THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM ENJOYING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD

Rev. Mike Jones, Lebanon FWB Church

      It seems today that the mark of Christianity is Restlessness, Rebellion, and wickedness. We hear tell of men in days gone by who had a zeal for God and reaped the Blessings of God but they seem to be little in evidence today. What has caused Christians to "hang their harps on the willows" (Ps 137:2) and mourn sore like doves? What causes Christians to jump from one Church to another seeking that elusive "something" they never seem to find?  What keeps us from enjoying the blessings of God??

      There are numerous answers to these questions but I think some illumination can be gained by looking at Israel. They had escaped the captivity of Egypt and were on their way to the Promised Land to enjoy God's Blessings. Four things, however, blocked their Blessings.

I. THE FEAR OF GIANTS- 10 of the spies brought back a glowing report of the Blessings and Bounty of Canaan Land. The "fly in the ointment", however, was the fact that they also reported Giants in the land. Israel allowed their Fear to overcome their Faith and turned away from God's Blessings.

      They missed God's plan for their lives and the nation ended up dying in the desert because they thought God's Blessings were dependent on man's strength. It is a sad story, but I wonder how many Church members today are living lives of "Quite Desperation" waiting to die in the desert because they refused to say with Paul, I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me  (Phil 4:13).

II. THE FURY OF JORDAN- When finally the Children of Israel agreed to enter the Promised Land the first thing they had to face was the Jordan River in all its fury. God did not bring them to the river at its lowest point; He brought them to the brink of the Jordan at Flood stage (Josh 3:15)!

      Is this where you fail? Did you think that as soon as you Claimed God's provision for Strength that all the obstacles would be removed and Life's Road would be easy? Instead, you found Jordan at its worst! We know that God turned this Road Block into a Benefit for Israel as He opened a way for them to cross but many Christians still allow unexpected problems and difficulties to become barriers to blessings in their life. Like James (1:24) we must learn to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations; knowing that the trying of our faith works patience. But let patience have her complete work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. If we will just press on by Faith the waters will part and Victory will be ours.

III. THE FORTRESS OF JERICHO- You have overcome the Giants and the Jordan but now that you are finally at the place of God’s leading you find that Blessings include Battles. What are you to do? You have traveled this far by Faith but now it makes mores "sense" to devise a scheme of your own. Especially since God's plan of action (simply marching around and around the problem) does not seem to work and makes you look foolish. You want to build weapons, dig tunnels, and train to fight. Instead, God asks you to simply trust Him and obey His instructions; until the walls come down and the victory is won.

      That is when you realize afresh that the battle is not yours but the Lords (2 Chron 20:15) and by using faith instead of flesh to do battle then God gets the Glory. This truth is especially helpful  when we finally recognize that in the battles of daily living we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against Principalities and Powers and Rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph 6: 12) so all of our fleshly abilities and skill mean almost nothing.

IV. THE FAILURE AT AI- This final killer of Blessings is so subtle and yet so deadly. Giants and Jordan and Jericho have all fallen before your constant Faith and now you look forward to enjoying the Victorious Life; when suddenly you are brought to crushing Defeat. Your prayers and soul searching brings the knowledge of a secret hidden sin. It seemed so small and insignificant at first until you overlooked it but now the Blessed Fellowship of God is broken and you hear Him say, neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you (Josh 7:12). The overwhelming truth that Sin separates us from God has come home to you. You realize that only as you remove the Sin can the Blessing of Victory be yours again.

      I wonder how many Christians and Churches today live in Defeat and Despondence instead of enjoying the Blessing and Bounty of the Lord because they have not dealt with Sin in their midst??

      The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro through out the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (II Chron 16:9). The Lord WANTS to Bless His people if they will just be "Blessable". What Hinders YOU from enjoying the Blessings of God??