Did you know that several years after Joshua and Israel had moved into Canaan, there were still seven Tribes who had not yet taken possession of their portions of the Land ? (Josh. 18) So Joshua asked them, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?" They were still living like wanderers. Here they stood, on the edge of God’s gift to them, loitering instead of occupying.
Showing posts with label joshua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joshua. Show all posts
Friday, January 13, 2012
Living on Purpose
The other day I was talking to one of my former students, a bright young man full of ambition. But he confesses to wasting a lot of time—video games, TV, Facebook—none of which contribute anything to his life goals. I assured him his situation is not uncommon. Our culture offers us so many empty things with which to occupy ourselves! I call it "loitering."
Did you know that several years after Joshua and Israel had moved into Canaan, there were still seven Tribes who had not yet taken possession of their portions of the Land ? (Josh. 18) So Joshua asked them, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?" They were still living like wanderers. Here they stood, on the edge of God’s gift to them, loitering instead of occupying. Jesus said “Occupy ‘til I come” (Lk. 19:13). But like the seven Tribes many Christians have never taken full possession of God's plan and purpose. They may tell you they are waiting on God, but they are really just 'waiting around.' Genuine waiting on God means occupying yourself with God's purposes (Col 3:2). That's hard to do when you are predisposed and preoccupied. That's what the the seven loitering Tribes picture for us. So, what did I tell my former student? I said, "Put up a sign in your heart that says 'No Loitering,' and start Living on Purpose."
Did you know that several years after Joshua and Israel had moved into Canaan, there were still seven Tribes who had not yet taken possession of their portions of the Land ? (Josh. 18) So Joshua asked them, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?" They were still living like wanderers. Here they stood, on the edge of God’s gift to them, loitering instead of occupying. 
Monday, January 10, 2011
"Don't Stop Believin"
"Don't Stop Believin,” a popular song by the rock band ‘Journey’ (1981), was described by Billboard Magazine as "an anthem for the young who wanted to feel free and unrestricted.” What a great analogy for Christian over-comers—those who refuse to live by the restrictions of the visible realm; choosing to believe in the God without limitations (Mark 10:27). God delights to see His people trust Him in the midst of gigantic problems that no man can solve. At such times, we prove we believe in an almighty God.
When the Israelites heard of the size of the giants of Canaan, they said to themselves, "These giants are too big to handle." God’s response was “Don’t’ be afraid; I will fight for you, just as I did in Egypt?" But they refused to trust God, and ended up in a desert of despair, wilderness wanderers, for the next 40 years.
The writer of Hebrews says they remained in the Wilderness because of unbelief. Certainly, at one point in time, they believed! When did they stop believing the God who had delivered them from Egypt? (When did we?) God is looking for men like Joshua and Caleb, who will believe and proclaim that there is nothing impossible for God. Canaan still waits for those who won't stop believin.
When the Israelites heard of the size of the giants of Canaan, they said to themselves, "These giants are too big to handle." God’s response was “Don’t’ be afraid; I will fight for you, just as I did in Egypt?" But they refused to trust God, and ended up in a desert of despair, wilderness wanderers, for the next 40 years.
The writer of Hebrews says they remained in the Wilderness because of unbelief. Certainly, at one point in time, they believed! When did they stop believing the God who had delivered them from Egypt? (When did we?) God is looking for men like Joshua and Caleb, who will believe and proclaim that there is nothing impossible for God. Canaan still waits for those who won't stop believin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)