It’s Time to Put Your Foot Down and Take Hold of God’s Promises

Do you remember your mom ever saying, “I’m going to have to put by foot down on this one!” When my mom said those words, I knew she meant “no means no and don’t mention it again. I’m not budging.” With those words, I knew the battle was over. I had lost.

I was surprised to learn my mom’s declaration was very biblical! After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, that first generation of slaves-set-free were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Their grumbling and unbelief caused God to put a big “Do Not Enter” sign at the entrance.

But after that generation died off and the next generation came along, they believed God would do what He said He would do. They moved forward to take hold of the promises and claim what their parents never would. What made the difference? Let’s see what God’s told Joshua just before they crossed the Jordan.

After the death of Moses, God said to Joshua, Moses’ aide,

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.  (Joshua 1:2-3)

It’s that sentence “I will give you every place where you set your foot,” that stops me in my tracks every time. God had given the Israelites the land, but they still had to take hold of it. They had to put their foot down and take hold of the promise.

I just love miracles. Don’t you? I love reading about times when God mysteriously and supernaturally intervenes in someone’s life—times when what was impossible with man became a reality with God.

But almost every time, God performed a miracle in the Bible, He required men and women to participate—to put their foot down.

• Build an ark.
• Lift your staff.
• Fill your jug.
• Gather jars.
• Make a cake.
• Blow a trumpet.
• Give a shout.

Jesus echoed his Father’s cadence in the New Testament.

• Take up your mat.
• Cast your nets.
• Stretch out your hand.
• Wash off the mud.
• Look in the fish’s mouth.
• Roll away the stone.
• Stand up straight.
• Go and tell.

Yes, God does miracles, and He will do miracles in our lives. And He invites us to participate in the unveiling.

In every one of the above-mentioned moments, God’s power followed someone’s obedience. The key to experiencing the wonderworking power of God in our lives is tethered to obedience. It is the pathway to miracles and the paved-way marvels.

God’s promises are not automatic. We must move from knowing, to believing, to actually taking hold of the promises to make them a reality.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.”

Here’s my declaration: I will not let human reasoning talk me out of my spiritual inheritance.
I will step into every promise God has given me.

Here’s my question for you: Where is God asking you to put your foot down?

A promise you’ve hesitated to believe?
A step you’ve been afraid to take?
A truth you’ve known—but haven’t lived?

Today, I’m putting my foot down and taking hold of God’s promises.

Heavenly Father, I have been so wishy-washy when it comes to taking hold of Your promises and making them mine. But today, I’m putting my foot down! I will not allow my human reason to talk me out of my spiritual inheritance. I will set my foot down on every promise that You have given me today.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Where do you need to take your next step of obedience? Leave a comment and let’s share. 

Digging Deeper

I hope this devotion got you fired up! I’m fired up just writing it!!

If you’d like to learn more about how to take hold of every promise God has already given you, then Take Hold of the Faith You Long For is the book for you! It also includes a Bible study guide in the back…which is perfect for women’s study groups.

And if your women’s Bible study group does Take Hold of the Faith You Long  For, and has 20 or more attendees, I’d love to pop in via zoom and say hello!

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