- Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh… Joshua 17:1a – It’s too easy to get frustrated with God when you see others receiving their blessing before you. Like them, you’ve been waiting, maybe even longer than they have, and maybe you’ve even been working harder than they have been. Still what you see is God blessing them and you still in the waiting period. What you must remember, and what this passage tells us, is that God doesn’t forget about those who follow Him. Yes, we may see those around us receiving their blessing before us and we may have the temptation to be frustrated and discouraged because of that, but remember their receiving of their blessing doesn’t cancel out the receiving of your blessing. God has enough at His disposal to bless them and you. Trust He understands His timing and be faithful to Him till your time comes. Just know He has not forgotten about you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more -Mac
- Joshua 17 Daily DEVO And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” Joshua 17:15 – The blessing of God for them was right at their fingertips, but in order for them to have it they would have to put something into the process. They were going to have to work at clearing the land and were going to have to face strong enemies who had tools they didn’t possess. It was theirs for the taking, but it was going to require some work from them. Much is it the same with us. While the promise of eternal life with God doesn’t cost us anything, that’s all on Jesus, stepping into the mission will cost us. It will cost us our comfort, our preferences, and even our lives. What though comes out of giving up all that is a prize worth fighting for, people coming to know about Jesus. Stepping into your purpose in life will cost you, but the result of seeing people step into the promise land that you’ve already stepped into makes it all worth it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1181
- Joshua 17 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” Joshua 17:16 – For context, Joshua is now again giving out which section of the promise land goes to which tribe for their new home. Joshua lays out the area for the people of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim), and the immediate response is “not good enough.” Reasons were given like we’re just too big for that small area or the people there are tough and we can beat them. Joshua remains unwavering in decision, but makes it clear that in order for this land amount to work for them, effort from their end to clear the land of what’s in it was needed. It was enough, but work was still needed. As we serve the Lord and takes steps of following Him, often we will find ourselves exactly where we prayed for and desired for so long to be at. In a relationship, in a job, with a kid, in a new place, etc. And while exactly what we prayed for, there may still be a load of struggle to face within it. For the people of Joseph they found themselves in the promise land being handed their share of land, but even the promise didn’t come absent of effort to take hold of. Don’t be shocked, confused, or bewildered then when the promise you prayed for isn’t as easy to exist in as you thought. It’s not that you messed up and are being punished and it’s not that you went the wrong direction. You very well may be exactly where God wants you, yet even there we’ll find struggle. Of course pray and seek direction and discernment on if this is truly God’s path. If though the answer is this is where God wants you, lean on Him for help to clear the land of those chariots and trees. It may not be easy, but it is where God has called you too, and He will help you every step of the way. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2476
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