The Land Is Before You

Introduction

American Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776

Revolutionary War - April 19, 1795 - Sep. 3, 1783

Okay, now what? Expansion.

Israel. “The land lay subdued before them.”

Now what? God has done this work, now what?

The church today. God has brought us together. Resourced us. Blessed us with people filled with talents, gifts, and passion.

Now what?

Keep Faith As Your Foundation

vv. 1-2

A return to Shiloh. This place where they had set-up memorial stones to remember what God had done for them already.

Now they return to this sacred space and set-up the tent of meeting. Where Moses would meet with God. Now they set it up realizing that they need God just as much as they move forward. They were not done.

Years in ministry and the reminder that there are many who are no longer seeking after Jesus. In a sense, they have moved on…or at least moved away…from their beliefs. And you see the discontent in their lives. Relationships, Purpose, Family.

And I can’t help but to wonder how their lives would be if they’d kept their faith as their foundation.

Your personal faith is always relevant.

It always matters! Life decisions should be considered in light of God’s plan for your life. How can He use you?

Recently received a report from the Grace Rescue Mission and the Baptist Mission Center. They minister to the homeless and the economically disadvantaged. They meet physical needs and use that opportunity to share the Gospel to meet our greatest need, the need for a Savior. Desperate for pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and dentists. And I began to wonder, what if some of our students decided to go into these fields so that they could dedicate time to such valuable ministry!

What if our professional lives were relevant to our spiritual lives?

Take Action Today

vv. 3-5

The land had been subdued! And yet, some of the tribes were not yet going in to inhabit the lands! God had given it to them, and yet they had not fulfilled what He was calling them to finish. Sitting idly by after God had done such a great work.

I wonder sometimes if we are not sitting idly by after Christ has accomplished something so great for us on the cross.

Fully and faithfully purse a growing relationship with Jesus.

Maybe you haven’t been. You don’t have to wait until the New Year. Begin today. Just start reading a chapter a day from the Gospel of John.

Then stack another spiritual discipline on that, just a few minutes in prayer. Even integrating the two where you allow Scripture to prompt you to pray.

Trust God’s Guidance

vv. 6-7

These final tribes would, in a way, draw straws for each of these allotments. But, it wasn’t to be given to chance. The fact that they were to do this at Shiloh before God, they were trusting Him to guide this process. Even the allocation of these allotments would occur under God’s guidance.

Sovereignty = God is in control

God has the right to shape any aspect to our life.

Some people try to apply this down to the minutia of life, like what socks you are wearing today.

Difference, some things that are inconsequential. They just don’t matter to the Kingdom of God.

But, some things do. Wisdom and maturity allow us to discern the difference.

Cosmic chess player. Create circumstances to move us in a direction. Ultimately, we trust His love and knowledge for us.

Keep A Record Of The Relationship

vv. 8-10

As they traveled through the Promised Land, they were to write down what they saw, to keep a sopher. This book or document or scroll was to contain their experiences within this fulfillment of God’s promised Covenant.

Land = Covenant = Relationship

Record what God is doing.

This is helpful for you as you grow in your faith.

Document your faith. Consider getting a notebook and as you read Scripture to take some notes. What stood out to you?

What does this tell me about God?

What does this tell me about the world?

What is the core idea of this text?

What does this tell me about Jesus?

How can I apply this to my life?

Conclusion

Now what?

If you a follower of Jesus, the Promised Land of a dynamic relationship with God has been opened up before you. What will you do with it? Be an outside observer? Watch others take ownership of their faith by being active in the church? Listen to the testimonies of others as they share about the way God continues to move in their lives?

Or will you move in? Take ownership and develop your faith.

Own and grow your faith.