1. INTRODUCTION: (1.)Often times God’s promises are delayed in our lives Not because of others, but because of our own disobedience and 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 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.

2. Body: (A.)In Numbers 13 and 14, God told Israel to spy out the land of Promise 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 Deuteronomy 1:35 that the people did not believe and God kept them from entering the Promise Land. -God spent 40 years waiting on the first generation to die off -God spent 40 years waiting on the first generation to die off because of their unbelief. because of their unbelief. -Being attached to the wrong people (who don’t believe) -Being attached to the wrong people (who don’t believe) can hold us up and cause delay. can hold us up and cause delay.

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

4. Body: (E.)Instead of us focusing on the length of time, we must focus on preparing ourselves for the promise (Deuteronomy 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)!

5. Body: (E.)Instead of us focusing on the length of time, we must focus on preparing ourselves for the promise (Deuteronomy 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: (1.)Benefits of Desiring God: -Psalms 37:4-5 “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall -Psalms 37:4-5 “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit they way unto give thee the desires of thine heart. 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.”