Move to The Next Level

You have dwelt on this mountain for too long. Now get up and take possession of the land that I am going to give you.

This can never be put in a better way. There are so many thing that we have dwelt on for so long. The children of Israel had dwelt on Mt. Sinai for forty years. God wanted them to move on and posses the land. Receiving Christ is the first step of the Christian faith. By believing in His death on the cross and His resurrection, we receive our salvation. Thereafter, God requires of us that we may move on to the next level by faith.

The children of Israel had seen God’s deliverance and provision for all those years yet they never got the faith to move into the Promised Land. We may have been saved for decades or months or just a few days, but the question is, what are you doing to posses that which God has in store for you? This may not only be in material possession, but they may include increasing your sphere of influence - drawing people to God’s kingdom.

When some of us were born again, we were zealous and willing to share our faith with so many around us. We hoped to save the whole world and wished our friends and family members knew this truth we had found. After some time of preaching to them and never seeing a difference, we resigned to fate and complied with the status quo. We felt incompetent. All along, we have been unwilling to take part in God’s work since we feel that God isn’t willing to use us. For such a long time we have dwelt on these feelings of incompetence and unworthiness that we have done nothing to expand God’s kingdom. It is time to move on to the next level. For how long will you dwell on your inabilities?

The spies that went out to Canaan came with some incredible truths about the land. They even carried the grapes to prove that the land was indeed good. But the people chose to believe the lies. It is true that they looked like grasshoppers but isn’t it an exaggeration when they say “and indeed we were”? It could be true that you and I are incompetent when compared to some professor somewhere, but does that make us useless or rather incompetent in all spheres of life. Looking like a grasshopper doesn’t make one a grasshopper, does it?

You and I need to have faith and confidence in God if we are to move to the next level. Faith in the idea he had when He created us. Faith in His choice for our families, nationalities and friends. Believing that His plan is the best. It is only faith that will enable us see the possibilities amidst all the impossibilities, helping us see our greatness when we look like grasshoppers.

It also requires that w fully obey His word. It is only when we live in total obedience to God’s word that we are able to achieve His purposes and accomplish much. Samuel told Saul that disobedience is worse than the sin of witchcraft. My understanding of witchcraft is that it is a form of idolatry. When we disobey God, we are simply not worshiping Him but pledging our allegiance to someone else. Obedience to God gives us confidence in that we are not afraid of the consequences of our actions for we know who our commander is. The consequences of our actions are bearable once we know that we are obeying God’s voice.

The other significant requirement is determination. We have to be determined to fallow through our actions in faith and obedience to God. Having put our confidence in God, we need to be determined in our hearts that nothing will stop us. Indeed there will be discouragements, but with a determined heart, we need to put off all those voices that speak lies. Determination silences every wind of false doctrine. We need to be determined to know God’s will and act upon His instruction. I believe that whoever earnest searches for truth without prejudice will find it. God promises to fill those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness. If we are ever to yearn for anything, let it be for God’s righteousness. Let us be determined to know Him better and move on to the next level.

And so I ask, what is this mountain in your life that you have dwelt on for this long? Is it financial security, career development or family? You may have all along said, “When I start earning a better salary, I will be able to give more”. Yet if we can’t learn to take care of the little we have then we can’t be trusted with much either. You need to move on now in your giving for you may have dwelt on this scarcity mentality for too long. You may say “when I get married or finish school, then I will be in a better position to serve God”. Well within the school setting or in your single hood, there are so many people who need to hear the good news of God’s salvation. They can only best be reached by those in their category. We all need to start creating influence within our spheres of operation. Let us all purpose to move on to the next level.