In Joshua 18, the time had finally come for a powerful question.
Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them. (18:1)
The wilderness had been crossed and a new leader had been appointed (Josh 1). The promised land had been spied out (2). Israel had crossed the Jordan (3). The walls of Jericho had fallen (6). The city of Ai had been burned. The covenant with the LORD had been renewed (8). The plans of the Amorite and Canaanite kings hadn’t stood a chance (10). From north to south, east to west (10-11), “the land lay subdued” before the people of Israel. The LORD was fulfilling his good promises to the descendants of Abraham, and yet…
There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (18:2-3)
It was a specific question in a specific circumstance to a specific group of people, but the principle is worth meditating upon today. “How long will you put it off? How much time will you let pass before you claim what the Lord has so graciously made available?”
In what areas of my own life do I need to come face to face with the same question? How long will you put it off…?
Leaving the pigpen of the far country behind. Stepping away from conformity to this world. The washing away of my sins in baptism. Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Healing. Reconciliation to the source of life. The opportunity to present my body as a living sacrifice to my Creator, holy and acceptable. Denying myself, taking up my cross, and following God’s Son. A new identity. A cleansed conscience. The renewal of my mind. A sense of belonging to something larger than myself. Equipping for the work of ministry. A noble task. Getting serious about self-sacrificial service. A transformed life. Peace with the past. Purpose in the present. Hope for the future. Faithful anticipation for the joyful return of my Savior and King…
How long will you put it off?
Your heavenly Father has graciously made these blessings and so much more available to you. He wants to give them to you, and he’s already accomplished everything necessary to do so. Are you putting any of them off? Failing to claim them by faith and wholeheartedly applying yourself to the journey ahead? If so, why? What could possibly be worth being left on the outside, looking in?
Miss these undeserved blessings, and you miss everything that really matters.