I remember when God gave me the vision for this ministry. He showed me all that He desired it to be. And, although that vision was amazing, the journey to get there has been a bit frustrating. At times, I’ve looked at my situation and said to God, “This looks nothing like what you’ve shown me. Why am I here? I’m ready to get to the place that you’ve prepared for me…the place that you’ve called me to.” I’ve even prayed the Jabez prayer, “Lord bless me and enlarge my territory.” Until now, I’ve felt like He has been slow to answer my prayers, but that’s not true at all. He’s been moving…He’s been expanding my territory…just not in the way I thought He would.
He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10 NLT)
The scripture says that the Lord granted Jabez’ request. But if I’m honest, I have a few questions. How long did it take for Jabez to receive the answer to his prayers? Did it take a few months or years? Was there a long process that he had to go through? I think that these are all valid questions.
Throughout the bible, God always led His people through a process, as he enlarged their territories.
When we look at Joseph, son of Jacob, in the book of Genesis, we see that he went through a very long process, as God enlarged his territory. His story is quite extensive, but to sum it up, God gave him a vision that he would become a prominent man, but over the next several years, his life looked nothing like God promised it would. First, he was enslaved; and then, he was falsely imprisoned. But during each of those seasons, God was expanding his territory. As a slave, Joseph was placed in charge of his master’s home. And as a prisoner, he was placed in charge of the rest of the prisoners. The Lord’s favor followed Joseph everywhere he went.
But, I want us to understand something about Joseph. He was faithful wherever he was, and that is so remarkable. Just think about it. He was sold by his own brothers into slavery. He was imprisoned for something that he didn’t even do. If anyone had a reason to be bitter, it was Joseph. If anyone had a reason to throw in the towel and give up, it was Joseph. Yet, he kept going. He kept serving. He remained faithful. And that is why God enlarged his territory.
God enlarges our territories when we are faithful.
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities." (Luke 16:10 NLT)
When we look at the children of Israel as they set out for the promised land, we see that God took them through a process.
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. (Exodus 13:17-18 NLT)
God knew that the children of Israel needed to go through a process, before he could enlarge their territory. So what did He do? He led them in a roundabout way. He wanted them to learn how to trust and obey His voice…even in the face of unfavorable circumstances…even in the face of their fear and doubt. And, as we follow their story, we see just how vital these lessons were.
In Numbers 13 and 14, we see that God instructed Moses to send 12 scouts into the promised land, but 10 out of 12 returned with a bad report. Instead of having faith that God would fulfill His promise, they put their faith in what they saw…that their enemies were too great to defeat. Instead of building faith in God’s people, this bad report caused them to lose their faith in God. They no longer had faith that God would fight for them...that they could conquer the promised land. They decided that they would rather return to Egypt or even die in the wilderness. And as a result, they lost their promise.
Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. (Numbers 14:26-30 NLT)
But, I want us to pay attention to the end of the passage, because God did allow two men to enter into the promised land– Joshua and Caleb. Why? Because they made the decision to trust God in spite of what they saw. They reasoned that they would obey His voice, no matter what.
God enlarges our territories when we are obedient.
There’s just one last story that I want us to look at, and that is the story of King David. He was anointed king of Israel as a young man, but the process of God enlarging his territory took several years. First, he was a shepherd. Then, he was a servant to the king. Next, he was a commander in the king’s army. And then, he was a man on the run. But in every season, God was with him. In every season, God was enlarging his territory.
David’s story is extensive. But I want to point out a couple of his qualities. First, David was always submissive to God. It didn’t matter what happened. It didn’t matter whether his life was threatened, or whether he had the power to take matters into his own hands. He always understood his position under the authority of God.
He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my Lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul… (1 Samuel 24:6-7 NLT)
The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let’s get out of here!” (1 Samuel 26:11 NLT)
Not only was David submitted to God, he was humble, a man after God’s own heart. He followed God's instructions, understanding that God was in control of his promise.
…for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (1 Samuel 13:14 NLT)
God enlarges our territories when we remain humble.
When we are faithful, obedient, and humble, we are in a place where God can enlarge our territories. Why? Because these qualities show God that we are prepared for the next season that He has for us.
Greater Territory equals greater responsibility.
I’m believing for God to expand my territory, and I’m sure you are as well. But, we must understand that a larger territory comes with greater responsibility. The ministry comes with a greater responsibility. The higher position comes with a greater responsibility. The financial increase comes with a greater responsibility. And our good and loving Father would never give us something that we aren’t ready for.
I have three children– 12, 9, and 3. And, I give each of them the amount of responsibility that they can handle. But what if I decided to give them greater responsibilities before they were ready? What if I allowed my 3 year old to use the stove? What if I allowed my 9 year old to stay home alone? What if I allowed my 12 year old to drive a car? I’m almost certain that all of these situations would be detrimental. You see, all of these scenarios put my children at risk, and as a mother…I will avoid that at all costs.
Maybe it feels like you’ve been waiting on God for way too long. But, I want you to consider that He is enlarging you right where you are. He’s giving you the opportunity to be faithful right where you are. He’s giving you the opportunity to be obedient and humble right where you are. And at the right time, He will give you the opportunity to be faithful, obedient, and humble in a greater territory.
For a moment, I want you to reflect on how you’ve been processing this season of your life. Have you been faithful in the small things, or have you slacked off because you’re tired of doing the same thing? Have you been obedient in this season, or have you gone your own way because it makes more sense? Are you humble in the position you’re in right now, or are you bitter because you aren’t where you want to be?
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:13 NLT)
I do my best to encourage people through my journey of faith. And lately, this has been my go to scripture. It has been my prayer. Why? Because I can’t do this without the power of God. I need Him to give me the desire to obey him when his instructions don’t make sense, or even when I don’t feel like it. I need Him to give me the power to walk in faith, especially towards the impossible. And He has never failed me. He empowers me over and over again.
God empowers me, and He will empower you.
The same God that gives me strength, will give you strength. He will give you the desire that you don’t have. He will give you the power that you don’t have. He will enable you to keep going…to keep believing, until you see your promise…until you receive the territory that He has for you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the amazing vision that you have spoken over me. Thank you for giving me a promise. Thank you for giving me a purpose. Thank you for giving me hope. Today, I have been reminded that your promise comes with a process, and I pray that you would help me to walk through that process with faithfulness, obedience, and humility. I ask that you would give me the desire and the ability to do what pleases you. I pray that you will strengthen me for this journey. I declare that I will follow you, and I will wait for you, until I receive the territory that you have for me. I love you Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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