Hosanna Restoration Church

Salvation in itself is the first greatest thing that ever happens to a person, but it was never God’s intention that it be the end of great things! No His intention is that salvation provide the entrance into true life. People who do not grasp this fact end up very much like Israel when they were saved from the Egyptian whips and went out with Joy headed for the Promised Land. They lost site of the promise and began to grumble instead when things did not happen the way they wanted. God’s promise never changed, but their attitude cost them dearly.

The promises of God are the same for everyone, but only those who walk in them will experience them. This reminded me of the draft process in professional sports. There is always a lot of hype about who will be the number one pick, and there are huge financial rewards to be won. Later on, they are always analyzing how the first picks turned out. Often times they find that those who were first did not do so well, and those who were last, lasted longer!

The opportunities are the same for the number one draft choice as they are for the person who just walks into a camp and asks to try out. The number one pick of course gets more attention to begin with, but if the “walk on” works hard he can surpass the number one pick if he fails to perform.

With God, we are all number one picks. If we come to camp and go to work applying the principles of His game book we are guaranteed success. If on the other hand, we come in and just sit down and do not apply ourselves we will have only ourselves to blame if we do not experience all the success that God promises. Worse yet, we may become bitter when others have success and dare to suggest that success is ours for the taking as well. Look what Israel did when Caleb and Joshua declared that the land was ready to be taken. They chose to complain and do nothing and as a result, only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land.

Perhaps you have hesitated to call for salvation because you have not seen the benefits. Unfortunately Christians don’t always display what God has planned. Or perhaps you have called for salvation, but did not realize it was only the beginning of what God has for you. Don’t settle for less than success. Don’t sit and fail to exercise your full potential.

I know that there are things that God has planned that I have not yet walked in. I am thankful that His mercy endures forever and that I can call on Him to send success. By the way, it may be that you will have to tie yourself to the promise to keep from pulling away when it does not go just the way you want. (Vs. 27) The devil does not like it when people come to salvation, and he really hates it when someone begins to walk in the promises of God. Successful Christians make his life really miserable.