PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Joshua 15-16
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem.” (Joshua 15:63)
No reason is given as to why they could not win in Jerusalem.
Even though God was with them, they did not win everywhere.
It wasn’t until David hundreds of years later that they did (2 Samuel 5:6-10).
Maybe it reminds us that following Jesus doesn’t guarantee immediate success.
As we seek the kingdom with Jesus, we will face Jerusalem’s we can’t dislodge.
Jesus himself, the messianic Joshua and son of David, couldn’t dislodge Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem of his day remained closed to God’s mission and message.
And think of Jerusalem today, and how it is still a battlezone.
God’s kingdom unfolds in history over time, over centuries.
Sometimes it appears strong, and sometimes it appears weak.
But it is spreading, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
And one day, every knee will bow before messianic Joshua!
But in the moment, not even Jesus can dislodge every heart.
This reading reminds me not to give up when I do not see success.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to persevere when your love doesn’t have the positive results I hope for. Help me to trust in your timing and your ultimate win!
The areas of the promised land were assigned to all the tribes but not all the local people were displaced. It was up to the people now – the land was now theirs and they had control. But like a single rotten apple in a bushel – sin contaminates – the unacceptable worship practices of the local people crept back in. How would God’s people be able to stay true? How can I stay true as well? I need the presence of the HS – daily reminders in my devotions and walk of life – that I need Jesus! Help me to keep distractions away that contaminate my devotion to you!
These chapters describes the land given to the tribes of Israel – their inheritance. However not all the Canaanites were not destroyed. The children of Israel lived among them. The Canaanites were to do forced labour. God’s people received the land as their inheritance and yet the land was not cleansed. Living among the foreigners, they were also to be a witness to the people as God’s people serving Him and stay true to Him. At all times I need the upward look rather the downward look. God’s timing is always right and His ways will come to pass in His time, not mine. I just need to daily walk with my Lord.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.