30). But the other men said, “We are not able to go up against the people (of Canaan); for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). Two expressed faith to advance. Ten gave a negative report saying that the land was possessed by powerful enemies that would destroy them. At this point, the people had heard two voices: The voice of faith and the voice of unbelief. One voice said, "We are well able." The other voice said, "We are not able."
God had told the Israelites to go in and take possession of the land. He had assured them that He would drive out their enemies before them. No further discussion was necessary. No questioning. No hesitating. All that was required was for them to obey the voice of God. The voice of God had been confirmed by the voice of faith when Caleb said, “We are well able to conquer it.” He and Joshua pleaded with the people not to rebel against God (Numbers 14:7-9).
God’s people had a choice: To listen to the voice of faith and obey God, or to listen to the voice of unbelief and rebel against Him. Which voice will you listen to? God had told the people to advance, no questions asked. Never put a question mark where God has put a period.
Prayer:
Father, silence every voice of unbelief that rises against Your promises in my life. Give me the courage of Joshua and Caleb to declare, “We are well able,” because You have spoken it. I choose faith over fear and obedience over hesitation. I will not question what You have already settled—lead me forward into possession of my promise. Amen.
Approximately sixteen months after God delivered Israel out of Egyptian bondage, He brought them to the border of the Promised Land. From where they were camped, the Israelites could see the beautiful hills, fields, and pastures of the land God had promised them as an inheritance.
Can you imagine the excitement that filled their hearts and minds as they gazed toward the land of Canaan? Behind them were the long years of slavery in Egypt — the pain and sorrow, the cruel taskmasters, the bondage, anguish, discouragement, and defeat. Their difficult desert journey was finally over.
Before them lay the land of promise with all the blessings of the covenant — prosperity, provision, protection, and peace. The land belonged to them legally because of God’s mandate. Yet having the promise was not the same as possessing it. The land was theirs unconditionally by promise, but possession of it was conditional upon their obedience.
God declared:
“If you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (consecrated, set apart to God).”
— Exodus 19:5–6 (AMP)
God had already sent the Angel of the Covenant before them, warning:
“Obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for My name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.”
— Exodus 23:21–22
There, poised at Kadesh Barnea on the border, Moses told the Israelites:
“Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the Lord our God doth give unto us. Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.”
— Deuteronomy 1:20–21
God instructed Israel to advance and take possession of the land. Their destiny stood before them.
They had a choice:
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Obey God and possess the land.
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Disobey God, forfeit their inheritance, and reap the consequences.
The same principle applies today. You also stand at the edge of promise. You have a choice. What will you do?
The nation of Israel was at the greatest point of their spiritual destiny. The decision they would make that day would determine their future and the fate of the entire nation. God had brought Israel to the border of the land. He had promised as an inheritance and commanded them take possession of it. He had delivered them out of Egyptian bondag through great miracles, signs, and wonders. He opened up the Red Sea and they marched across on dry land (Exodus 14:21-22). He miraculously led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). He fed them manna from heaven (Exodus 16:4,15). He caused water to gush forth from a rock (Exodus 17:5-6). He gave them a great victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:9-13).
The Great I Am–God Almighty–had manifested Himself on Mount Sinai in flaming fire and billowing smoke. They heard the trumpet of God blasting across the plains, summoning them to meet with Him. They saw His glory. They heard Him speak in an audible voice. There on Mount Sinai, God joined Himself together with them in a blood covenant relationship.
God pledged Himself to be their God, to protect them, to prosper them, and to set them apart from the nations of the earth. Their enemies were His enemies, and all that He had belonged to them.
God promised to bring them “...to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey –a land of plenty...” (Exodus 3:8, AMP). He sent the Angel of the Covenant--the preincarnate Son of God-- before them to lead, instruct, protect, and guide them and to drive out their enemies (Exodus 23:20-23). Now they had arrived at the border of their promised land and were positioned for victory. Pause today and think of all the things God has done for you in the past. Reflect on the victories you have won and your prayers that have been answered. Take a look back at all God has done for you to bring you this point. Today, you are at the border of your destiny--a new vision, a new ministry, a new step of faith.
Like Israel--God has positioned you for victory! Your destiny lies just ahead. The question is: What happens next?
Prayer:
Father God, Great I AM, I thank you for every delivernce You've worked in my life--every sea You opened and every way You Provided. Today I choose faith over fear and stand on Your promises. By the blood of Jesus, renew my confidence and silence every voice that questions Your word. I will advance with You!
When Israel left Egypt, the Bible notes that a "mixed multitude" went with them (Exodus 12:38). This mixed multitude was not of Israeli descent. Most likely, they were residents who were unhappy with the government of Egypt. This group may have also included captives from foreign conquests who availed themselves of the opportunity to escape when Israel departed. Perhaps the plagues that had come upon Egypt may have motivated some of these people to join the exodus from the country.
It didn't take long before this "mixed multitude" caused problems for Israel. When they received only manna to eat--despite the fact this provision was a miracle sent from God--they "fell to lusting", complaining against God. It didn't take long for the Israelites to be influenced by them and join in their murmuring. The people recalled what they called "the good things of Egypt"--the fish, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic (Numbers 11:4). Really? Somehow fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic don't seem to make up for living in slavery. Yet we often look "back to Egypt", desiring to embrace the fleeting pleasures of this world which will enslave us.
In response to their sin of murmuring, complaining, and looking back to the old life, God sent a plague which resulted in many deaths. He sent a flock of quails which was consumed by the people "...and while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague" (Numbers 11:33). The place where this sad event occurred was named "Kibroth-hattaavah", meaning "the graves of those who lusted."
When God calls you to go forth to your destiny, be careful about the "mixed multitude" that might want to join you. Without the same call and destiny, they will only cause you trouble. A "mixed multitude" that does not grasp your divine mandate will influence you negatively, just as they did Israel. They will murmur and complain about the circumstances and problems along the way, and--if you are not careful--you will fall prey to their negativity.
The "mixed multitude" is always looking back to the "good old days". You will hear comments like, "I remember when..." or "this isn't the way we do things around here". Your destiny does not lie in the bondage or traditions of the past. Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Your destiny lies in your future, not in your past. God says, "Behold, I do a new thing..." (Isaiah 43:29).
Do not try to travel the road to your destiny with a mixed multitude. Surround yourself with people of like vision and destiny. Joe Larson, a popular professional speaker, once recalled: "My friends didn't believe I could become a successful speaker. So I did something about it. I went out and found me some new friends."
PRAYER:
Lord, remove every voice that pulls me backward into old bondages and traditions. Surround me with those who carry Your vision and speak faith, not fear. Guard my heart from murmuring and longing for what You have already delivered me from. I choose the new thing You are doing and move forward without looking back.