Highlights In Today's Reading:
Caleb gets his mountain (14:6-13). Note the age of this senior citizen who was not ready to retire! As the tribes receive their inheritance notice how precise the boundries are laid out. Yet even today the enemies of God are determined to force Israel out of the land that God gave them.
Who can fail to see the guidance of God in the lives of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, or in Israel's conquest of Canaan? The children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan. . . . as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and a half tribe on the other side Jordan (14:1-3). The two and one half tribes wanted what in human judgment appeared to be best for them. However, only God knows what is best for our future. Nevertheless, each one of us is responsible for developing our spiritual opportunities. God chooses His servants and bestows His gifts to all who have the desire and determination to serve Him and see the importance of becoming involved in building His Kingdom (Matthew 20:16; Philippians 2:13).
Accomplishing the will of God never comes by just waiting for a more convenient time but through obedience to the voice of Him who alone knows what is best. God knows how much we can bear; how much prosperity or adversity we are able to withstand in serving Him. Like Job we can say: He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). God had been preparing the tribes of Israel for four hundred years for their respective inheritances. From the call of Abraham onward, numerous events show the Lord's preparation for the Israelites to occupy the promised land.
Just think! God's choice is interwoven with the willing efforts of His own people to fulfill His will. The land was to be divided to each of the twelve tribes as God directed.
As the believer yields his self-will, there becomes a growing revelation of the Lord's perfect will (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:2). When Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, then no Christian is ever left to chance but God has a wonderful plan for every life — God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and He always gives His best to those who leave the choice to Him.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ . . . that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:3-4).
Thought for Today:
A committed Christian is one who has learned to submit to God's will. Jesus is saying to all of us: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God (James 4:6-7).
Christ Portrayed:
By Caleb, who wholly followed the Lord (Joshua 14:8,14). Our Savior said: Lo, I come . . . to do Thy will, O God (Heb. 10:7,9).
Word Studies:
14:9 sware =b> promised under oath; 15:3 fetched a compass =b> circled around.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Official: Rep. Howard Coble (NC) • Country: Guatemala (12.3 million) in Central America • Major languages: Spanish and Indian languages • Religious freedom • 60% Catholic; 35% Protestant; 2% Animist; 1.5% Other; 1.5% None • Prayer Suggestion: Ask, seek, and knock through prayer, knowing God promises to answer (Matthew 7:7-8).
Optional Reading: John 9
Memory Verse for the Week: I Peter 1:16