By Reverend J. Loren Russell, BA, MDiv.
Deuteronomy 8:7-10a (KJV)
For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full…
Gifts sometimes come wrapped and boxed. The excitement gets better when the box is opened and it contains something that we really want. Last week, my article was entitled, “Know What’s Expected of You.” During my radio show, I asked a challenging question for the listeners to ponder; “What would you dare to do if you knew it was impossible to fail?” The question was asked to prompt listeners to look within themselves for their greatest desire, that one thing that they really want but seems impossible to achieve.
I knew I was pushing the envelope, but there are very serious matters in our world that require people to stretch themselves beyond their comfort zones and what they think is possible. If we are bold enough to openly talk about those dreams and aspirations, we are cultivating the seed that has been placed within us. That seed includes the ability to achieve the desire, even those that seem impossible.
The Israelite’s had been in Egyptian captivity for four hundred years. They dared to seek their freedom, to cry out to the Lord for deliverance…, and they were heard. Not only were they going to be freed, but they were going to be prospered beyond anything they could have imagined. The box of blessing they would receive would be a land flowing with milk and honey. Their box would be filled with “brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.” They got the box, but they had to open it.
What always amazes me is how God works when we allow ourselves to dare to dream impossible dreams. One of the listeners to Matters of Faith: The Radio Show called me the day after a broadcast to tell me that she voiced her impossible dare and the next morning received a call offering her exactly what she thought was impossible. Her box was opened.
What is your impossible dream, and what are you going to do when your box is opened? In the verses that follow those in the text, the Lord told the Israelite’s what they should do once their box was opened. He said; “…, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:” (Deut. 8:10-11 KJV).
Once your box is opened, the Bible says we are to bless the Lord, keep His commandments, keep His judgements and keep His statutes. In other words, we are not to forget who planted the seed in us then gave us the ability to achieve our impossible dreams. What are you going to do now that your box is open?
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen here or by phone at 626-226-1448. Be sure to friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. You can also use the email to order his new book, Matters of Faith: The Book.
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