"I Can't" or "I Won't"
Scripture: Joshua 17:14-18
14 The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?” 15 Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live. 16 The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us. 17 Then Joshua said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion. 18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
Observations:
As the Israelites began to occupy the Promised Land, Joshua allotted each tribe a specific area for their families to settle in as he was directed by the Lord through Moses. However, frequently the Bible records statements that allude to the fact that various tribes "were unable to occupy these towns. They could not drive out the Canaanites who continued to live there." (17:13). The question that quickly arises is then, "Were they unable to occupy the land or unwilling?" In the preceding chapters God made it abundantly clear that He had already given them the entire Promised Land but it was up to each tribe to make war against the Canaanites in their territory and drive them out with God's help. From a human perspective, the Canaanites were bigger and stronger, and some of the tribes were fearful as to whether or not they would be able to conquer them. Joshua's response went something like this, "Look, if you want what God has promised you then all of you go pick up your swords and go fight! What are yall complaining about? God has guaranteed you success! You can have as much or as little of the land promised to you as you are willing to fight for. Now get to it!!"
Application:
The fact is God has already given us numerous promises as His people, many of which sound too good to be true. But everything that God has promised us will come true, IF we are willing to be obedient to do what He has already asked us to do. It's not that we just can't seem to find God's favor, it's that we haven't be willing to fully obey the truth we already know. It's not that we can't experience more of God's blessings, it's that there are still clear instructions God has already given us that He is waiting on us to obey. It's not that we can't know God more, it's that we are still unwilling to fully surrender ourselves to Him and haven't completely decided to give Him everything He has already asked of us. The fact is, each of us has right now as much or as little of God as we want. God has already done everything for us and given us everything we need to live the life He has called us to and experience the fullness of His blessings on our lives. "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.(2 Peter 1:3-4). When it comes to our relationship with God, who is infinite and for whom nothing is impossible, it's never "I can't", it's always "I won't". Which one are you?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for Your exceedingly great promises to us and Your desire to abundantly bless our lives. Help us to shed our excuses today for why we "can't" obey and help us to live up to our full potential in You. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
14 The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?” 15 Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live. 16 The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us. 17 Then Joshua said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion. 18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
Observations:
As the Israelites began to occupy the Promised Land, Joshua allotted each tribe a specific area for their families to settle in as he was directed by the Lord through Moses. However, frequently the Bible records statements that allude to the fact that various tribes "were unable to occupy these towns. They could not drive out the Canaanites who continued to live there." (17:13). The question that quickly arises is then, "Were they unable to occupy the land or unwilling?" In the preceding chapters God made it abundantly clear that He had already given them the entire Promised Land but it was up to each tribe to make war against the Canaanites in their territory and drive them out with God's help. From a human perspective, the Canaanites were bigger and stronger, and some of the tribes were fearful as to whether or not they would be able to conquer them. Joshua's response went something like this, "Look, if you want what God has promised you then all of you go pick up your swords and go fight! What are yall complaining about? God has guaranteed you success! You can have as much or as little of the land promised to you as you are willing to fight for. Now get to it!!"
Application:
The fact is God has already given us numerous promises as His people, many of which sound too good to be true. But everything that God has promised us will come true, IF we are willing to be obedient to do what He has already asked us to do. It's not that we just can't seem to find God's favor, it's that we haven't be willing to fully obey the truth we already know. It's not that we can't experience more of God's blessings, it's that there are still clear instructions God has already given us that He is waiting on us to obey. It's not that we can't know God more, it's that we are still unwilling to fully surrender ourselves to Him and haven't completely decided to give Him everything He has already asked of us. The fact is, each of us has right now as much or as little of God as we want. God has already done everything for us and given us everything we need to live the life He has called us to and experience the fullness of His blessings on our lives. "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.(2 Peter 1:3-4). When it comes to our relationship with God, who is infinite and for whom nothing is impossible, it's never "I can't", it's always "I won't". Which one are you?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for Your exceedingly great promises to us and Your desire to abundantly bless our lives. Help us to shed our excuses today for why we "can't" obey and help us to live up to our full potential in You. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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