Possess This Place

Scripture: The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The country was brought under their control, but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance. So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?" Joshua 18:1-3

Observation: Israel has taken the promised land, but it has not "possessed" it. There were two steps to the process. The first was to enter the land and evict all the other nations. However, the second step was to then populate the land ... to themselves become the residents of the promised land.

Application: I am AMAZED again at how quickly God answers prayer!!

Last night I laid in bed praying. It was again the prayer where I am saying, "Lord, I do not know what you want me to do, and I do not know why I am where I am in my daytime hours. I trust you, I will follow your direction, and I will 'dwell in the land,' but I don't know why I am here."

And today, here comes Joshua, saying, "You are here, you have control of the land, but you have not taken possession!!"

I am here. I am a leader - a director with teams and authority in the place - but I keep saying "okay, God, you put me in control here, show me what's next." And God is saying, "okay, I put you in control there, now take possession of the place!"

I am to possess this place. Not control in a professional context, but possess in a spiritual context ... I am to make this a place overseen by Yahweh. I am to establish a claim that says this place will be a place governed by the law of Christ, with that law exhibited through me. I am to lay claim on this place for Jesus. I am to possess this place in a way that glorifies God, and makes others seek Jesus. It is to become a place of patience, peace, love, and joy, and that must start with me as God's appointed resident and steward in this 'land'.

I better get started ... I'm 12 years behind schedule!!!

Prayer: Thank you AGAIN, Lord, for answering my prayers. I am going to continue with this line of prayer, but in the future I hope to use the word 'how' more than 'why'. You are so awesome! Amen.