Possessing God's Promises Through Faith and Action
Summary
The journey of Israel into the Promised Land is not just a story of ancient conquest, but a living picture of the believer’s life today. God’s promise to Abraham was a land, but by the time Joshua leads the people, that land is filled with giants and obstacles. The enemy always tries to fill up what God has promised with opposition, hoping to abort God’s plan. Yet, God’s call remains: take the land. The real issue for Israel—and for us—is not the size of the giants, but the willingness to trust and believe God’s promises. The most basic, yet most essential, exercise of faith is simply to trust God at His word, even when circumstances look impossible.
Canaan is not a picture of heaven, but of the victorious Christian life here and now. It’s a land of battles, victories, and sometimes setbacks. God never promised a life without struggle, but He did promise His presence and victory if we trust Him. Israel turned an 11-day journey into a 40-year wandering because they refused to believe. Only Joshua and Caleb, men of faith, entered the land. The rest became wanderers and whiners, missing out on God’s best because they wouldn’t pay the price of faith.
There is always a cost to believing God’s promises. Sometimes it means facing spiritual opposition, stepping out of comfort zones, or breaking free from family mindsets and mental strongholds. But the cost of not believing is far greater—lost years, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled destinies. God’s plan is bigger than just our personal blessing; it’s about His kingdom and purposes in the world. The promises of God are not automatic. They must be believed, spoken, and acted upon. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, to meditate on the Word day and night, and to act in faith. Internal courage, external meditation, and Spirit-led action are the keys to possessing what God has promised.
God’s promises are “yes and amen,” but we must step forward to possess them. The power is released when we agree with God, fill our minds with His Word, and move in obedience. The land is before us, but it’s up to us to take it, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
- Trusting God’s Promises Is Foundational
The most basic and essential part of walking with God is to trust and believe His promises, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Like Israel, we can easily neglect this simple act and end up wandering spiritually, missing out on God’s best. Faith is not just a one-time decision but a daily posture of the heart that says, “God, I believe You above what I see.” [04:27]
- The Cost of Faith Is Real, but the Cost of Unbelief Is Greater
Believing God will always cost us something—comfort, old mindsets, or facing spiritual battles. But refusing to believe costs far more: lost years, missed destinies, and spiritual stagnation. The wilderness is filled with those who would not pay the price of faith, but the land of promise is reserved for those who will. [18:46]
- God Moves Us from Pain to Promise
God’s way is always to move us from our pain into His promise. Focusing on past hurts or losses keeps us stuck, but healing comes as we set our eyes on what God has said and where He is leading. The only way to truly move forward is to let the promise of God become bigger than the pain of yesterday. [24:35]
- Internal Strength and External Meditation Are Both Required
To possess God’s promises, we need internal courage—strength that comes from God, not ourselves—and a mind filled with His Word. Meditating on Scripture is not about emptying our minds, but about filling them with God’s truth, muttering it to ourselves day and night, so that faith rises and the enemy’s lies are silenced. [33:51]
- The Promises of God Must Be Possessed, Not Just Admired
God’s promises are not automatic; they require action. It’s not enough to know or confess them—we must step out in obedience, trusting that God will meet us as we move. The purpose of the promise is possession, and the battle is here on earth, not in heaven. We are called to be people who take the land, not just talk about it. [42:19]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Setting the Stage: Joshua and the Promised Land
[02:58] - The Enemy’s Strategy: Giants in the Land
[04:27] - The Basic Principle: Trusting God’s Promises
[05:45] - The Consequences of Neglecting the Basics
[06:41] - Canaan: Not Heaven, but the Believer’s Life
[12:38] - The Cost of Believing and Taking the Land
[13:25] - Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
[14:45] - Breaking Family and Mental Strongholds
[18:46] - The High Cost of Unbelief
[20:21] - God’s Purposes Depend on Our Obedience
[22:39] - God Moves Us from Pain to Promise
[26:51] - God’s Promises Remain Despite Loss
[31:22] - Be Strong and Courageous: Internal Fortitude
[33:51] - Meditating on the Word: External Practice
[37:18] - Filling Your Mind with God’s Promises
[42:19] - Possessing the Promise: Action Required
[44:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Possessing the Promise
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### Bible Reading
Joshua 1:1–9 (ESV)
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Joshua 1:2–3, what did God command Joshua and the Israelites to do after Moses died? What did God promise them as they obeyed?
2. In Joshua 1:6–9, what are the repeated instructions God gives to Joshua? What does God say will be the result of following these instructions?
3. The sermon mentioned that Canaan is not a picture of heaven, but of the believer’s life now. What evidence from Joshua 1 or the sermon supports this idea? [[06:41]]
4. According to 2 Corinthians 1:20, what is God’s attitude toward His promises? How does this connect to what God says to Joshua?
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The Israelites turned an 11-day journey into 40 years of wandering. What does this reveal about the consequences of unbelief and the importance of trusting God’s promises? [[06:41]]
2. The sermon says there is a cost to believing God’s promises, but a greater cost to not believing. What are some examples of these costs, both for Israel and for us today? [[18:46]]
3. God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous and to meditate on the Word day and night. Why do you think both internal strength and external meditation are necessary for possessing God’s promises? [[33:51]]
4. The sermon points out that God’s promises are not automatic—they must be believed, spoken, and acted upon. What does it look like in real life to “possess” a promise rather than just admire it? [[42:19]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The most basic part of walking with God is to trust and believe His promises, even when circumstances look impossible. Is there a specific area in your life right now where you are struggling to trust God’s promise? What would it look like to trust Him in that area this week? [[04:27]]
2. The Israelites missed out on God’s best because they wouldn’t pay the price of faith. Are there comfort zones, old mindsets, or family beliefs that you sense God is asking you to step out of? What is one step you could take to move forward? [[13:25]]
3. The sermon says that focusing on past pain keeps us stuck, but healing comes as we set our eyes on God’s promise. Is there a past hurt or disappointment that you need to stop focusing on? What promise from God could you focus on instead? [[24:35]]
4. God told Joshua to meditate on the Word day and night. What is one practical way you can fill your mind with God’s Word this week? (For example: memorizing a verse, listening to Scripture, muttering a promise to yourself, etc.) [[37:18]]
5. The promises of God are “yes and amen,” but we must step forward to possess them. Is there a promise from God’s Word that you know, but have not yet acted on? What would it look like to take a step of obedience toward that promise? [[42:19]]
6. The sermon says God’s plan is bigger than just our personal blessing—it’s about His kingdom and purposes in the world. How might your obedience to God’s promises impact others around you, not just yourself? [[20:21]]
7. The cost of not believing is lost years, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled destinies. Looking back, is there a time when you missed out on something God had for you because of unbelief? What did you learn from that experience, and how can it shape your choices now? [[18:46]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to trust God’s promises, strength to step out in faith, and a renewed focus on God’s Word and His purposes.
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting and Believing God's Promises Is Foundational
The most basic and essential element of walking with God is to trust and believe His promises, just as the Israelites were called to do when entering the land of Canaan. Neglecting this foundational act leads to spiritual stagnation and missed blessings, much like neglecting a simple daily habit can have far-reaching negative effects. When we fail to trust God, we risk wandering in circles, never fully experiencing the life He intends for us. But when we choose to believe, even in the face of giants or obstacles, we open ourselves to God's faithfulness and provision. [04:27]
Joshua 1:1-3 (ESV)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you hesitating to trust God’s promises, and what is one step you can take today to actively believe Him in that area?
Day 2: There Is a Cost to Believing—and a Greater Cost to Not Believing
Believing God’s promises will always cost you something—whether it’s stepping out of your comfort zone, confronting family beliefs, or battling mental strongholds—but the cost of not believing is far greater, leading to missed destinies and spiritual loss. The Israelites’ refusal to trust God resulted in a 40-year delay and the loss of an entire generation, showing us that unbelief can have lasting consequences not just for ourselves, but for those around us. Choosing faith may require sacrifice, but it positions us to receive all that God has for us and to be part of His greater plan. [18:46]
Hebrews 3:18-19 (ESV)
And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Reflection: What is one comfort, habit, or belief you sense God asking you to leave behind so you can step into His promises, and what would it look like to surrender it today?
Day 3: God’s Promises Remain—Move from Pain to Promise
God’s purposes and promises do not die with our disappointments or losses; He calls us to move from focusing on our pain to focusing on His promise, which is the key to healing and moving forward. Even when we experience grief or setbacks, God’s plan continues, and He invites us to step into what He has prepared. By shifting our attention from what we’ve lost to what God has promised, we find the strength to rise up and possess the new territory He has for us. [24:35]
Joshua 1:5-6 (ESV)
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Reflection: Is there a painful situation or loss you’ve been dwelling on? How can you intentionally shift your focus to God’s promise for your future this week?
Day 4: Internal Strength and Courage Are Required to Possess God’s Promises
To walk in God’s promises, you must cultivate internal strength and courage, relying not on your own might but on the strength that comes from God within you. The enemy seeks out weakness, but God calls you to be strong and courageous, refusing to let fear or doubt dictate your actions. This inner fortitude is essential for overcoming obstacles and stepping into the inheritance God has set before you, and it is developed by trusting in His presence and power. [33:51]
Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel weak or fearful? How can you invite God’s strength and courage into that area today?
Day 5: Meditate on God’s Word and Act on His Promises
The promises of God are not automatic; they must be believed, meditated upon, and acted on. By keeping God’s Word continually in your mouth and mind, you align your thoughts and actions with His will, releasing His power into your life. It’s not enough to simply know the promises—you must speak them, meditate on them, and take Spirit-led action to possess what God has given you. [39:56]
Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Reflection: What is one promise from God’s Word you need to meditate on and declare over your life today, and what practical step can you take to act on it?
Quotes
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