Sometimes God gives us a period of time in a comfort zone. It’s a phase of rest meant to be temporary. Before going to battle, warriors need to be trained and prepared, but they also need to be well-rested. 

For the Israelites, forty years passed while they wandered the desert between leaving Egypt and entering the land God had promised to them. God used that time to grow the offspring of the Israelites. He fed them manna and quail, nourished them with water, spoke to them from mountaintops and from blazing fires, led them through the wilderness through a cloud by day and by a pillar of fire in the night, and was with them when anyone came against them. He provided and supplied for them during their forty year sojourn through the wilderness so they could rest, grow, prosper and prepare for what they would need to do to take back their ancestral promised land. 

But, then, one day… 

The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain.” (Deuteronomy 1:6)

God told the people their time in the comfort zone was over. It was time to accomplish what The Creator of the universe had prepared them for. 

See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them. (Deuteronomy 1:8) 

And, again, since He knew they had a history of being fearful, doubtful human-beings, He reaffirmed to them that the time had come to take their inheritance. He had prepared them for the challenges that they would come against and He had promised to be with them. They were intimidated by the people of the land, knowing that these people were as tall as giants and had a mean reputation. They also knew Moses wouldn’t live to take possession of the land and they would lose him before entering. Who would replace the man who had guided them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, spoke to God on their behalf, and by the grace of God had cured them from plagues and snake bites? Yet, God said the time had come.

See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 1:21)

Isn’t that powerful? He told them not to be afraid. He told them not to be shocked or worried about the people they would come against or the journey they would take. The LORD had given them the land. All they had to do was trust Him, accept their destiny and allow God to fulfill the promise He had made to them. 

That’s the way things are with us as well. God gives us a period of rest when He’s preparing us for something big. He gives us a comfort zone. That time isn’t meant to be wasted or stagnant. It’s a time meant for us to grow, learn, adjust, prepare and get ready to take on the battles we’ll need to win in order to accomplish His purpose for us. 

Whether you’re hearing God’s still, small voice calling to you like a whisper or if you hear it like a booming thunder or from a blazing fire, and you know in your heart He’s telling you you’ve stayed long enough at the comfortable mountain where you’ve been… pick up your tent and GO. 

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be worried. The Creator of the entire universe has planned your future just as perfectly as He planned the sun and the moon. He has called you to it, and promised it to you. He has given you a period of time to rest and prepare. He’s told you not to be afraid. The victory is already yours; you just have to be willing to leave the comfort zone you’re in and go make it happen. Your inheritance is waiting!