Based on Joshua 16 (New King James Version)
“The lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan, by Jericho, to the waters of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains to Bethel, then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth, and went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea. So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. The border of the children of Ephraim, according to their families, was thus: The border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth Addar as far as Upper Beth Horon. And the border went out toward the sea on the north side of Michmethath; then the border went around eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed by it on the east of Janohah. Then it went down from Janohah to Ataroth and Naarah, reached to Jericho, and came out at the Jordan. The border went out from Tappuah westward to the Brook Kanah, and it ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages. And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.”
Nick Vujicic said: “Often times we feel like either we can't make a world of difference, or we feel that it's not going to change anything anyway. The truth is you can change someone's day, you can change someone's life, but you have to show up and do what you got to do to actually see any fruit coming from it.” Nick Vujicic is someone that God uses a lot in my life to remind me that nothing is impossible for Him; that God can do great and incredible things through a person that trusts God and is faithful to Him. God also uses him to remind me that my personal challenges are not that great in comparison. Why? Nick is a person that was born without arms or legs. Despite this tragic and obvious difficult challenge that Nick faces daily, he manages to do more things than many people (including those that have their arms and legs). He witnesses to thousands of people across the world about the love of God and that nothing is impossible for Him, if you believe and obey Him. This is for God’s glory of course, and also related to today’s passage. Just think, if a man like Nick was able to find hope in God, share the Gospel with hundreds of thousands of people, get a college education, have his life in order and being able to help others, etc., what is holding back so many other people that have more than him (humanly speaking)?
We read today that the children of Joseph and Ephraim received lands by lot (or by luck). These lands were part of the promise that God fulfilled after freeing the children of Israel from Egypt. These lands were not free. It took the Mighty Hand of God through the many battles the people of Israel fought to acquire these lands. The Bible teaches us that these lands had mighty inhabitants, even men that were giants in stature. The conquests were not easy, and as we read, not complete either (the people did not obey fully). But nonetheless, these lands were what God gave them so they can make something from them; to live off of and prosper from them. They were and are a possession that has incredible potential.
God gives us all something or somethings. We all have some sort of ability or things we can put to good use. What we need to understand is that we are given these things for a reason. There is a reason why we have what we have. Everything we have should ultimately be used for the purpose that God has ordained them for. God is in the business of producing incredible things through even the simplest of things; but they must be put in His disposition. We all have something to give.
The Lord shared the following: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30.
The way we can do the best we can with what we got is by being more than just religious. We need to obey Him; follow His Word. It’s about basing your life on God’s Truth and not your opinion or on society’s opinion. For it is written: “For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’” Jeremiah 7:22-23. So, are you doing the best you can with what you have by allowing for Christ to be the Lord of your life, and obeying His Word, no matter what? Lord bless! John