Claiming Our Promised Land

One of the real delights of this job as a pastor is the privilege of getting to know so many of God’s wonderful people. Over the years I have been blessed to have known some of God’s choice servants. Looking back I would have to say that among my fondest acquaintances have been some of God’s senior saints.

One such person was a dear elderly and lovable woman I knew as Miss Stamey. I call all my senior ladies Miss. Some of you knew her as Mrs. Ethel Stamey, retired widow who lived just behind the church in a small, white, wooden house. Miss Stamey was more than a church member to me, she was my neighbor. When I came to pastor this great church in April of 1990, Miss Stamey was one of our first visitors. She walked across her property to say hello and to welcome her new pastor and his family.

Over the next few years Miss Stamey, my children and I shared often the sweet fellowship that only a pastor knows with his people. Often my children would disappear only to be found at Miss Stamey’s house. She always found something in her cupboard for my babies. She love them and they loved her. I delighted to share some of the fresh vegetables from my garden which if the truth were known very likely crossed over a few feet on her property.

Perhaps the most vivid memory I have of Miss Stamey is the afternoon we sat together, swinging in her outside swing. Looking toward the church which at that time was building on our new educational building, Miss Stamey shared with me with great delight her desire that one day our church would have her property to use for the building up of God’s kingdom. She was thrilled to see the growth of the church, the new people who were being won to Christ and her heart’s desire was that we be able to have her property in order to expand our base of ministry into the future.

Miss Stamey reminds me of yet another senior saint of biblical proportions. Caleb was a strong and determine old warrior who was determined that God’s people would receive the land of promise. Look with me at Numbers 13:26-33.

Look first at verses 1 and 2. (Read vv. 1-2a) Number 13 gives to us the historical account of Moses sending the twelve spies (scouts) into the promised land. According to Deuteronomy 1:22, the people of Israel decided to form a “Property Search Committee” to survey the land, it’s cities and its inhabitants. Notice that it was never the responsibility of this select group of 12 to determine whether or not they were able to take the land! God had already said, “Go up and possess it..”

Deuteronomy 1:21

21 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)

God said, “Go get it. It’s yours!” But then one of the saddest accounts of a people with little or no faith is given in the rest of the story. (Read Numbers 13:31-14:4)

God had brought his people from Egyptian bondage to the border of Canaan Land, the Promised Land, where the people halted in faith. Because they would not believe God, because they would not trust God, God sent them back. Back into the wilderness where they would roam aimlessly for the next forty years. ( Read 14:26-34)

First Baptist Icard is standing at the border of our promised land. Trusting that God wants to provide us with what was once the property of Miss Ethel Stamey is only the beginning of our claiming our promised land. For people of faith, there is far more to come.

I. WE MUST SEE THE WORTH OF THE LAND, 17-21

II. WE MUST NOT DOUBT GOD’S PROMISE, 14:6-9

III. WE MUST LOOK BEYOND THE NEGATIVES, 28-29

IV. WE MUST BELIEVE IN OURSELVES AND IN GOD, 30-33

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