Let Me Set Your Boundaries – A Word by Nathan Shaw

When God delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt it was only a partial deliverance. The reason is simple: God delivers us not only out of something but also into something—in the case of the Israelites, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Even before they came near the Promised Land God declared: “I will set your boundaries from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River, for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you will drive them out before you” (Exodus 23:31 NET). As I read this awesome promise I heard God speak directly to me: “Let Me set your boundaries.”

When God sets our boundaries He takes many things into consideration. His perspective is much larger and infinitely more detailed than ours. When He set the boundaries for the nation of Israel He was looking hundreds and even thousands of years into the future. When each generation walks in destiny it sets things up for subsequent generations to walk in theirs. But make no mistake, God takes intricate interest in each generation as if they were the only one. God sets boundaries for each person, ministry, church, nation and generation. When we allow God to set our boundaries the boundaries challenge our unbelief, awaken our faith, determine our warfare, and change our future.

God’s Boundaries Challenge Our Unbelief

God wants us to believe that He really is who He says He is (Hebrews 11:6). There’s no way around it—He has to challenge our unbelief. He draws us in by gently asking, “What can you believe for?” The question seems safe and innocent but it really only touches the surface of the issue. Once we have answered this question He probes even deeper, “What are your greatest dreams and desires?” Unbelief is the invisible antagonist that stands directly between us and the fulfillment of our greatest dreams and desires. God consistently probes and challenges us until we feel we have reached our limits. But even then He is not satisfied and ups the ante by simply saying, “Let Me set your boundaries.” It’s the big question: Will we believe Him for the fulfillment of His vision for our lives—a vision that is much bigger than our own. We were never created to live in a restrictive box. In fact, we are hard wired to live outside the confinement of possibility. On the other side of unbelief is a life of adventure and discovery.

God’s Boundaries Awaken Our Faith

Faith lies dormant until the seed of God’s promise lands on it. Faith is childlike trust in God’s absolute goodness and absolute faithfulness. When God promises something He fully intends to fulfill His promise. Faith isn’t a passive thing, it lives and breathes. It has an energy all of its own. Hebrews chapter 11 describes a litany of men and women who did great exploits and overcame against the odds. Everything they accomplished was done by faith. The generation that came out of Egypt made one fatal mistake: They didn’t respond to God’s voice with faith (Hebrews 4:2). Faith and possibility are awakened when we hear God’s voice. When we allow God to set our boundaries, the boundaries that limit our faith are removed.

God’s Boundaries Determine Our Warfare

It’s always helpful if we are engaged in the right warfare. Many people waste so much energy fighting battles that God never asked them to fight. At the tower of Babel all nations rebelled against God (Genesis 11:1-9). Israel could have fought against any nation and they would have been fighting God’s enemies. However, Israel didn’t choose her enemies, God did. Israel’s enemies were the nations occupying the territory that was specifically assigned to her. God’s boundaries were clear: “From the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River” (Exodus 23:31). He had determined the boundaries of the nation before the Israelites even saw the land. When we know God’s boundaries we can devote ourselves to the right warfare and stop fighting unnecessary battles.

God’s Boundaries Change Our Future

If we occupy the territory that God has set apart for us our future will be vastly different than if we simply occupy our immediate setting. Once the boundaries have been set, the battle of faith begins. The battle is custom designed to enlarge us internally. Slaves could not occupy the Promised Land, conquerors could. David lived as a fugitive, often hiding in caves and eventually seeking refuge in a foreign nation. David’s predicament limited him severely, but ultimately God’s boundaries determined his future. Those boundaries were enlarged three times. Firstly, he became king of the single tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-7). Secondly, he became king of all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-10). Thirdly, he conquered the surrounding nations (2 Samuel 8:1-14). God set the boundaries. David trusted God’s goodness and God’s word.

A Season of Transition

Israel went from the confinement of slavery in Egypt to the vastness of opportunity in the Promised Land. In-between was a season of transition that radically redefined their boundaries. We are in a similar season of transition. God spoke to Israel and said, “I will set your boundaries.” The declaration was certain, but they still had to let Him do it. Eventually Israel occupied the Promised Land. Likewise, after much testing, David ruled over the nations. God is trumpeting the same message to us today. He says, “Let Me define your territory. Let Me define the measure of your authority. Let Me set your boundaries. And above all else, trust Me, for I am trustworthy, and I keep My promises.”

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