March 14
2016
Go out and possess the land!
Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at
Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.
But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance.Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you? “Pick out from among you three men for each tribe, and I will send them; they shall rise and go through the land, survey it according to their inheritance, and come back to me.
Joshua 18:1-4
Happy Monday!
It is a beautiful sunny day here in Porters Lake
Although a bit chilly.
Nico and I are working our way into a new routine
Now that I am working from home.
He has had his breakfast
Been brushed
Had his drink out of the tap
Has followed me around for an appropriate amount of time.
He is now napping.
I’ve had time for devotions
Enjoyed my tea
Hula hooped
And have been working for several hours.
Monday’s are full of newness
New time change
New Sunny morning
New work responsibilities
New yoga pants
NEW!
Although I’m quite a piece past Joshua in my devotions
The Lord brought these verses to mind this morning.
The Lord had gone ahead of the Israelites into the Promised Land.
As He promised he led them to victory
Driving out the enemy before them .
But now in Joshua 18, although we read that the land has been conquered,
We also read that 7 of the tribes have not yet claimed their inheritance.
As I read through this passage this morning I thought, how like the tribes of Israel we are!
How many times has the Lord gone before us
Defeating out enemy
Preparing a path for us into the promised land?
The land is subdued before us
And yet we wait.
The finished work of Christ is done!
The promised land is before us
And yet we stand still.
Waiting.
On what?
On tomorrow
On others
On finances
On feelings
Procrastinating
And failing to take possession of our blessing.
The Lord is waiting too
On us!
Today the Father is calling out to each one of us
“How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?”
Go now
Pick a search party
And go
Survey the land
And come back
Ready to move forth and possess the inheritance that is already yours
in Christ Jesus.
You are a Child of the King of Kings
You are a daughter or son of the Most High
Why are you living
Lost
Scared
And timid?
Today is the day of new beginnings.
Stand up
Brush yourself off
And do one thing
Anything
To move forward into your inheritance.
If you don’t know Christ as Lord and Saviour
That’s a good place to start
Bow your knee
Surrender your heart
Confess your sin
Give it over to the one who died on the Cross for you.
If you know Christ
But haven’t been walking with Him
Bow your knee
Surrender your heart
Confess your sin
Give it over to the one who died on the Cross for you.
If you are walking with Christ
But have been walking timid
Bow your knee
Surrender your heart
Confess your sin
Give it over to the one who died on the Cross for you.
Now,
Lift your hands and praise the Lord!
And
Stand up and begin to possess the land!