INTRODUCTION:INTRODUCTION:(1.)Often times God’s promises are delayed in our lives Not (1.)Often times God’s promises are delayed in our lives Not because of others, but because of our own disobedience and because of others, but because of our own disobedience and unbelief.unbelief. -When we experience delay, we must first examine -When we experience delay, we must first examine ourselves.ourselves.(2.)The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 1:2 that the journey (2.)The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 1:2 that the journey from Egypt to the Promise Land was only an 11 day journey.from Egypt to the Promise Land was only an 11 day journey. -Israel has experienced a 40 year delay from the Promise -Israel has experienced a 40 year delay from the Promise Land because of their own disobedience and unbelief.Land because of their own disobedience and unbelief. -It is sometimes true that we our own worst enemy to -It is sometimes true that we our own worst enemy to God’s promises being fulfilled in our lives.God’s promises being fulfilled in our lives.

Body:Body:(A.)In Numbers 13 and 14, God told Israel to spy out the land (A.)In Numbers 13 and 14, God told Israel to spy out the land of Promise of Promise THAT HE ALREADY GAVE THEM.THAT HE ALREADY GAVE THEM. -12 spies went out; 2 came back with a good report and 10 -12 spies went out; 2 came back with a good report and 10 came back with an evil report.came back with an evil report. -When people speak against God’s promise, we must -When people speak against God’s promise, we must choose to believe God over man (Isaiah 53:1).choose to believe God over man (Isaiah 53:1).(B.)After all that God did for Israel, the Bible tells us in (B.)After all that God did for Israel, the Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 1:35 that the people did not believe and God Deuteronomy 1:35 that the people did not believe and God kept them from entering the Promise Land.kept them from entering the Promise Land. -God spent 40 years waiting on the first generation to die -God spent 40 years waiting on the first generation to die off off because of their unbelief.because of their unbelief. --Being attached to the wrong peopleBeing attached to the wrong people (who don’t believe) (who don’t believe) can hold us up and cause delay.can hold us up and cause delay.

Body:Body:(C.)The Bible tells us in Numbers 13 and 14 that Israel did NOT (C.)The Bible tells us in Numbers 13 and 14 that Israel did NOT believe God because of PROBLEMS IN THE PROMISE (giants believe God because of PROBLEMS IN THE PROMISE (giants and walled cities).and walled cities). -God allows problems in the promise to keep us dependent -God allows problems in the promise to keep us dependent on him.on him. --How we see our problemHow we see our problem can hold us up and cause delay. can hold us up and cause delay.(D.)The giants were not the only focus that delayed the (D.)The giants were not the only focus that delayed the progress of Israel.progress of Israel. --Numbers 13:33Numbers 13:33 ‘we are as grasshoppers in our own sight…’ ‘we are as grasshoppers in our own sight…’ --How we see ourselvesHow we see ourselves can hold us up and cause delay. can hold us up and cause delay.

Body:Body:(E.)Instead of us focusing on the length of time, we must (E.)Instead of us focusing on the length of time, we must focus on preparing ourselves for the promise (Deuteronomy focus on preparing ourselves for the promise (Deuteronomy prepares the second generation to enter the Promise Land).prepares the second generation to enter the Promise Land). -VS.4 The Lord your God is one (This Distinguished Israel).-VS.4 The Lord your God is one (This Distinguished Israel). -The inhabitants of the Land served multiple gods.-The inhabitants of the Land served multiple gods. -Israel was to stay true to God before and after the -Israel was to stay true to God before and after the fulfillment of the promise.fulfillment of the promise. -NRS is to stay true to God before and after the fulfillment -NRS is to stay true to God before and after the fulfillment of the promise (MANY SOULS SAVED)!of the promise (MANY SOULS SAVED)!

Body:Body:(E.)Instead of us focusing on the length of time, we must (E.)Instead of us focusing on the length of time, we must focus on preparing ourselves for the promise (Deuteronomy focus on preparing ourselves for the promise (Deuteronomy prepares the second generation to enter the Promise Land).prepares the second generation to enter the Promise Land). -VS.5 “Love (desire) the Lord thy God with all thine heart, -VS.5 “Love (desire) the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they might.”and with all thy soul, and with all they might.” -God gave Israel the land, but he still wanted them to desire -God gave Israel the land, but he still wanted them to desire him more than anything.him more than anything. -God wants us to desire him more than anything else.-God wants us to desire him more than anything else.

Close:Close:(1.)(1.)Benefits of Desiring God:Benefits of Desiring God: --Psalms 37:4-5Psalms 37:4-5 “ “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit they way unto Commit they way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”