WTFMT 61 (from 12 Feb 19 HGM)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-61
TEXT:   "Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us." (Deuteronomy 2:37)  

I.   LIMITATIONS

A. A secret: the greater our personal liberty the greater God's limitation in us. The greater our personal limitations the greater the freedom God has in us.
B. Moses could not capture just any city he chose. He was limited to that which God was giving them. Don't take! That will get us into trouble. Receive! That is the healthy, scriptural way. Most difficulties that believers have are of their own creation.
C. "Take" is the world's philosophy. It has invaded the Church and has caused many personal problems. It sets believers on the road of their own choosing.
D. A secret: perhaps the greatest secret to constant victory living is "seek not your own will, but the will of the Father. "This was the path of Jesus who could do nothing on His own. "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (John 5:30)
E. But many of today's Christians believe and feel that they are able to operate for God on their own. If they do not admit this with their mouth then they do with their lives. One we move out on our own in a direction or action of our own choosing we lose correctness. The reason for the accuracy of Jesus is very clearly stated, "my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
F. In the Wilderness of Kedemoth the main theme is forward progression. But in such a progression there should be a concern for accuracy. Otherwise there may be regression rather than progression. Otherwise our spiritual life may be more unhealthy than healthy. Otherwise we may have spiritual poverty rather than spiritual riches.
G. Thus it is imperative that we take His yoke upon us coming under His limiting factors. This applies in the natural realm as well as in the spiritual. Fulfillment in marital relationship is bound by limitations. Agriculture, transportation, everything we do is bound by limitations if we desire to come to fulfillment.
H. Even Moses moved apart from God taking his own direction in striking the rock (Numbers 20:8-12) instead of speaking to it, as God directed. As a result Moses was not permitted to lead the people into the Promised Land, coming to fulfillment to what God called him to do.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

A. If the Kedemoth in our lives is to be that which God intends it to be there must be progression, forward, healthy, prosperous progression. In order for this to be so there must be vision. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 29:18)
B. There can be no limitation without a vision. How could we be limited to God's ways if they do not come into our view? Because many do not have a vision, there is little or no progression in their Christian living. Our own ways often fill our visions. We must be willing to lay aside our own wills and seek the will of the Father.
C. If we have a desire to clobber the enemy we might first consider the will of the Father. He may not be moving in certain desires of ours. He may want us to wait for His timing.
D. When Satan came to Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus did not immediately bounce on him. Jesus stayed under the temptation until it was the Father's time for Him to say to Satan, "Get thee hence."
E. The Father can bring us into immediate action in some situations or it could be a situation in which we must wait until the Father's time arrives. Or it could be that the Father does not want us ever to mess with certain situations. We must have vision.