"I often meet numerous Believers who seem to be stranded in a spiritual wilderness. God has given you the gift of freedom, yet you have not ventured beyond the boundary. You're not situated where God envisions you to be."

Transiting a border control post may bring about a sense of trepidation. For instance, First Lady Donece and I traveled to Canada, where we were subjected to identity verification. The security personnel meticulously scanned our passports, exhibited a firm expression, and returned them to me, stating, "You're denied entry. Sir, there's no more room for stamps." A wave of anxiety overtook me. Hastily flipping through the passport, I breathed a sigh of relief upon finding a vacant spot. This minor oversight had nearly thwarted my journey and restricted my border crossing.
It makes me ponder, how many of us, spiritually, remain trapped on one side of the boundary, distanced from our divine destination? I often meet numerous Believers who seem to be stranded in a spiritual wilderness. God has given you the gift of freedom, yet you have not ventured beyond the boundary. You're not situated where God envisions you to be. You feel drained and apprehensive and struggle to find the spiritual serenity that God assures His progeny. Our current study of Joshua depicts the Israelites on the verge of the Promised Land, the haven designed by God for them.

Having escaped Egyptian enslavement, they pursued Moses into the wilderness. But their defiance and skepticism turned the journey into a lengthy, grueling process. They were hesitant to trust in God, so they found themselves stranded in a less-than-ideal place for 40 years, unable to reach the Promised Land. This territory symbolized God's vows to His people, providing them with expanded dominion, triumph over adversaries, His intimate presence, resilience, and bravery.
What was expected of them? Steadfastness, bravery, adherence to God's decree, with an unwavering focus on Him. Yet, they were stranded, a predicament in which we can also find ourselves. We often hesitate to act faithfully upon God's call, and such postponed obedience is, in reality, disobedience. My friend, if you discern God's call, do not resist. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to heed God's call from the wilderness into His assurances: "The promise to enter His rest is still valid; let us ensure that none of you fall short of it. By stepping forward with conviction, we can embody the truth of our salvation, comply with His commands, and partake in His plentiful tranquility.