Joshua 18:1-3 tells us of a rebuke that Joshua gave to seven tribes of the children of Israel. The promised land had been subdued, but these tribes had not yet gone in to possess the land that was already theirs. In verse three, Joshua asks, "How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?" In my way of thinking he said, "When are you going to get off your lazy backsides and take the land that God has given as your inheritance?"

Let's be blunt; fear will produce hesitation in our lives. It does that because many times we get comfortable in our current circumstances. If we go in to take more of what God has provided it will demand change in our lives. I'll have to leave my comfort zone and take on new responsibilities. I may not want to undertake this new endeavor because there are too many unknown factors to deal with. In this subtle way, fear has caused many wonderful believers to tolerate a certain degree of bondage and settle for less than God's best for their lives and the lives of their families.

The Lord however has great pleasure in those that dare to step out in faith. Hebrews 10:38-39 says, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Faith causes us to believe God's Word is true. Fear of the unknown will vanish as we begin to trust that Jesus will not set us up for failure. As we dare to believe the Bible, our comfort zones become "uncomfortable" and the unknown becomes solid and clear. Faith will promote us to a place beyond ordinary into the arena of "extra" ordinary! Have a great week.

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