I’m sure with a little digging we could find something beneath the surface, but there is one thing laying right on top that catches my eye.
To be honest, there isn’t a great deal here that seems like it applies to my every day life. I’m not saying there isn’t something here, I’m just saying that I don’t see it today. The great thing about reading the Bible is that new thoughts and ideas pop out to you every time you read it. The next time I read this passage I might see something that really helps me.
Today, however my eye only catches the comment made by the leaders of the tribe of Manasseh. Apparently they had more people than would fit into the allotment of land they received, so they went to Joshua to see what could be done about it. Joshua invites them to take over some prime real estate in the valley, and he suggests that they increase their territory in the forests. But the initial response of the tribes is to fret about the giants that live in the forest, and the iron chariots and fortified cities that currently exist in the lowlands. Either they are afraid, or they lack faith..and since this passage says they were experienced soldiers who had already conquered many other towns….it doesn’t seem like they were cowards.
Why is it so hard for us to continue to live in victory? These tribes had been routing everyone they met, and now even though nothing has changed they are suddenly pulling back! So what if there are giants! The community has already killed giants, remember the guy with the 13 foot long bed a few chapters back? Deuteronomy 3 King Og was his name, and the writer says that he was the last of his kind. If he was, I wonder who the people were afraid of that were living in the forest?
As I have already said, this very thing happens to us. We are living a life of victory, and somehow we become doubtful, afraid or something….maybe lazy, maybe too content. We begin making decisions that aren’t based on faith. Why would Manasseh be worried about iron chariots? God is able! Where did that thought come from?
Looking at myself, and the ministry here at YFMC, I find that I need to take a lesson here. God has prospered the church and the people, and He hasn’t ever left us or let us down. Generations have served Him and found Him faithful, and we have evidence all around us today of the incredible faithfulness of God. Is today a good day to rest and relax and quit taking territory? No, of course not. Is today a day to worry about how God will meet the needs of the future? No, it isn’t. The Lord has seen us through to this point, and He will continue to see us all the way through to the second coming, or the millenium. God is faithful, and those who serve Him win in the end.
In fact, we aren’t just victors in heaven, we are victors NOW. We are overcomers!
Faithfully,
PR