Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Roger was the father of a friend of mine, and he was a very successful businessman. That's probably why a neighbor approached Roger one day and asked him if he wanted to be involved in a new hamburger chain he was starting. It was a little outfit called McDonald's. Roger was offered the fourth franchise in this brand new venture and a founding share. Roger thought about it and then said, "No, thanks." Ouch! Later, another neighbor came to Roger and told him about this new business he was launching called Service Master. Would Roger like to get in the ground floor with an investment? Roger thought about it and then he said, "No, thanks." Double ouch! As McDonald's and Service Master grew to be some of the most successful companies in the world, I wonder what must have gone through Roger's mind. He had been on the brink of so much wealth, but he missed it because of one decision.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Threshold Of The Treasure."
Tragically, so many of God's children have made those same kinds of decisions. You may be on the edge of one right now. God is ready to include you in some wonderful blessing He wants to bring into your life, but whether or not you get what He wants to give you depends on a decision you make. You may be on the threshold of treasure He wants to give you - it may be an emotional treasure, a financial blessing, the answer to a long-prayed prayer, a special relationship, a new beginning, maybe a greater impact in your ministry, or a breakthrough in some impossible situation. But, like that man who missed his share of Ronald McDonald's fortune, it may all come down to your making the right decision.
It did for God's ancient people in our word for today from the Word of God. It's in Numbers 13, beginning with verse 30. The Jews are on the brink of incredible blessing as they stand at the border of the Promised Land. Twelve scouts return from that land with a bunch of grapes so large that it takes two men to carry them on a pole - just a taste of the blessing God has in store. But, like most decisions that lead to great blessing, there are great challenges to face on the way to the blessing. In this case, walled cities and giants in the land.
One of the scouts, Caleb, says to the people, "'We should go up and take possession of the land." But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We can't...'" There are the two voices that fight it out on the brink of great blessing - "We should." ... "We can't."
Caleb and Joshua see the people are ready to retreat. So, they tell them, "The land ... is exceedingly good ... the Lord will give it to us. Only do not rebel ... do not be afraid ... the Lord is with us" (Numbers 14:7-9). The giants looked bigger than the Lord to those people, and they make their decision. The challenge is just too great - we won't go for it. And God says, here are His words: "Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home. Your children will be suffering for your unfaithfulness. You will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have Me against you" (Numbers 14:30-34). Wow.
God said to His ancient people - and perhaps to you and me, "There is so much I have wanted to give you, but you made the wrong choice. You focused on the obstacles, on your inadequacy, on the negative input, and not on My power and My promise. You will never see the great blessing I wanted you to have."
Just as a businessman learned when he passed up what turned out to be a golden - actually, golden arches - opportunity, you can miss great treasure if you make the wrong decision. The decisions you make really matter. You may be standing on the edge of great blessing right now, facing a great challenge. Making the right decision means having the right focus - on your great God, not on the giants. "The land is exceedingly good ... do not rebel ... do not be afraid ... the Lord is with you."