Claiming Our Promised Land
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Joshua 16:1-10; 17:1-18 and Psalm 17 (NIV)
(Desmond Chan, SGM – Core Team)
READ:
Joshua 16:1-10; 17:1-18 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The Joshua passage is full of promise and anticipation. As each tribe is allotted their land, it reminds us that we have an inheritance. We can be victorious in claiming and living out this inheritance.
Each tribe of Israel was allotted land, from which they had to dislodge the Canaanites, the inhabitants living there. However, the Israelites faced difficulties driving out the Canaanites from the land as some of the Canaanites had iron chariots and were determined to stay in the land (Joshua 17:12, 16). But Joshua encouraged the Israelites, telling them they were very powerful and though the Canaanites had chariots fitted with iron, the Israelites could drive them out (Joshua 17:18b).
Interestingly, Zelophehad’s daughters stepped forward and asked for their allotment of land from Joshua (Joshua 17:3-4). Despite it being in a patriarchal society at that time, they desired to do their part to take the land.
APPLY:
Like the Israelites, we have been given an allotment of land in the form of our discipleship journey as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to be serious and intentional in taking ownership of our discipleship journey. This is required of all who have come to the faith, regardless of our place in society or the community, like the daughters of Zelophehad.
In our discipleship journey, we will also face difficult Canaanites. These can be in the form of life challenges and poor habits, which often make us feel defeated. We find it a challenge to maintain a regular practice of daily spiritual disciplines that transform our inner man to be more like Christ in our daily conduct.
Like the Israelites, we need not feel defeated as we too are powerful (Joshua 17:17) and we will be able to overcome and drive out the Canaanites in our lives. This is achieved through empowerment from God in the person of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). God is a generous God who is most willing to empower His disciples to be victorious if only we ask for it (Luke 11: 13). There is no limit to God’s empowerment as He is limitless in power. He freely gives and it is available to us at all times as God doesn’t sleep or slumber (Psalms 121:4). So let’s just pray and ask!
DO:
I will:
- Take ownership of my own discipleship journey and run my race well (Hebrews 12:1).
- Always look to God, and not rely on my own strength, depending on His strength through the Holy Spirit to overcome challenges in my life, be they external circumstances or my inner self.
- Let prayer be my first response and not a last resort for all the challenges that I face. Pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to empower me each day as I live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- Find friends, mentors, a community (e.g. Small Group), the Joshuas, that can speak into my life to encourage and affirm me in my discipleship journey.
PRAY:
Holy Spirit, fill me afresh. Renew me each day with the physical and spiritual strength that I need.
LORD God, I speak over my life that I will live out and experience the victorious Christian life each day.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
