“Oh, I couldn’t possibly take that, but thank you for thinking of me!”
“Why not? It’s my gift to you. I want to give it to you. Take it!”
“No, I just couldn’t…”
Have you ever had this conversation with someone? Their generosity toward you is overwhelming. You don’t feel entitled to the gift they are giving.
Imagine if Joshua and the people of Israel responded to God that way, before they crossed the Jordan.
“Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.” Joshua 1:2-3 NASB
“Oh, Lord God, no, really…we can’t take ALL that land! It’s too much!”
“But, I’ve told you over and over (Genesis 15:18, Numbers 33:53, Deuteronomy 11:24, Joshua 1:2-3)…I’m GIVING you the land. Take it!”
There are so many reasons we don’t take the land God has given us. We’re afraid, so we tell Him “No”; there’s a trust issue, and we don’t think we heard Him correctly. But if we’ve discerned through prayer, His word and Godly counsel, that He has indeed given the land, then we need to take it!
It took years before I freely admitted that I was a writer. God wants ME to write? Why? I love it but how could He possibly use my simple words? I know many fellow writers who have had the same thoughts.
Is there land you haven’t taken? Perhaps you’re an author who hasn’t penned the book the Lord laid on your heart; did God open a door for you that you didn’t walk through; did you turn down the ministry or committee position that you felt God had just for you? Why didn’t you take the land?
Let’s think about what happens when we don’t take the land.
We will have missed a God-given opportunity to use our gifts for God’s glory. There are people in our sphere of influence who need what we have to give. God has given us this particular land for a reason. He has a purpose and a plan for us. We may not see the full picture this side of heaven, but trust that He has a plan for us.
If we don’t take the land God has given, those opportunities will float right by us. We may begin drifting through our days with no real sense of purpose. Add to that, the regret we will have and the “what if” questions we will ask and wonder about.
Now, what happens when we do take the land God has given us?
• God promises not to abandon us (Joshua 1:5)
• God promises to be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9)
There may be battles, but God has promised He has given the land. He will fight for us. God is on our side. He won’t leave or forsake us. He just asks for our obedience. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)
Now go – take the land!
Grace be with you,
May God help us rise above every limitation and not let His favour and blessings go to waste in our lives. More of us need to just go and take the land!
Amen, Boma! Thank you for all your encouragement!
Thank goodness you “took” the land that He gave you and are using that talent for His glory! You are such a blessing to your readers… And just think of the blessings YOU would have missed along this journey had you turned down the gift of writing. Thanks for making me realize how blessed we are that we accepted His priceless gift of serving here in Cajun country alongside you and our precious Highland family. God is SO good!
Y’all took a HUGE step of faith moving here. I know it’s been hard recently, when your heart is at home with family. But know that we love and appreciate you!