I have been studying the last few days about the promises of God. My focus went to Abraham and the Promise Land (Genesis 11) Sometimes we have a vision that God gives us, but for some reason, we can not accomplish what God has set before us. We pray to seek Him and go through the motions of what we think will get us to the promise land. All this but not realizing that there are squatters on the promises God gave us. While studying this topic I came across this story.

This man had a vast estate, it was more land than he could ever use or develop? He paid taxes on it and rode the perimeter of the property to check on his estate on occasion.

One day he noticed some evidence of someone “squatting” on his land. An old log cabin at the edge of the property shows signs of being used. Oh well, they aren’t hurting anybody, are they? I have more than enough? Live and let live; that’s what I always say.

Years later the property was passed to my son. He remembered how he rode with me on certain occasions to inspect the land. I never did anything about the squatters so neither will he. He figures I had a reason for letting them live there. Anyhow, by now they’ve lived there so long they have established a little vegetable garden and they’ve put up some new buildings.

Finally, all the vast holdings pass to the third generation – my grandson. But he’s got big plans for his inheritance. Squatters are not welcome. He boldly tells them to leave and they nod their head and go right back to business as usual. After all, they’ve lived here a long time and they’ve really settled in. Why should they listen to some fanatical man?

Next, my grandson goes to court and gets an eviction notice and posts it on the door. They think that’s mighty irritating and tear it down. They decide to build a fence around their little spread with a “Keep Out” sign so he will get the message that they now consider this their land. After all, isn’t possession nine-tenths of the law?

My grandson wonders what it’s going to take but he isn’t giving up. He legally establishes his property line in court and then asks the sheriff to come out and remove them. They are physically ejected but they hover around just over the line. When things settle down, they plan to return.

My grandson is far smarter than me or my son, however. He immediately tears down every building they used and destroys the garden, the fence and every trace of them ever having been there. Nor does he leave the land vacant. He begins to build something new. The squatters never return. They move on down the road and find a small abandoned cabin on someone else’s property and start over again. There will always be landowners who put up with squatters!

That story is an example of how the enemy tries to live on your land, even through multiple generations.

The Lord said, the land He’s given us, which is our inheritance as the spiritual seed of Abraham and our being a joint-heir with Jesus of all things from the Father (Romans 8:16-17)

“He that believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”. (John 7:38)

We are not enjoying the GOOD, FRUITFUL, PRODUCTIVE and FERTILE covenant land He’s given us. It is because we’ve allowed squatters to come upon our land. He said, “they have taken bits and pieces of it until we become so hindered that we feel we cannot move in our destiny. You come to the place where you ever wonder what’s good about this land? No matter what you do in planting your fields, it‘s not fruitful. It’s not producing. Instead of the land is fertile, you find that it’s acting more like a land that’s barren.

What happens is that a squatter sneaks to the edge somewhere and squats down in a way that doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of difference, to begin with. He may use some sin you consider insignificant to gain entry. Just a white lie, just one X-rated video, shoplifting small stuff, partying with friends, or may you use the phrase “I am just telling you about this person so you can pray for them” it’s still gossip.

Don’t forget, however; “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations”. (Exodus 20:5) Whatever sin you allow in your life is a curse not only for you but your future generations unless you repent and tear down that house.

In order to remove these squatters, we have to take an unmovable stand of faith. It means to get on the offense–to get aggressive. Not high-minded and proud but in the kind of humility where you know Who God is In you and you’re confident of who you are In Him.

Why do we allow demonic squatters on our land? Is it because we think it won’t matter too much? Do we have a lazy, live and let live attitude? Are we afraid to do what it takes to remove them permanently?

God has passed to each of us an inheritance, filled with endless possibilities. We are meant to use all he has given us for our pleasure and enjoyment here on earth and for his glory now and in eternity. Waste nothing! Guard every inch that is yours. Build praise and thanksgiving and a humble heart on every acre and allow no room for squatters.

By: EW