Today’s reading: Joshua 17:7-18; Ephesians 2:10 (MSG)
God wants and expects us to do our part as we live out our lives following Him. We see that with the Israelites throughout the Book of Joshua. God tells them that He has given them the Promised Land, but He doesn’t usher them into a land that is conquered and prepared for their every need. Instead, God requires them to arise and go and take the land. Ephesians 2:10 conveys well the essence of God’s desire for us to “do our part.”
“He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” (MSG).
Although the territory allotted to Joseph’s descendants was large, they were unhappy with it. They complain to Joshua about only receiving one lot when they are such a large and blessed population. Joshua acknowledges their size and strength, and then directs them to clear out the forest and hill country to give them adequate space (instructing them to “do their part”). Balking at this directive, they point out that the Caananites living in the land have chariots of iron. Joshua restates the directive to clear the land, and reassures them about their great numbers and might and how they will possess the land to its farthest borders.
Do you think of yourself as a worker for and with God? Why is this important? How do we benefit when we “do our part” with God? What does God sharing the workload with us convey and communicate about how God views and feels about us as His children? Tami
Join the discussion on the P4 Blog
Source: Tami’s Blog