Joshua 18:2–3: “But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance. Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: ‘How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?’”

In Joshua 16 to 18 we find that the Israelites arrived at their beloved Canaan land and the land is being divided among the tribes.

As the children of Israel finally began to take possession of their inheritance, a large amount of time had passed since the first 5 tribes had settled in their territories.

These remaining 7 tribes were satisfied with their life on the western bank of the Jordan River.

In verse 3, Joshua had to urge them to possess the land.

Why would they not want to possess their land?

Why did they stay there and not go take all that God had for them?

It’s probably because these are people who had not lived in permanent dwellings for more than a generation, and they were afraid of something new, even if it was good.

The Israelites needed to physically step on the ground in order to claim the land as their own.

But they were afraid of anything new. They lacked the faith and courage to go where God wanted to take them.

Whatever the exact reason, the bottom line was neglect.
They did not fulfill what God had called them to do.

That is the reason, Joshua asked them,
“How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?”

Today, God asks us the same question!!!.-

How long are we going to be lazy, self-preserving, fearful, and unwilling to possess that God had us to get?

Many of us today become satisfied with the status quo and grow tired of the battle.

God has given us certain talents and gifts, but He will never force us to use them.

If God is basically on the outskirts of our mind, we might be spiritually lazy.
It’s normal for Christians to experience times where worldly thoughts crowd out thoughts of God.

When we are spiritually lazy, we are missing the opportunity to reveal God’s strength and wisdom to play out in our lives.

Laziness cheats us by keeping us still.

But when we get up for God, abundant life becomes as real as Jesus described.

Step out of the boat and onto the water as Peter did.

Our eternal reward depends upon our behaviour.

Jooley Mathew Z
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