Unclaimed

I don't think anyone would argue that it would be foolish to know you had the winning lottery numbers yet never claimed your prize. I think it is safe to say that no one in their right mind would forsake their newly attained treasure. If you played the lottery, you obviously hoped to win. I'm not much of a lottery player but if I won, I'm quite certain I would let them "show me the money!"

It was recently revealed to me that we leave treasure unclaimed all the time. This treasure has no monetary value but it is far more valuable to those who possess it. The treasure I speak of is God's promises to us. This is the concept of possessing His promises. David Guzik writes in his commentary of 2 Samuel 7, "Just because God promised doesn't mean that we possess." This really hit home with me. How many of God's promises are we leaving unclaimed? How many of His promises are we failing to possess?

God promises forgiveness if I confess my sins, yet I often fail to walk in this promise. (1 John 1:9 ) Rather than confess, believe His promise, and move forward, I confess, fret, and allow guilt and shame to dwell within me.

God promises "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding." (Philippians 4:7 ). Rather than live in this promised peace, I worry about things that will likely never happen and are far beyond my control.

God promises to provide not only for my needs (Philippians 4:19 ) but He "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Timothy 6:17 ) I find myself worried about things in this world that could affect provision for my family and I certainly fail to claim all of the blessings He has provided for me to enjoy.

God promises, on more than one occasion, never to leave me or forsake me, yet I sometimes feel alone. (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5 )

God promises to go before me and says He is with me, yet I often walk in fear of the unknown. (Deuteronomy 31:8 )

Finally, God promised to send me a helper (Holy Spirit) to guide me into all truth, yet I often walk through life as if I have no direction or guidance. (John 16:13 )

Reading Guzik's words helped me to realize it is time for me to possess my promises. Unlike most treasure, this is not hidden from us, it is not buried. All we have to do is claim His promises and possess them.

Satan would love for you and for me to leave our promises unclaimed. His ultimate goal is for us to go through life feeling guilty, ashamed, alone, afraid, and lost. Friend, we are none of these! Jesus came to set us free from all of the aforementioned!

Failing to possess our promises from God means we fail to live out the reason we were created. We were all created for a purpose and it isn't to live in fear. It isn't to live with guilt and shame. It isn't to live in defeat. If we will take possession of the promises of God, we can live victoriously!

Possess your promises, friends, and walk in His freedom!

Until next time...