Scripture:

“When Joshua was an old man, the Lord said to him, ‘You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered. This is the territory that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and the Geshurites, and the larger territory of the Canaanites, extending from the stream of Shihor on the border of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron. It includes the territory of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. The land of the Avvites in the south also remains to be conquered. In the north, the following area has not yet been conquered: all the land of the Canaanites, including Mearah (which belongs to the Sidonians), stretching northward to Aphek on the border of the Amorites; the land of the Gebalites and all of the Lebanon mountain area to the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath; and all the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, including all the land of the Sidonians.’

‘I myself will drive these people out of the land ahead of the Israelites. So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you. Include all this territory as Israel’s possession when you divide this land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh’.” Joshua 13:1 -7 (NLT)

 

Perspective:

God had promised the Israelites a significant amount of land when they entered the Promised Land. However, even with their best efforts, taking hold of that promise came with limitations. Joshua was running out of time to lead the Israelites in conquering all that God intended for the people. Yet, God was not limited by one person. Empty land would be overtaken by wild animals, so it would have to be part of a strategic plan. He wanted Joshua to entrust each tribe in Israel with the portions of land that had yet to be conquered. God promised to drive the people out before the Israelites. He would make a way. So, Joshua followed God’s instructions, and each tribe was assigned the additional regions that they had yet to lay foot on. It was as if God was saying to the people that He wasn’t quite finished with what He had started. There was more for the people to receive.

 

What does God still have for you? You may have dug your hand into the bucket of God’s blessing and have a hard time imagining that there could be more. You might have made it your Promised Land, but there is still depth to what God intends to do in your life. The promises and blessings aren’t shallow. Even when Joshua was approaching the end of his life, God still had more for the people. Isn’t that reassuring? God doesn’t run out even when we do. He keeps giving. So the next time you think that you’ve reached the final edge of what God can do, think again. There is more just on the other side of the promise that you are living.

 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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About Hona Amer

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