WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 31, 2022 Â
TOPIC: RECEIVE YOUR OUTSTANDING BLESSINGS
BY T. O. BANSO
âAnd Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritanceâ (Joshua 14:13 New King James Version).
Caleb was a contemporary of Joshua. They were the spies who gave a minority report that the Israelites should go and possess the land of Canaan. The other ten spies sent by Moses returned with a report that discouraged the Israelites from going to possess the land (Numbers 13:26-33; 14:1-10). Their evil report delayed the Israelites from entering the Promised Land for forty years.
When Joshua and Caleb brought back a positive, encouraging, or faith report, Moses swore that Hebron would be given to Caleb as an inheritance (Joshua 14:9; Numbers 13:22; 14:23-24;). Moses said in Deuteronomy 1:35-36, âSurely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, ‘except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORDâ (New King James Version).
Joshua took over from Moses after his death and he led Israel to begin to conquer the land of Canaan and share the land. One day, some men from the tribe of Judah, Calebâs tribe, came to Joshua in Gilgal. Caleb was among them. He reminded Moses of the mountain (Hebron) that Moses had sworn would be given to him as his inheritance and his children’s forever. Caleb said God had kept him alive for forty-five years after Moses’ promise. He was 85 years old when he came to Joshua to demand the fulfillment of the promise. âAnd now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years oldâ (Joshua 14:10 New King James Version).
Caleb said he was that day strong as he was the day Moses sent him as one of the spies. He added that as his power was then, so was his power for battle at the time he was talking to Joshua. âAs yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming inâ (Joshua 14:11 New King James Version).
This was an 85-year-old man asking for his outstanding blessing Ââ an inheritance promised him forty years earlier, yet to be allocated to him to possess. He didnât consider the time too late. He didnât say he would soon die; therefore, he shouldnât bother himself. This was not an inheritance for him alone but also for his children forever, as Caleb said thus in Joshua 14:9: âSo Moses swore on that day, saying, âSurely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my Godââ (New King James Version).
Standing before Joshua, Caleb said, âNow therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD saidâ (Joshua 14:12 New King James Version).
Joshua didnât deny Caleb his request because he was conversant with what he was talking about. Both had given a positive report to go and possess the land they had explored. Therefore, he granted his request. âAnd Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritanceâ (Joshua 14:13 New King James Version). Hebron became Calebâs inheritance because he wholly followed the LORD and demanded what Moses had sworn would be his inheritance and his children’s forever.
Are there some outstanding blessings you are yet to experience or enjoy? Are there some blessings that God has promised you in His Word or through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, that are yet to be fulfilled in your life? It is not too late yet for you to receive and enjoy these outstanding blessings. Donât give up on them or throw them away. They can still become a reality in your life. Whatever God has said in His Word or through the Holy Spirit concerning you can still be fulfilled. Itâs not late yet to receive any outstanding blessing.
Caleb asked for his inheritance 45 years after Moses swore that it would be given to him, and he still got it. He said the LORD had kept him alive for forty-five years. God has also kept you alive to enjoy your outstanding blessings. If theyâve been outstanding for less than or more than forty-five years, you will enjoy them in Jesusâ name.
As Jesus said, have faith in God (Mark 11:22). Continue to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30). Keep thanking Him for all He has done already. Always be joyful; never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). Philippians 4:6 says you should not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Make your outstanding blessings your prayer focus.
Keep confessing Godâs promises. Donât give up on God or the blessings He has promised you. Most importantly, be obedient to God. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). God prefers obeying His voice to burnt offerings and sacrifices. To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).
Fulfilment is still possible. Heaven and earth shall pass away but Godâs words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). Receive your outstanding blessings.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: I shall not die but live to declare the works of God. Godâs purpose for my life shall be fulfilled. I shall live to enjoy the fulfilment of the promises of God. Father, I receive all my outstanding blessings; none shall be delayed or hindered in Jesusâ name. I shall not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, I shall make your requests known to God. Everyone waiting for the manifestation of their outstanding blessings shall not be frustrated or suffer depression. They shall soon share their testimonies in Jesusâ name.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
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Website: www.cedarministry.org